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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“The DUP welcomes the extension of the rates exemption for ATMs in designated rural areas until 31 March 2027. In common with other Members who represent a rural area like South Down, I fully appreciate the value that is placed on access to cash in our rural communities. I welcome any initiative to secure or enhance that. There is scope to enhance it further.”
“I thank the Minister for his ongoing engagement with me on the key concerns about Tollymore National Outdoor Centre in the Mournes. I know that the Minister appreciates the important role that it plays, but many people have become concerned as the consultation has progressed. Is there a possibility that the Tollymore National Outdoor Centre could be permanently closed?”
“Having grown up in the Mournes, I have seen such fires a lot more often than I would like. In response to last year's fires, the deputy First Minister was down with me, and we had a lot of engagement with those on the ground who were responding to the fires. One of the key respondents was Sky Watch Northern Ireland, which has fantastic off-road equipment and drones that it can use to view thermal imaging from the skies to assist the response. Minister, have you had engagement with Sky Watch NI or been able to support it in the work that it does as it plays a valuable role in responding to the wildfires?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, are there any guidelines you can set in your Department to emphasise the importance of such offences and how seriously they are taken in Northern Ireland?”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber so quickly following the announcement by Treasury; we appreciate that. Minister, whilst the Secretary of State may urge some celebration of there being more money for Northern Ireland, that money does not address the deficit, nor does it provide us with the necessary long-term, structured help. You said that the open-book exercise will be completed in the next couple of weeks. Minister, do you expect that that will result in recognition of the longer-term need for increased sustainable funding for Northern Ireland?”
“It is a step towards increasing public confidence in officeholders for the people of Northern Ireland, and I hope that everyone in the House will support it.”
“Therefore, I have tabled an amendment to the Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill to make provision for the suspension of someone who holds a public appointment if they become subject to investigation for an offence. The amendment can introduce accountability while ensuring that it is used only in appropriate circumstances, and it does not interfere with their ability to operate independently. It obviously does not impact on whether an investigation has triggered the suspension and in no way prejudges its outcome. It is a legislative change that is specifically designed to ensure that public confidence in the post that it covers is maintained. I encourage all parties to study it carefully and to support it when it is debated in the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />The amendment would cover all public appointees in Northern Ireland.”
“As holders of public office here, MLAs adhere to the Nolan principles. Public appointments are roles in public life that are held in high esteem, such as the Children's Commissioner, the Police Ombudsman and others. Those positions are critical. <BR /> <BR />In most areas of life, someone who comes under investigation for an offence is suspended from their post without prejudice until the investigation concludes. However, that is not currently the case for certain public appointments. Independence from political interference is rightly valued in certain appointments, but that should not come at a cost of unaccountability. <BR /> <BR />The Executive Office has recognised that there is a gap in legislation here, but it has not been able to table legislation during the mandate.”
“Minister, the mixed message has come from your response in the Chamber, not necessarily from Alma. I will follow on from previous questions. You said that you wished that the matter had been brought forward and wondered why it had not, but you have not progressed it. Will you take extraordinary steps to progress it, given your comment that there is time to do so?”
“The need to protect women and girls and all our young people online is a growing concern. In the UK, a public consultation has been launched on whether to ban social media for under-16s. What is TEO doing to address violence against women and girls online?”
“I thank the Member for the intervention. On review of the process, it was clear to us that, had we continued in that way, the legislation in place meant that we could not go back and change it. Therefore, if that were put in place, it would not allow for the full job evaluation to carry forward in its fullest and most complete form. It could potentially predetermine the outcome of that. In the Committee's view, it would not be reasonable or logical to recommend returning to the link to that scale without robust evidence indicating that it was appropriate to do so. On balance, the Committee decided not to recommend to the Assembly the linkage to that at this time. <BR /> <BR />Daniel McCrossan asked why no change was proposed to the arrangement with the Audit Committee.”
