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.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,146 lines we hold for Diane Forsythe, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 23 of 23.
“Public-sector workers deserve fair pay in return for the vital contribution that they make to delivering essential front-line services across the Province. That includes all groups of public-sector workers, with none left behind. Public-sector workers also deserve honesty as to what can be afforded and delivered at this time. We should not be in the business of misleading people on that, and to imply a commitment that all public-sector pay negotiations would be concluded by the end of this month should not be taken to lead people to believe that we are in the position to settle all awards in that time.”
“The First Minister and deputy First Minister will be in Washington DC next week for St Patrick's Day. What benefits do they aim to bring forward and deliver for Northern Ireland during that trip?”
“The lifeboat crews, the onshore support, the volunteers, fundraisers and all who are involved should stand proudly today as the entire community salutes their work to save lives. After 200 years, I thank them all and send best wishes for the future of the RNLI as it continues to be dedicated to saving lives at sea.”
“<BR /> <BR />Newcastle RNLI also played a critical role over the years. In 1843, when 16 fishing boats left Newcastle and Annalong in calm waters, a sudden change in the weather resulted in 73 people dying and 14 boats being sunk. The RNLI played a key role, and a silver medal was awarded to member George Thompson for the lives that he saved that day. <BR /> <BR />Both stations in my constituency are committed. They are cross-community and have male and female crew members. There is no discrimination in lives lost at sea. The RNLI should be commended for that. For seafarers from South Down, their last hope is often the RNLI volunteers, who risk their lives for others.”
“Teams of committed volunteers and staff have worked for all these years and have saved many lives through the Kilkeel station. Another important role that they play is in the recovery, for their families, of those who are, sadly, lost at sea. <BR /> <BR />On 14 February 2002, the Tullaghmurray Lass left Kilkeel harbour to fish and did not return. Three generations of the Greene family were lost that day. With an extensive search over the following weeks, the Kilkeel RNLI team played a key part in the recovery. That devastation tore the heart from the local community. Just two years later, another tragedy struck, with the loss of Colin Donnelly. Again, Kilkeel RNLI played a critical role in the recovery. We will remember those families always. A seafarers memorial is in place at Kilkeel harbour to remember all those who were lost.”
“Today, I mark the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which is dedicated to saving lives at sea. As we sit, a service of thanksgiving is taking place in Westminster Abbey, with local representatives in attendance, including the president of Kilkeel RNLI, Merwyn Hanna MBE. I thank all involved in the organisation for their commitment and dedicated service. Representing South Down and with family connections to the sea for generations, I truly value the brave work of the RNLI. <BR /> <BR />There are two RNLI stations in my constituency: Kilkeel and Newcastle. Kilkeel RNLI, the closest to me, was set up in the 1980s. Kilkeel's busy and vibrant fishing industry drove the need for a local station and lifeboats.”
“<BR /> <BR />In conclusion, there is a lot to be done to support the economic recovery from flooding. The immediate priority needs to be getting the support to those who are most affected and in need. It will be a long recovery process. It will require a joined-up effort with central Government, the local council and our community groups. We cannot take our eyes off the ball, and it is critical that the Department for Infrastructure takes urgent steps to ensure that it will not happen again and to reassure us of that. I thank the Economy Minister for attending this afternoon and for his prompt action in making funds available before the end of March. I call on him to support economic recovery programmes for the South Down area.”
“I call on the Department for Infrastructure to reassure the public by urgently publishing information about all the work that it has completed following the flood to assess the risk of repeat flooding; the measures that it has put in place to prevent future flooding; and its assessment of the integrity of the local roads system, including bridges, that details where rivers and floods have repeatedly compromised roads and the Department's actions on that. The Department needs to build public confidence that their infrastructure is safe and sufficient and that they are protected from future flooding. While the debate is focused on South Down, I also note the devastation that flooding caused to businesses in Newry, Portadown and Comber. We do not want to see that anywhere in Northern Ireland.”
“There is huge concern throughout the area, to which other contributors referred, that we might see such flooding again. For a long time, local rivers have experienced significant issues that have never been resolved and have worn away areas, which have compromised the road network. In the Kilkeel area, that was most evident when the main road into the town collapsed and the area was completely cut off until repairs were completed. <BR /> <BR />Also, localised flooding on a smaller scale has been a problem for a long time, with many issues failing to be addressed time and time again. That, alongside gullies not being emptied regularly, contributed to the issues that arose when we experienced severe weather and extreme rainfall. The cumulative effect of all those deficiencies was the absolute devastation that we faced.”
