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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“Alarm bells should ring when professionals who have oversight of such a critical programme raise serious concerns. Full disclosure, openness and transparency in all those matters is needed now from the Department and the trust. <BR /> <BR />Confidence in the effectiveness of cervical screening is paramount to women across Northern Ireland. I want to build on that. I did not fully appreciate how much confidence I had lost in the system until I faced it myself. Two years ago, I was at an event, and, at the end of that event, I saw that I had a number of missed calls from my GP, which was unusual. When I called her back, she said that she wanted to speak to me before I got home and got my post, because my smear test, taken five months earlier, had highlighted issues.”
“There is relief when a test is clear, and stress when there are concerning results. As others in the Chamber have done, I encourage everyone, no matter what is said in the debate, to continue to attend their smear tests. <BR /> <BR />When the news of the scandal broke, I think that every woman who lives in the Southern Trust area thought, "My goodness, do my years of clear results mean nothing?" There was a crisis in public confidence. It is deeply regrettable that the Southern Trust has not always been forthright in providing key information to relevant scrutiny bodies in the Assembly. People have had to go to unfortunate lengths to access individual screener data; information that is key to the entire issue. It is vital that we see openness and transparency across our health service at all times.”
“I thank the Members who tabled the important motion. Cervical screening is a proven way in which to detect the early stages of that type of cancer, treat it and prevent it from progressing and adversely affecting, or, in some heartbreaking cases, ending, women's lives. Screening saves lives. <BR /> <BR />As an MLA for South Down, I speak for all the women and families in my constituency who have been affected. I also speak as a woman who understands, at first hand, the impact that the scandal has had on us all. Smear tests are not the most pleasant appointment that we attend as women. Many have to build up a lot of courage in order to go to their appointment, but most of us go, placing our trust in the doctors and the NHS. We trust that, by doing that, issues will be detected early, improving our outcomes.”
“Strong voices from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Retail NI, Hospitality Ulster, Community Pharmacy and many more are shouting loudly about how the rates that they are charged impede their trading or how they operate, and it is devastating for them. <BR /> <BR />We tabled the motion to note our serious concern about the high levels of unpaid rates that are written off or sit as arrears and call on the Finance Minister to take action now, as we in the DUP continue to support the hard-pressed middle, who are trying their best to pay their rates. The Finance Minister's approach to tackling the financial pressures is unfair as it continues to increase rates bills for some, while appearing to turn a blind eye to others who are not paying their rates bills. It is time that we saw a change. I commend the motion to the House.”
“The collection of rates in every corner of Northern Ireland should be on a level playing field, with every household and every business treated fairly and equitably. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Minister's progression of the strategic review of the rates system in Northern Ireland. It is long overdue. We need to see a common-sense approach to how individuals and businesses are charged rates. The people of Northern Ireland deserve a fair system. I look forward to seeing how a difference will be made to many people and the economy here. However, a 10-year span is too slow. We need to see change now, or there will be no businesses left open in some sectors.”
“We also call on the Minister to present a range of new and concrete proposals to reduce the level of rates that are unpaid or written off over the next five years to address people's key concerns. Those include: can the Finance Minister provide evidence that his rate recovery action plan is working; will he commit to increasing the number of cases that are pursued through the courts; has he any plans to review the current criteria for write-offs; and does he intend to benchmark future collection targets against those in other jurisdictions? I also ask how the Minister will ensure that there is regional balance in unpaid rates recovery, given that, in some constituencies, the level of unpaid rates arrears appears disproportionate to the size of the population and, in others, the reduction in arrears has been stagnant.”
“<BR /> <BR />We are under no illusions that, in the current economic climate, many hard-working people, families and businesses right across Northern Ireland are encountering challenges in paying their rates. We are not unsympathetic to those concerns, but for those who repeatedly or wilfully fail to meet their obligations to be effectively let off the hook, sends out a message that we should not send to the thousands of hard-working ratepayers across Northern Ireland. The collection of rates should be on a level playing field, with every household and business treated fairly and equitably. <BR /> <BR />We call on the Minister of Finance to tangibly increase the target figure for gross collectable rates, the system for which is operated by Land and Property Services.”