“In the debate on 22 March 2022, the former Chair stated:”
“Historically, C&AG salaries in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have been linked to the salary of a judge in the judicial salary group 5. However, England, Scotland and Wales have been moving away from that approach since the review of the National Audit Office's corporate governance by John Tyner, which was published in January 2008. It recommended that the link with judicial salaries be broken in England. Previous Audit Committees considered the benefits of the historical link, but they also acknowledged the question of its appropriateness.”
“He also mentioned that he previously chaired the Audit Committee, and it was recorded in the plenary debate, as the Chairperson, Mr Chambers, said, that there was a question about whether judicial group 5 was the most appropriate group against which the salary should be benchmarked. The former Audit Committee recommended that this Committee consider reviewing the options in determining the salary in future. <BR />I will address Diana Armstrong's point about why we are not recommending that the salary be linked with judicial salary group 5. The Senior Salaries Review Body recommended for 2026 for judicial group 5 a salary level heading towards £190,000.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention and agree that the Committee took the role seriously, and politics did not come into it. The review and the processes were followed as set out and to the best ability of the Committee. <BR /> <BR />I thank the incumbent C&AG for her unwavering commitment to ensuring effective public accountability and leadership of the Northern Ireland Audit Office. <BR /> <BR />I will comment on some of the contributions. Daniel McCrossan, as Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, referenced the importance and exceptional work of the C&AG. As a former Deputy Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, I concur with him on that.”
“However, it is fair and appropriate that that is done in a consistent and predictable manner. <BR /> <BR />I also acknowledge that the salary of the office of C&AG is set in public, which is unique to the role of C&AG here. That reflects the existing legislation. However, we must remember that, while the Assembly debates the appropriate salary for the office, an individual is in post, and, therefore, I take the opportunity to thank the incumbent C&AG, Dorinnia Carville, for her unwavering commitment to —”
“While it considered several options that are set out in the report, including transferring the responsibility to the Assembly Commission, it does not recommend any changes to the current arrangements, as it understands that that would require significant legislative change to safeguard the independence of the C&AG. <BR /> <BR />The Committee is aware that, in continuing to make salary recommendations to the Assembly, there is a continued risk of the political context impacting on decisions to review the salary. For that reason, the Committee recommends the introduction of new processes and procedures to help ensure that there is a consistent approach to salary reviews going forward. The role of the Assembly in setting the salary of the C&AG appropriately reflects the independence of the office from government.”
“I thank Members for their contributions to the debate. As the Committee Chairperson said, there is no underestimating the value of the work carried out by the C&AG and the great responsibility of the postholder. It is therefore important that the salary is fair, appropriately reflects the complexity and responsibilities of the role and is set using an objective evidence-based and transparent process. That is why the Committee recommends further work to establish an appropriate evidence-based mechanism for the longer term, potentially through the completion of a full-job evaluation exercise if that is found to be feasible. <BR /> <BR />I will highlight it briefly that the Committee has reviewed its own role in terms of the appropriateness of making recommendations to the Assembly on the C&AG's salary.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. Having moved to the Economy Committee last week, I look forward to working with her again. <BR /> <BR />Minister, this morning, I attended the all-party group on fuel poverty, at which Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, outlined progress in that area. In line with the wider Executive anti-poverty strategy, how do you think that some of the measures related to renewables and energy will help address fuel poverty?”
“I thank the Minister for making such representations. I know that it is not a devolved matter, but I appreciate that. Childcare providers have expressed serious concerns about what the removal the 10% wear and tear tax allowance will mean for their businesses. Minister, will you also make representations on behalf of those childcare businesses?”
“I thank the Minister for his work on the reserve claim. <BR /> <BR />Minister, you mentioned your ongoing work with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury: will you update the House on what is on the table for negotiation? You mentioned that, previously, you made bids for the PSNI data breach: we now have the reserve claim settlement, and there are ongoing issues with the local growth fund. Can we expect anything to come through in the next couple of months from the discussions?”
“This needs to be a moment not just for financial stabilisation but for meaningful improvement and modernisation across Northern Ireland. The DUP supports the Supply resolutions.”