“Obviously, we do not want to see such situations recurring, but when they do, we need to have learned from previous occasions. We need to see the prompt roll-out of the money, and I welcome the confirmation from councillors on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council that, last night, its strategy, policy and resources committee committed to the prompt roll-out of that. I record my thanks to the council members for their response and support throughout the crisis. They stepped up and took the lead in many areas, even though the issues with the floods, rivers and roads were not their responsibility; they were the responsibility of the Department for Infrastructure. <BR /> <BR />The economic recovery also requires a restoration of public confidence.”
“Thank you very much. The long term is very important. I welcome the Economy Minister's announcement that the remaining £10 million from the flood recovery scheme is being made available, and I hope that that aids the longer-term recovery. However, as I mentioned, it is disappointing that that money may be too late to save many businesses. It is disappointing that, despite united and repeated calls at the time by local MLAs from all parties, the Secretary of State did not make enough money available when people were in crisis and needed it most. <BR /> <BR />There needs to be learning from this incident across many areas, but I specifically refer to the need to learn and develop plans that make us capable of rolling out financial support efficiently and effectively in response to emergency situations.”
“Before the flooding, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council had invested much time, money and effort into the Downpatrick living high street scheme, which was an energetic initiative that was created to give hope and revitalise the town. I know that many Members from around the Chamber were actively involved in that. Right before the flooding, that had generated great hope, and I was quite energised to go down and join some of the meetings. It is very sad to see where we have ended up.”
“Meeting such costs at a time of devastation and with no income coming in was unachievable for many businesses. The short-term support at the time was neither clear enough nor quick enough to assist people in their time of dire need. <BR /> <BR />In the longer term, many businesses have struggled and have taken the difficult decision to close. The moving of businesses temporarily has displaced the town centre and confused shoppers who are not regular visitors to the area. The temporary closure of the large Asda store in Downpatrick saw a huge drop in footfall to the town, and I am grateful to those in Asda management who so quickly constructed and opened a restored large store in Downpatrick, which helped with footfall. <BR /> <BR />The longer-term impact of the flooding is still very much being felt.”
“I thank the Alliance Member for South Down for bringing the issue to the Chamber. The severity of the flooding in South Down last October and November was the worst that the area has experienced. Impacts have been devastating and significant, both in the short term and the longer term. The short-term impacts were heartbreaking. The operation to clean up lost stock was huge. In so many cases, additional seasonal stock had been bought in for Christmas at significant cost. The damage and loss of shop and business machinery, furniture and equipment was immediately apparent. It was incredibly clear that it would not be a simple case of moving a business and setting up elsewhere. Any relocation required significant set-up costs and was not just a simple move.”
“<BR /> <BR />We have seen ambitious plans for significant investment in the Kilkeel outer harbour come and go. Those plans moved through different Departments but never progressed, to great disappointment locally. We need to secure investment. We want to see the local fishing industry being in a position to take advantage of new fishing opportunities. As my colleague Michelle McIlveen outlined, Northern Ireland has fallen behind in that area. I call on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to stand up for the Northern Ireland fishing industry, reiterate his Department's commitment to providing the capital funding necessary to redevelop Northern Ireland's harbour infrastructure across Kilkeel, Ardglass and Portavogie, and commit to a time frame for the delivery of that.”
“<BR /> <BR />The capital and running costs of fishing boats are high, as mentioned by my colleague Michelle McIlveen. The Maritime and Fisheries Fund provided funding for a range of critical things across the fishing industry, and fishermen rely on a lot of them. That support was available for projects that delivered on sustainable economic growth in the sea fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The purpose of the scheme was to continue to provide Northern Ireland with a financial support mechanism for the fisheries, inland waters, aquaculture and maritime sectors. The fund closed in 2023 and has not reopened. I urge the Minister to reinstate that fund to support the delivery of adequate and ongoing practical and financial support to those who need it.”
“The introduction of the £38,700 salary threshold for workers on skilled worker visas will be devastating for the fishing industry. Even the uncertainty at the moment is taking its toll, as fishermen are struggling to get seafarers with the required English qualifications. I have asked the AERA Minister about his plans for that, and his response was that he would liaise with and write to different bodies. I urge him to raise the issue as a matter of urgency, as the fishing industry is suffering critically and is in daily contact with me on the issue. While decisions are not being taken to safeguard the industry and reflect the particular needs of the fishing sector in Northern Ireland and its ability to access labour, it is suffering.”