“For example, in the 2024-25 financial year, when the target was 93% collection, if the total rates charged and due were calculated to be approximately £1·5 billion, setting out with a 93% target collection rate meant that £105 million was already expected to not be collected. What sort of tone does that set? <BR /> <BR />We need to pause and look at the significant values. We see write-offs of £82 million, huge arrears of £145 million and, operationally, we begin the year expecting to fail to collect in the region of £105 million. Those numbers are huge. Think of those, and then of the financial pressures that we see facing the Northern Ireland Budget. What would those tens and hundreds of millions of pounds do for our public services or for people?”
“That is a concerning message to the public and leaves many frustrated. Uncollected rates debt is a barrier to us maximising the funding that is available for vital public services in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />It is welcome that the vast majority of rates are collected on time by LPS. However, the commitment by LPS to see 93% of the total rates bill being successfully collected is frustrating. The target should be 100% always, or, at the very least, as close to it as possible. Why would you not target full collection of the bills that you have calculated using such a comprehensive method? Why would you not choose to show the public that you are committed to achieving full collection and set an aspirational target?”
“<BR /> <BR />People are clearly struggling to pay the rates bills that they already face. Businesses are closing and many sectors are on their knees. The DUP is committed to delivering for hard-pressed working families in Northern Ireland and has demonstrated that time and again. As we continue to support the squeezed middle, who are trying their best to pay their rates, it is unfair that the Finance Minister seems to think that the only way in which financial pressures can be met is by raising the rates cap and ending the early-payment discount. Those measures will increase the burden on many households and punish those who sensibly make preparations to pay their rates each spring, whilst turning a blind eye to those who are not paying the rates that have already been billed to them.”
“That is a terrible statistic that requires urgent action. <BR /> <BR />Departments are operating within highly constrained budgets, with huge financial pressures on our public services. Even a small proportion of the unpaid rates that are not recovered by LPS could be used to fund projects and maintenance across the country. It is unfair that law-abiding people pay their rates whilst others fail to pay and have their slates wiped clean. <BR /> <BR />As of September 2025, LPS reported that the amount of rates arrears carried forward was £145·4 million. The Finance Minister reported that £73·6 million of that is still being examined for potential legal action. It must be asked of the Minister and LPS why it is deemed acceptable to deprioritise recovering almost half of the total unpaid rates in Northern Ireland to date.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Rates are the main lever that the Northern Ireland Executive have to raise revenue. The rates bill is well known to every home and business across the Province. It is a necessary pain to all, in that it is required by law to be paid to bring in around £1·5 billion a year to pay for public services. <BR /> <BR />A great deal of effort goes into valuing homes, setting rates bills and determining policies on relief. After the bills are set, taxpayers in Northern Ireland expect Land and Property Services to make every effort to collect everything that is owed to the Government. However, the figures on rate collection continue to be disappointing, with £18 million of unpaid rates written off in 2024-25. That brings the total amount of unpaid rates that have been written off in the past six years up to £82 million.”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber to respond to the question. The unfortunate media narrative today is fuelled by confusing a number of issues regarding the PSNI. We have the £200 million sustainability plan, PSNI pay and the cost of the data breach. I echo what the Minister said, which is that it is important that we unite and show that the Assembly supports the PSNI. <BR /> <BR />Minister, have you any idea how much of this will crystallise in 2025-26, and is £119 million a cautious estimate or a realistic one?”
“<BR /> <BR />The establishment of the East-West Council provides a constructive platform for the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive to work together to address the issues that have hampered the realisation of the full potential of replacement EU funding to date. We support the replacement funding, but we do not support devolving full power to local Ministers. Today, we will stand with the sector. As was said by the previous Member, across the House, we want to see a quick solution to the matter because the voluntary and community sector deserves better.”
“Given the tough decisions that need to be taken by Ministers in coming weeks and months, my party, on balance, does not believe that it would be prudent or constructive to provide greater uncertainty to the community and voluntary sector and add to the challenges facing our Departments by devolving responsibility for those schemes solely to local Ministers. We do not want to see political ideology stymie growth in Northern Ireland. It is evident to many that Sinn Féin's ideological opposition to defence issues risks holding Northern Ireland back from investment, growth and job creation.”