“I and my party are very proud of our DUP MPs' championing, at the heart of Westminster, the cause of public finances in Northern Ireland. There are SDLP MPs over there, and I wonder where they may have been and why that was not fed back that way. We are very proud that Gavin Robinson was there to welcome to that. We believe that it is a clear example of our colleagues at Westminster and in the Executive working closely together and showing what that can deliver. <BR /> <BR />We have long talked about transformation, but the open-book exercise provides a clear opportunity to do it. Last year's end point should not automatically become this year's starting point. The Vote on Account rolls forward the previous year's Budget, but that is just a percentage. It should not, by default, be a roll-forward of how things have always been.”
“While the timing and timescales are not ideal, the Committee will support today's Supply resolution motions. <BR /> <BR />I will make a few comments as a DUP MLA. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the importance of the efficient and effective management of public finances. The DUP has long been a champion of improving Northern Ireland's public finances, with our leader, Gavin Robinson MP, long leading the calls for a review of our funding and Barnett consequentials. Just over a week ago, as mentioned by the leader of the Opposition, he welcomed the £400 million reserve claim as an important intervention. At the Committee and in today's debate, the leader of the Opposition has criticised the DUP leader for effectively welcoming that on the Floor of the House of Commons.”
“<BR /> <BR />I now turn to the Vote on Account. Members will have noticed that, at 45·7%, the rate is less than what has been applied in the past. Members will recall that, in recent times, the Vote on Account was set at 65%, allowing for a longer period by which to have the next financial year's Budget in place. Members are aware that the Vote on Account does not set the 2026-27 Budget. It is merely an agreement of the percentage of the current year's Budget that can be drawn down in the early part of the 2026-27 financial year before the Budget has been legislated for in the Budget (No. 2) Bill. Members are aware that this debate examines a largely technical exercise, and the Committee has applied an appropriate degree of scrutiny on that basis.”
“However, what it lacks in budget, it makes up for in strategic importance and oversight roles, not least its role in overarching budget management across Departments and its ownership of rating policy, which is the Executive's single key fiscal lever. The Committee has monitored the Department's budget carefully through this financial cycle, with regular briefings following monitoring rounds and periodic briefings on monthly out-turns. Funding inflows to the Department have tended to be for strategically important systems such as Integr8 and NOVA that will have wide-ranging impacts and benefits. The Committee continues to pay close attention to the unquantifiable contingent liabilities, highlighted in the Estimates memorandum, that the Department continues to carry and will continue to scrutinise those in future.”
“However, Treasury is not known for its willingness to tolerate poor budgeting. <BR /> <BR />While the Finance Committee keeps a close eye on the use of sole authority in the Budget Bill, I will not comment on that, as the Committee Chair will deal with it when he speaks for the Committee in tomorrow's Budget Bill debate. I will also let him deal with the request for accelerated passage for the Budget Bill that was made to the Committee. <BR /> <BR />I now turn briefly to the Department of Finance's Estimates. The Department is not programme heavy and, as a result, does not have a significant budget.”
“<BR /> <BR />Scrutiny of Departments' budgets should be easier going forward, with the prospect of multi-year Budgets; the linkage between Budgets and the Programme for Government; and the production of five-year business plans by Departments, accompanied by rough baseline budgets. Those are all aspects of the Budget sustainability plan and the Budget improvement road map that derive from conditions that were set by the Executive restoration package settlement. That is the UK Government's way of encouraging the Executive to live within their means and to budget more strategically and with much greater transparency and clarity. Budgets must, by law, be balanced by the end of the financial year. There are, of course, some flexibilities such as the Budget exchange scheme.”
“I will leave the scrutiny of the impact of the reserve claim on Departments to the relevant Committee Chairs. Although the Committee welcomed the £400 million reserve, questions remain about what impact the reserve claim will have on public finances in future years. The Committee scrutinised officials on that matter during last week's meeting and will continue to do so. With that in mind, I continue to encourage Committees to closely monitor overcommitments made by Departments in the coming year, as it is unlikely that consequentials and reserve claims can be relied upon to fill the gaps. Departments need to become better at budget planning and living within their means, as has been clearly stated to the Committee by Finance officials.”