“It is not just the fishermen but the entire harbour community that supports the fishing industry and benefits from investment in it, including a number of fish factories, fish markets and shops, as well as the local seafood cookery school and successful boat-building businesses. <BR /> <BR />Our fishing industry is incredibly important. I am in agreement with my party colleagues Michelle McIlveen and William Irwin and support the motion to safeguard and build on the success of Northern Ireland's fishing industry. The industry needs our support as it faces significant challenges. As with so many businesses and homes, the cost of fuel and rising input costs for many of our local fishermen cause great concern, but the biggest concern raised with me, week in, week out, is, as has been mentioned, about the workforce.”
“Mr Speaker, I thank you for your work in your previous role as Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the motion. The Northern Ireland fishing industry has enjoyed success for generations, and, like the previous Member to speak, I have close experience of it, having grown up in the Mourne fishing town of Kilkeel. I have always appreciated the industry and how the harbour formed the heart of our town. The crews on fishing boats large and small worked so hard throughout the year, often through extreme weather and the difficult process of professionally navigating the Kilkeel pier.”
“We need to stop the count of dead women in Northern Ireland and work together to end violence against women and girls.”
“Those were real women who were murdered. They were daughters, sisters, mothers, grandmothers and very dear friends from right across Northern Ireland who were viciously murdered, mainly by people whom they knew and trusted. They deserved better, and it is our responsibility to do better for them. We need to change attitudes in society, and we need to be brought into line with the rest of the United Kingdom on the issue.”
“It is critical that the strategy to end violence against women and girls is allocated sufficient funding or it will become just another strategy on the shelf. In allocating funding to the strategy, I also call for the priority to be supporting and sustaining the voluntary and community groups delivering these support services and shaping the policy on these matters. It was a travesty that the Women's Aid Federation for Northern Ireland lost its core grant funding last year, as referenced by others. Funding that body and restoring this money should be a priority within this strategy. Where expert services exist and already support women who are the victims of domestic abuse, we should be securing their existence with multi-year funding. <BR /> <BR />We also need to remember the victims and keep their names and their stories to the fore.”
“The escalation of these things often leads to violence and murder. <BR /> <BR />I support the motion today for the urgent implementation of the strategic framework to end violence against women and girls. Every Department has a role to play, from lawmaking and enforcement in Justice; to healthcare and mental health support; to crisis homelessness for women who flee; and to schools, where child victims need support. The roll-out of Operation Encompass has already proved impactful on this. We need everyone on board. We need to change attitudes and educate society. I thank the co-design team and all involved in the hard work in bringing this so far to date. I also support the amendment, which condemns the inadequate funding levels provided by the Government for public services here.”
“The Justice Minister, the Justice Committee and the all-party group on domestic and sexual violence all played important roles in that change, along with the many stakeholders that serviced those. As the new chair of that all-party group, I am committed to supporting the delivery of more and look forward to working with the many Members across the Chamber who are also committed to working on that all-party group. <BR /> <BR />The deep-rooted misogyny in society is a cause of this violence. The attitudes to, behaviours toward and treatment of women need to change. From subtle comments to sexual harassment, stalking, upskirting, downblousing, physical abuse and coercive control: where does it stop? For some of us, it means being the victims of online abuse and deepfake harassment; a vicious weapon used to degrade and humiliate women.”
“While that is an improvement in representation, the lack of female MLAs for so many years has meant that Northern Ireland has fallen behind on many important issues. We lack strategies on childcare, on women's health and on violence against women and girls. Women have been left behind because they were not in the room when the decisions were being made, and it is our responsibility now to make that right. The lack of strategies and laws to define domestic abuse offences as criminal has shaped behaviour in society, and the suite of new legislation brought in in the previous mandate was much needed and has already had a significant impact in this area.”
“I will speak on the devastating impact of violence against women and girls. Across the United Kingdom, the police receive a domestic abuse call every 30 seconds, yet it is estimated that less than 24% of domestic abuse crime is reported to the police. Most women do not call the police following the first time they are abused; they usually have been abused a significant number of times before they contact the police. Violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland is very real. As detailed in the motion, it is horrific that, on average, every three months, a woman is murdered here. <BR /> <BR />In this Chamber, women are in the minority, representing just one third of our Members.”