“Equally, the DUP does not believe that providing a more meaningful role for the devolved Administrations in deciding how and where the funding is targeted needs to be at the expense of retaining a national approach to providing greater economic and social cohesion between different parts of the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />It should be noted that, even under the framework of previous EU structural funds, there was a role for the UK Government working in conjunction with the devolved Administrations.”
“We want to see that remedied. Just last week, in the House of Commons, DUP leader Gavin Robinson MP raised that directly in questions to the Secretary of State. <BR /> <BR />We have always been clear that the aims and funding objectives of the local growth fund must align with the Executive's agreed plans for economic growth and social inclusion. We cannot be in a situation again where funding that comes from the UK Government duplicates aims that are already covered by the Executive programme or where Northern Ireland's circumstances are not reflected in the development or administration of the funding.”
“We want to see the previous spending power under the EU structural funds replicated and enhanced. The UK always paid in more to the EU than it received back under structural funding. There can be no excuse for any shortfall in funding now. The DUP does not accept that that was, in some way, inevitable as a result of our exit from the EU. Ultimately, previous Governments made promises that they did not honour. <BR /> <BR />My party is also of the view that long-term multi-annual budgeting for replacement EU funds should be a priority. Over the past three years, we have repeatedly sought clarity on when the funding would be available, how it would be administered and the degree of input that would be afforded to local Ministers. It is clear on all those fronts that the engagement of the previous Government was severely lacking.”
“It is vital that our voluntary and community sector feels valued for the work that it does. Ensuring stability and sustainability for its services and volunteers is critical to ensuring that the support infrastructure is there for those who need it. <BR /> <BR />It seems that Sinn Féin has copied its motion from September 2024. My party's position remains the same as it was then. The DUP believes that the UK Government have a responsibility to provide clarity on the future of the funding without delay. It is appalling that community and voluntary organisations that are doing essential work have been left in such an uncertain position, with NICVA reporting that nearly 24,000 people, including people with disabilities, women, lone parents, carers and young people, face losing access to life-changing support.”
“As chair of the Assembly's all-party group on the voluntary and community sector, I am a champion for the sector. I recognise the huge value of its contribution to society and our public services. This morning, I was pleased to join members of the sector with the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), the Finance Minister and colleagues on the steps of Parliament Buildings to show my support. <BR /> <BR />The voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland continues to deliver front-line services to the public, filling gaps where public services do not reach, especially in response to crises such as the recent storms. Members in every corner of the Chamber will, no doubt, testify to the impact that those organisations have in their constituencies.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. When questions about HMOs are brought up, those on the other side of the House are, much of the time, quick to blame the Communities Minister and shout at his decisions on housing. The agenda has become clear, and it is entirely inappropriate that the Minister's religious beliefs have been challenged in the House. <BR /> <BR />Minister, I welcome the clarity in your statement. You outlined councils' powers in existing legislation: do you feel that councils are sufficiently resourced to inspect according to the regulations?”
“In an area at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, we understand that there will be surface run-off at speed from the mountains, but why can that not be planned for, the risks managed and safety put first? <BR /> <BR />We are only in October, and the local infrastructure in South Down is still suffering from the severe damage caused by the storms in 2023 and 2024, with major roads still not repaired. Our people deserve better. We want no more scenes of chaos and panic. I call on the Infrastructure Minister to prioritise an urgent investigation and to put in place a permanent solution to the flooding in Newcastle before someone gets seriously hurt.”
“Local people deserve to know what happened and what actions will be taken to prevent it happening in the future. Many were trapped in their homes for some time. <BR /> <BR />Flooding is not new to Newcastle as a whole, with flood alleviation schemes in place, but I ask that the new schemes are part of an investigation. We need to understand whether they have made things better or have moved all the problems to a different part of Newcastle. There needs to be a solution. <BR /> <BR />Ongoing concerns about the maintenance of the rivers and gullies and the flaps managing the floodwater getting in and out of the Burren river are continuous. We need to see real action. We need a permanent solution. Temporary pumps help to address the consequences, but we need to see prevention prioritised.”