“Members are aware that the claim relates to the anticipated Executive overspend for 2025-26, primarily by the Education and Health Departments, that sits at £456·7 million, as indicated by the Minister in his statement on the reserve claim.”
“Finance officials had previously warned the Committee of that, noting that much of the gains was baselined for 2025-26. <BR /> <BR />I also note, at this point, the Minister's recent announcement that the Treasury had agreed to provide the Executive with a reserve claim of £400 million resource DEL in 2025-26. That will be repayable over three years: £80 million in 2026-27; £160 million in 2027-28; and £160 million in 2028-29. That £400 million is reflected in the spring Supplementary Estimates.”
“The Committee is aware that not every Committee is receiving the information and engagement from their Department that it should. That is not acceptable. Committees must be given the appropriate information and time to do their scrutiny job. <BR /> <BR />The 2025-26 spring Supplementary Estimates are aligned to the latest agreed Budget position across Departments. The December monitoring position and final Budget position were agreed by the Executive on 11 February 2026. Compared to the previous year, which had been an exceptional year for Barnett consequentials, the tables showing the changes between the Main Estimates and spring Supplementary Estimates illustrate the limited amount of Barnett consequentials that were received throughout the financial year.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. <BR /> <BR />I speak today on behalf of the Finance Committee to allow the Committee Chair to focus on his role as leader of the Opposition. The Committee received a briefing from officials on the 2025-26 spring Supplementary Estimates and the 2026-27 Vote on Account at its meeting of 18 February 2026. On behalf of the Committee, I thank officials for that. <BR /> <BR />As Members will be aware, the Budget process is complex and littered with technical language that is often difficult to understand. The Finance Committee is working hard to support the other Statutory Committees in their Budget scrutiny, and we continue to seek the breakdown of the information that is available to them in more digestible chunks, accompanied by a clearer narrative.”
“Minister, you mentioned the lack of reference to the local growth fund in the multi-year Budget. I was also disappointed to see that. Will your Department or any Department be in a position to fill any of the gaps caused by the reduction in funding for the local growth fund?”
“The DUP stands strongly to represent common sense and women on those issues.”
“Reproductive health policy, medical research, crime data, sports eligibility, prison placement and sex-segregated protections all require clarity about biological sex. In sport, those categories determine competitive fairness. In prisons and female-only shelters, they affect safety. The vote is a clear signal that biology itself is negotiable in statutory language. That has serious and worrying consequences. When a legislature will not state who can become pregnant, it is moved beyond accommodation into redefinition. Compassion does not require ambiguity in law. What will it be next? Will we see an attempt to rewrite simple biology in our school curriculums? <BR /> <BR />Once again, women and our rights are under attack. Where is the common sense in all this? Only biological women can be pregnant.”
“On 12 February, the European Parliament adopted a resolution, by a vote of 340 to 141, calling on EU institutions and member states to guarantee the full recognition of trans women as women in EU policy and law. An amendment was then brought stating that only biological women can become pregnant. That was defeated, with 233 Members of the European Parliament voting against it. Being pregnant and being a mother is a privilege. As a mother of three, I find that vote incredibly offensive and shocking. <BR /> <BR />Whilst the vote does not change any treaties or mean that there will be any immediate changes in our laws, it does shape Commission priorities and influences how equality frameworks are interpreted. That vote shifts the line between biology and the law. We need to be very mindful of what that could mean for us all.”
“In 2025, the consultation on my proposed Member's Bill on women and girls in sport in Northern Ireland showed strong backing for the need for increased protections in sport here. There is a consistent demand for fairness, safety, equality and better participation and representation of women and girls in sport in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Women's rights have been fought for long and hard, and there is still some way to go. The current battles are not just the traditional misogynistic ones but include increased attacks from the woke agenda. Women deserve better than that. I was incredibly disappointed at the European Parliament's recent decision, when it refused to anchor pregnancy to biological sex. That is shocking and shows a huge shift in how sex is treated in law.”