“We do so on the understanding that the Bill does not define the future direction of our public spending, that the new 2024-25 Budget will be a priority as soon as is practicably possible, and that we will continue to call on the Treasury to fund Northern Ireland fairly and on a sustainable basis, with the issue of resolving public pay on a recurring basis being a key priority.”
“We have not had time to scrutinise as we would have liked, and I trust that, in future, we will enjoy a much more appropriate level of scrutiny of Budgets. This has to be an exception, not the norm. We need to move forward on the clear footing that priority will be given to developing a Programme for Government, underpinned by a comprehensive Budget that we will be afforded the opportunity to scrutinise appropriately and that will set us up for moving into multi-year budgeting. <BR /> <BR />Today, however, the DUP will support the Budget Bill to enable our Departments to function in the next six weeks until the end of the 2023-24 financial year and to commence 2024-25 with a 65% Vote on Account.”
“I thank the Minister for all her work on the Bill and all Members who contributed to the debate. Finances available through the Budget are critical to how our government is run, to the public services that can be provided and to the policies, strategies and transformations that can be effectively delivered. It is essential that we continue to make the case for the agreement of an effective funding model for Northern Ireland. Our chronic underfunding has led to the challenges that we face today. <BR /> <BR />Representations have been made to the Treasury. Long-standing issues need to be addressed, and we need a fair and sustainable funding package. On the Budget Bill, I again make the point that this is not where we want to be.”
“To add to the Member's point, its ability to have full scrutiny and power is very important, and it should be addressed as an item on its own.”
“We are facing critical challenges with health, education, the economy, childcare, agriculture, infrastructure, an increase in our minimum wages from 2024-25 onwards and many more issues. We need to put in place a multi-year Budget for Northern Ireland to deliver for everyone here as soon as we practically can. <BR /> <BR />Today, I support the Budget Bill to enable Departments to be able to function. I also support the need for the Assembly to prioritise and deliver on the new Budget as soon as possible in order to underpin the new Programme for Government. <BR /> <BR />As to the amendment, I note that recognition of the Fiscal Council is an important issue. I believe, however, that it deserves a full piece of its own.”
“That means that we will be funded to need in those years but will again plunge below need in 2026-27. Secondly, although the Government have moved some way on recognising need, subject to the problems set out, they are hoping that we will settle for an arrangement that involves just one, half-baked aspect of the protection that Wales has enjoyed and continues to enjoy. To protect its block grant funding from falling below need, Northern Ireland must fully benefit from both aspects of the protection that is afforded to Wales. We need a fiscal floor, defined need and an uplift. <BR /> <BR />The UK Government's funding of Northern Ireland is an urgent issue and needs to be addressed.”
“If not, for which groups of workers will it not be guaranteed? <BR /> <BR />I also want to make a critical point about context. It is vital that we consider this Budget, and, indeed, the next, in the proper context of our funding from Treasury. The Hillsborough proposals, adjusted slightly by the Treasury letter of 13 February, are very important. There are two major problems. First, the Hillsborough package is logically an unsustainable arrangement, both in recognising the need to fund Northern Ireland to need from 2024-25 onwards and in recognising the need to provide funding for two years to plug the gap arising from the impact of being funded £3 billion below need in two consecutive years from our baseline funding. We are effectively funded to need for 2024-25 and 2025-26.”
“I note that the Budget Bill also affords Departments the ability to commence 2024-25 spending at 65% of Vote on Account until a new Budget is adopted. Again, I note that that is necessary to enable the Departments to function, but it needs to remain a priority to develop the new 2024-25 Budget as soon as possible in order to capture the priorities of the new Programme for Government and put us in the best place to deliver them in the years ahead. <BR /> <BR />I have a question for the Minister to address at the end, if she pleases. One matter of particular importance is the payment of public-sector workers across all sectors and divisions. Can the Minister assure me that this Budget will make full and proper provision for all the vital members of staff in our public services, without whom our public services could not function?”
“I hope that we receive an improved financial position moving forward and, on that basis, that we can effectively plan for the future delivery of Northern Ireland public services in the 2024-25 Budget process.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is important that the Budget Bill passes to enable the operation of our Departments at this time, but it is not defining the future of our public spending. That remains the responsibility of the Executive and the Assembly as we move into the 2024-25 Budget process. The UK Treasury has indicated that the way in which Northern Ireland is funded will be altered, moving forward. However, we, unfortunately, remain in a position where the details of that incorporation of a process and a model that appropriately reflects Northern Ireland's true need has not been concluded.”