“A major clean-up operation continues. I was there this morning, and I thank all those out working on it, including the various agencies and community-based volunteers. The amount of debris is frightening. We can see from the clean-up that diggers are needed, which is really terrifying. We need an urgent investigation of why it happened. <BR /> <BR />There has never been flooding like it in the area. My family lives just down the road, and, in my lifetime, I have never seen anything like it. It has been widely described by others as the worst in over 40 years. Residents are absolutely shocked and frightened about whether it will happen again. <BR /> <BR />The weather warning was yellow, not amber or red. For a relatively short few hours of heavy rainfall to have caused such flooding is really concerning.”
“We saw fast-flowing water pouring down the roads in the Tullybrannigan area like waterfalls. I am incredibly grateful that no one was hurt, but I have serious concern over how that scale of flooding happened there.”
“Yesterday, the good people of Newcastle were once again subject to unacceptable scenes of flooding, and it has been devastating. There was a warning for heavy rainfall, but the scenes that emerged yesterday were absolutely shocking and terrifying.”
“We need it to be cross-cutting in order to move away from the siloed nature of government in Northern Ireland, as Daniel McCrossan said. To fully address poverty, the strategy needs to hit every Department, and every Department needs to play its part. <BR /> <BR />The Minister set out his commitment on the issue, and he is committed to helping every child in Northern Ireland. Unlike others, he does not stand on the sidelines criticising; he takes action. The Minister has a track record of delivery, and he cares about the people in Northern Ireland. He is serious in his approach to tackling child poverty. I support the Communities Minister in his work on that.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I agree with that point. As we sat through the inquiry, it was devastating to hear about the plans and things that were outlined in the 2016-2022 child poverty strategy. The Member, the Chair of the PAC, was quoted as saying that it was a "catalogue of failures", which is a fair reflection of that. The key point to take forward from the inquiry is that we must learn the lessons from it and build them into the process. I am confident that Minister Lyons will do that. <BR /> <BR />The Minister's priority has been to make a difference and do so now with the tools that he has had to hand. On that, he has brought forward the first Northern Ireland anti-poverty strategy, challenging though that may have been. It cuts right across.”
“It is simple for the SDLP and the Alliance Party to call for that scheme, but let us be honest with people: Gordon Lyons does not have an extra £471 million a year, and, if he did, would the best option be for him to put it into a scheme that has no proven track record of making a significant difference? It will be up to the Minister to assess different value-for-money options and how they align with different strands of his strategy.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention, and I completely agree that, as we consider all the strands of the anti-poverty strategy, we should pull out the specific child-related issues that she mentioned. <BR /> <BR />In the Chamber today, the Scottish child payment scheme has been mentioned as a potential option to be considered here. During the PAC inquiry, however, we heard evidence that the scheme had little effect on child poverty levels in Scotland and thus made very little difference to the situation. That huge spend of £471 million every year has barely moved the needle on child poverty, so the question is whether it is the right way forward for us.”
“<BR /> <BR />Children, by their nature, are vulnerable. They cannot support themselves by getting a job, so they rely on their parents and guardians to take care of them. The DUP has committed to standing on the side of families who are struggling, and Gordon's anti-poverty strategy is focused on tackling the issues.”
“The inquiry reflected on the 2016-2022 child poverty strategy, and, yes, it classed that strategy as a catalogue of failures and made a number of recommendations, but the Minister and his Department accepted nine out of the 10 recommendations and partially accepted the other one. After that strategy ended in 2022, there was a two-year gap until something else came forward. The Committee recommended that a new anti-poverty strategy be presented to the Executive as soon as possible, and Minister Lyons has done that. <BR /> <BR />Mark Durkan said that the Opposition are serious about eradicating child poverty, but what evidence does he have of their doing that? The evidence for the DUP is that Minister Lyons has brought forward a strategy and is on the front foot in addressing child poverty.”
“Every child deserves the best start in life, and I believe that everyone in the Chamber agrees with that. Child poverty is devastating, but it does not exist in a vacuum. Rather, poverty affects families as a whole. Our aim should therefore be to address poverty in its entirety, and that is what the Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has done through the Executive's anti-poverty strategy. <BR /> <BR />I am a member of the Public Accounts Committee, which undertook the child poverty inquiry. It is a bit disingenuous of the SDLP to use the findings of that inquiry to attack the Minister.”
“The Minister knows that I am progressing a Member's Bill on women and girls in sports in Northern Ireland. One of the themes of the feedback on it is that, when young girls turn away from sport, they rarely come back. Does the Minister agree that investment in grassroots sports facilities to ensure that young girls have safe spaces for changing and showering is critical and needs to be supported?”