“Minister, I ask this to establish clarity: did Sinn Féin councillor Mathers; Dáire Hughes, the Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh; or anyone from Sinn Féin's Newry and Armagh branch make you personally aware that they had been contacted by the Department for Infrastructure — your Department — to request that the billboard be removed and, if so, when?”
“Minister, if the puberty blockers legal case in England was central to pausing Northern Ireland's participation in that trial, why did you wait so long before your announcement?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. I agree with the Minister: nobody wants to see the criminalisation of poverty. That is absolutely not anyone's intention here. As we move away from that very old legislation, what are the Minister's plans for what it will look like in our town centres to ensure that the protection of business owners is to the fore?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement and your action. Despite commentary from others, I know that you have sincere empathy with those who are in need. Can you confirm for the House that your actions to recover money from people who are taking it illegally are being taken with the intention of redistributing it to those who are most in need?”
“I appreciate that the Minister has outlined the pressures that he faces, but will he outline his views and plans in light of that recommendation?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Recommendation 3 of the 'Access to Palliative Care Services' report was:”
“I thank the Minister for her statement on the important topic of tourism. Northern Ireland is a fantastic tourist destination, especially with attractions like the Mourne Mountains, the Giant's Causeway and the story of the Titanic. With this, there is a lot of talk about all of the shared initiatives. I am concerned that the Northern Ireland brand as a tourism destination is being lost. What is the Minister doing to specifically promote Northern Ireland as a tourist destination and the tourism sector here?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. As a representative of the border constituency of South Down, I am glad that you attend those events and try to maximise opportunities. We have significant expertise in employment across aerospace and defence, especially at Collins Aerospace, and in all the supply chains around those sectors. When you were looking at the development of businesses, did you discuss the supply chains in which logistics firms face cross-border barriers? There is expertise on both sides of the border, and there are opportunities to maximise that through our local businesses. What are your plans around that?”
“I put on record my thanks for the precious life of little John Doole: always immensely loved; always remembered; and now safe in the arms of Jesus.”
“John was an angel in his too-short time on earth, and he is now an angel in heaven, looking down on those whom he loved. It is his family members who miss him the most. I pray for them, and I ask that everyone prays that they find some comfort in each other as they navigate their journey of grief and in knowing the amazing life that they had with John. John's family is a credit to him, especially his sister Katie who is now campaigning for changes to help stop others going through some of the pain that they are now experiencing. I support them in that, and I hope that others in the House will too. <BR /> <BR />As we pray for the family and the Mourne community, I put on record the fact that, in his short time, John made an impact and left many marks on the hearts of many people.”
“<BR /> <BR />I had the pleasure of John entering my life as he went through Kilkeel Nursery School and Kilkeel Primary School alongside my son. He was his dearly loved friend. John was kind; loving; so, so smart; thoughtful; funny; charming; and a much-beloved friend in the P7 class. They looked forward to starting high school together this September and to the many trips that were planned for their final term. They are devastated, as is the whole school family. They all did him proud at the funeral, on Friday. <BR /> <BR />A huge void has been left, and it is hard to understand why any of this has happened. It has touched the hearts of parents and families across Northern Ireland. The loss of a child is beyond measure. Tragedy can strike at any time.”
“Last Tuesday morning, 3 February 2026, 11-year-old John Doole tragically died in a road traffic accident near his home, just outside Kilkeel. Our entire community is devastated and remains numb and in shock, none more so than his loving family. My deep condolences and prayers are with Theresa, Wesley, Lisa, Stephen, Penny, Katie, Holly, Ellie, Brooklyn, James, Joanne and Roxy; the wider family circle; his friends; and all who knew and loved him. <BR /> <BR />John was an amazing little boy who lived his best life in Kilkeel. With his bright blonde hair and his big blue eyes, twinkling every day, he brought fun and joy to every person whom he met. He loved his family, being on the farm with his daddy and playing with his friends. He was a bundle of energy.”