“I thank the Finance Minister for addressing the House today. As we speak on the Budget Bill, it is important that a significant difference is noted and emphasised between this Budget Bill, which covers the approvals for the remaining six weeks of the 2023-24 financial year and the commencement of 2024-25, and the separate, important issue of the full debate and scrutiny of a complete 2024-25 Budget, which should be completed as soon as possible in the coming months and put in place to underpin the key priorities and objectives of the new Programme for Government. Today's Bill is being presented under accelerated passage, due to the circumstances of timing, to enable our Departments to function in the meantime. We are not where we would have wanted to be, and I trust that, in future, we will enjoy much more appropriate scrutiny of Budgets.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Given the urgency of the issue and the fact that it affects the fishing industry on a day-to-day basis, especially in my constituency and particularly in Kilkeel harbour, will the Minister agree to meet representatives of the fishing industry in the short term and give them the opportunity to highlight the matter?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does she agree that the education of young girls in this important topic is critical? In the Member's opinion, should that be led by the Department of Health, through schools or through the voluntary and community sector?”
“Yes, thanks very much to Jim Wells for all his service to South Down. It was greatly appreciated by the entire community.”
“<BR /> <BR />I support the motion. I support sustainable finances with multi-year budgets. We need them to be able to deliver public services for Northern Ireland; to deliver on key objectives, such as childcare, to ensure that no mother or father in Northern Ireland has to choose between caring for their children or going to work; to ensure that our rural communities are delivered the critical infrastructure that they need to thrive; and to deliver a better future for Northern Ireland.”
“Not only that, but the Government have had the audacity to compound our underfunding by making us pay back an overspend last year. That overspend would never have happened, had they funded us to need in the first place, let alone funded us to need plus an uplift. It is not acceptable to say that protecting funding to need in one part of the country must be done by means of an uplift and a fiscal floor, while another part of the country will have to make do with a fiscal ceiling to the level of need and a recurring £600 million deficit in the baseline arising from our underfunding. Northern Ireland cannot afford to settle for a fiscal ceiling or a fiscal floor. Our block grant budget needs to be afforded the same protection as that in Wales: a fiscal floor to need and an uplift. That is the only fair way forward.”
“The consequences of funding being below need are so damaging and dislocating that, when parts of the United Kingdom get so close to need, it is vital that the UK Government treat them and are seen to treat them in exactly the same way, affording them equality of protection. I make no apology for arguing strongly that Northern Ireland should benefit from exactly the same protections as Wales has enjoyed since 2012 and especially since 2018-19. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland's funding should never have been allowed to fall below need. The UK Government cannot adopt a UK needs formula and agree to intervene to protect one part of the UK to ensure that its funding does not fall below need while not doing so for another part of the UK, which has allowed the funding not only to fall to need but to plunge well below it. That is what has happened.”
“All of that is a consequence of the long-term injustice in the funding of public services in Northern Ireland. For decades, our public funding was spent on rebuilding and patching up our roads, hospitals and town centres after the devastation of bombings. Unlike other jurisdictions at that time, we were not investing our money in enhancing our infrastructure, railway networks or on making our hospitals world-class, and we have, inevitably, fallen behind in our services. <BR /> <BR />On top of that pressure, our funding model has not been sufficient. I support all that my colleague Phillip Brett said, and I thank our DUP deputy leader, Gavin Robinson MP, and our DUP peers in the House of Lords, particularly Lord Morrow, for securing debates on the matter.”
“I represent all those rural communities, which have been disproportionately disadvantaged by the chronic underfunding that Northern Ireland has experienced over many years. Access to emergency healthcare in the countryside is a huge challenge. The poor transport infrastructure cuts us off so easily in times like the recent flooding. Rural transport, access to nearby preschool places and childcare facilities all face significant barriers.”
“I welcome the opportunity to support the motion and make my maiden speech. I consider it a great honour and privilege to represent South Down in this place. I am a proud Mourne woman from a small village, Ballymartin, at the foot of Slieve Binnian. I love where I live: the beautiful countryside, the culture and the diversity of industry, through farming, fishing and manufacturing and much more. However, especially, I love the people at the heart of our rural communities. <BR /> <BR />South Down is large geographically but it is made up of many individual core rural towns and communities: Kilkeel, Annalong and Newcastle, and over the mountains to Rathfriland and Katesbridge. We have Warrenpoint, Clough, Dundrum, Crossgar, Downpatrick and many more.”