“At the weekend, the Northern Ireland Football League Women's Football Awards recognised Valley Rangers Ladies and Girls FC and Moneyslane Ladies FC from my constituency, which was brilliant to see. I want to be able to do more, however. Women and girls in Northern Ireland deserve to have equality, fairness and safety when they are trying to access and to participate in sport. I encourage everyone to continue to engage, to reach out to me and, please, to take part in my consultation to feed into it. Together, we can bring change forward.”
“Women also feel unsafe when they are out alone for exercise and in the evenings. There is a widespread safeguarding issue because of the lack of single-sex spaces and changing and showering facilities. That is also an issue of key concern that needs to be addressed. <BR /> <BR />The third theme of my private Member's Bill is fairness. Women and girls should be afforded the opportunity to participate in fair competition so that they can excel and be rewarded for their success by competing against other biological females. Every woman and girl should have the opportunity to participate fairly in their sport and be rewarded when they are the best in their category. <BR /> <BR />In spite of the many barriers, women's sports and girls' sports are thriving.”
“First, on equality of access, there are many barriers in place for women and girls who want to participate in sport, such as access to funding, a lack of facilities, extra kit and complexities, periods and pregnancy, the perception of women and girls doing sport, and the additional cost involved. The Female Sports Forum recently issued a report that outlines a lot of the issues. Equality issues, such as equality of access, are important and need to be addressed. <BR /> <BR />The second theme is safety and safeguarding. There are significant safeguarding issues across sports here, particularly for our young girls. From speaking to organisations, it became worryingly apparent to me that AccessNI vetting checks need to be improved across the board. I would love to see that matter addressed.”
“Women and girls who participate in sport in Northern Ireland are entitled to equality, fairness and safety. That sounds like common sense, but, unfortunately, such things are not guaranteed. They are not happening in practice, which is why I have been working on a private Member's Bill to address those issues and the many associated ones. The consultation on the proposed Bill will be open until Friday 24 October. I have engaged with a number of organisations, groups, clubs, schools and individuals, and I thank all those who have engaged with me so far. <BR /> <BR />Some key issues have arisen across the three main themes in the Bill.”
“Like others, I send my best to the Minister and her husband following the absolutely appalling attack outside their home. I offer my continued support to her for her strong work on the abuse of elected representatives, particularly female ones. <BR /> <BR />Minister, in light of the figures, some support groups recently expressed concern at the all-party group (APG) on domestic and sexual violence — you touched on this — that the PSNI's reporting of a reduced number of offences is painting a picture that the number of incidents and the number of crimes have reduced, yet agencies and groups such as Women's Aid are reporting higher numbers of self-referrals. Minister, is there any forum in which we can bring together the different support groups, alongside the PSNI, to paint a full picture of what is happening here?”
“Unemployment is Northern Ireland stands at 2·6%, which is lower than the Republic's 4·6%. Housing in Dublin is in crisis, while homeownership here is still within reach for our working families. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland benefits from being part of the world's sixth-largest economy, that of our United Kingdom. That is what Sinn Féin refuses to acknowledge. Northern Ireland works, and it works for everyone. I will always be proud to defend Northern Ireland and its place in our United Kingdom.”
“<BR /> <BR />Let me be clear that Northern Ireland is an amazing country, which I am proud to call my home. From its natural beauty to its boasts of amazing tourist attractions — the Mountains of Mourne, the Giant's Causeway, Titanic Belfast, the Fermanagh lakelands and many more — it is a special place with good people. There are many key facts that Sinn Féin chooses to ignore in its opinion of this place. In education, our pupils lead the way, outperforming their peers across Britain and the Republic. In healthcare, our NHS is free at the point of need, unlike in the Republic, where a visit to a GP costs €80. The Northern Ireland economy exported £65 billion worth of goods last year. It has attracted world-class investors and, with its strong agri-food sector, is leading the way in farming and fishing.”
“The shock and disgust on the faces of the young people in front of whom she said that was clear. Her comment was unprofessional and disrespectful and showed outright hatred for our wee country, proudly spouted by a senior Sinn Féin member. It set out clearly what Sinn Féin thinks of this place and of the people here, including many of its own voters. Is that why its Ministers do not bother? Is that why the Minister for Infrastructure is happy to let the roads fall apart or why the Minister for the Economy fails to champion Northern Ireland, promote and support our businesses and celebrate their successes? Is that why the Minister of Finance sits back and blames British austerity for everything yet seeks to do little for people here himself?”
“Last week, we heard some deeply disturbing comments from the former Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew, who stated on a BBC podcast that IRA murders were "justified". No murder is ever justified. Sinn Féin's relentless justification of IRA murders and its glorification of IRA murderers and terrorism is disgraceful and scoffs at innocent victims across this country. For the self-proclaimed First Minister for all to state that there was no alternative to IRA violence is pure hypocrisy. I apologise for quoting Sinn Féin member Michelle Gildernew, Mr Speaker, but, on the same podcast, she went on to say that Northern Ireland is a "shithole". <BR /> <BR />The mask truly slipped. Michelle Gildernew's outburst tells us everything that we need to know about Sinn Féin.”
“Obviously, everything comes into play when we see severe storms.”
“Minister, I echo the comments of others in condemning the attack on your office. I know how busy your office is, given that it is in the heart of Newry and so close to Daisy Hill Hospital. It was unacceptable. <BR /> <BR />Minister, hearing those updates on what is happening with the flood forecasting centre on that wider scale is welcome, but I want to bring it back to basics. On Friday, when the storm was coming in, I was out and about in the Mournes area. Flash flooding occurred simultaneously between Newcastle and Annalong at Bloody Bridge and between Gamekeeper's Lodge and Moyad in Kilkeel, which made it quite difficult to access the entire Kilkeel area. A lot of that might have been down to drainage and run-off. Are those basic things being reviewed hand in hand with the higher-level strategy?”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank those who have worked in the Minister's Department and the General Register Office for bringing forward the legislation at pace and being available to the Committee at every opportunity. Also, in Baby Loss Awareness Week, it is great to see an extension to include the baby loss certificates when the legislation passes. We remember all those lost babies and pray for the families throughout this week, and we are there for them throughout the rest of the year. <BR /> <BR />The DUP supports the extension in the expectation that it will be the last one. We welcome the fact that permanent legislation has been brought forward.”
“I will make a point that, as the Chair said, has been consistently made by my colleague Paul Frew — we are thankful for his time on the Finance Committee, and he has moved to Chair the Justice Committee — which is that we are disappointed that, some four years on from the pandemic, we still operate under the rules of coronavirus regulations, and we would like to see them removed as soon as possible. It is disappointing to be here for another extension. However, we fully accept that the regulations for the electronic registration of deaths and still births are good, practical law, which, as the Minister outlined, helps to keep the process efficient and reduce the trauma for families at a difficult time.”
“A council that ignores genuine concerns and local people is one that is destined for a difficult path. <BR /> <BR />We in the DUP will always speak up on that, even if we stand alone. We will speak up for common sense and for the ratepayers of our district, who have legitimate concerns. They deserve to be heard.”
“We need to have the details to address the legitimate concerns that have been raised by many. Where people are ignored and silenced, trust is lost. Our DUP team has significant concerns about what the charter might mean for encouraging illegal immigrants to come to this country. It could create a barrier to lawful and justified removal of those who come here illegally. The fact is that legitimate concerns are ignored and swept under the carpet time and again in the House and throughout councils. The lack of respect serves no good end. It is commonplace in our Sinn Féin-dominated council, where our unionist councillors, who are severely in the minority, are, time and again, shut out, cast aside and shown a huge lack of respect. Council needs to tread carefully.”
“There was no public consultation. The public learned of it in the press and had many questions. They went to councillors and Council Direct and received nothing. The council then issued a scant "frequently asked questions" document answering the questions that, the council decided, needed to be answered, not those of the public. The people arranged a public meeting in a local place, inviting the council to outline the plans and what they meant. The council blocked the meeting, and it did not occur. The people then took to the streets of Newry city to voice their concerns. Only two DUP councillors went along to speak and share the concerns of the wider public. <BR /> <BR />Newry, Mourne and Down District Council needs to be honest about the practicalities and costs of what it means for the people of the district.”