Eóin Tennyson
Upper Bann · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“Those who have come forward only now, saying that they are not surprised or that they always suspected that something was wrong, simply to use this as part of a grudge match and settle old scores, should hang their heads in shame, as should those who have attempted to use this matter for party political point-scoring in the Chamber today.…”
“Jeffrey Donaldson and Jeffrey Donaldson alone is responsible for his heinous abuse. We know that abusers lurk in the shadows and that this could have befallen any organisation, community or political party. The allegations that came to light in the 'Spotlight' documentary, however, go beyond the actions of one individual.”
“Scandal after scandal has shown that those who push puritanical, sanctimonious and hostile rhetoric towards the LGBTQ+ community are guilty of nauseating hypocrisy. All Members, including those in the DUP, should reflect on that, on the harm caused, apologise to the LGBTQ+ community and change course.”
“We owe it to them to ensure that, never again, will an institution be prioritised over the protection of victims and to make policy change to ensure that faith-based counselling is regulated, safeguarding procedures are followed and, importantly, that reforms are made to our RSE system so that, never again, will a child or young person no…”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. This is an unconventional intervention, but we are in unprecedented times. I ask for your assurance that you will engage fully with any investigations or inquiries that come about as a result of matters that were raised over the weekend.”
“The response from statutory agencies is consistently inadequate. Despite it being an offence under article 87 of the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993, we see no enforcement action whatever from the Department for Infrastructure. I call on the Infrastructure Minister to set out what she will do to start to tackle the issue.”
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“An independent review is a crucial first step in ensuring that our rating system is progressive and fair and supports economic growth, as well as being aligned with the Executive's economic priorities. It is key to examining inequalities in the rating system, such as the situation in which relatively small businesses, like the No. 7 cafe in my constituency, face enormous bills. No. 7 faced an eye-watering £70,000 rates bill whilst larger online businesses pay proportionally less. The Finance Minister has said in the Chamber that the rating system has been reviewed numerous times, but such examples are evidence that those reviews have clearly not been adequate. I remain entirely unconvinced that previous reviews enjoyed the levels of independence or breadth of scope necessary to bring about much-needed change.”
“That is time that these businesses do not have. As such, it would be preferable for the UK Government to take action in the first instance; indeed, the Alliance Party has called on them to do so. <BR /> <BR />Making the case for increased fiscal devolution will require the reform of these institutions to ensure that they are stable, but it will also require evidence that the Executive are using the powers already at their disposal well. In that context, we cannot ignore the other policy levers available to us, including the vital role of rates, over which the Executive already have direct control. That is what our amendment seeks to achieve in calling for an independent and holistic review of the non-domestic rate relief system.”
“I am, however, in favour of additional support, because I recognise that the cost to the public purse of losing otherwise sustainable and viable businesses will far outweigh the cost of upfront intervention. It is important, however, to note that there is a live debate about what that support looks like and what the best approach is. <BR /> <BR />I note that the motion calls for "the devolution of VAT" powers to the Executive in order to achieve its aim. As someone who is in favour of greater fiscal devolution and fiscal autonomy for this place, I have no principled objection to that aspiration. Practically, however, we may need to be cognisant of a number of factors. The Fiscal Commission highlighted the potential complexity of the devolution of VAT, meaning that any process of devolution would likely be time-consuming.”
“<BR /> <BR />The pandemic, however, proved not only the resilience and agility of our pubs, restaurants and accommodation businesses but the ability of government to act quickly in the face of crisis through temporary cuts to VAT and the roll-out of Eat Out to Help Out. Internationally, it is important to note that VAT on accommodation is lower in countries such as Austria and Belgium than it is in the UK, and, for restaurants, it is lower in places like Croatia and Italy. Therefore, there is an argument that, in many instances, the UK is taxing those sectors more than is the case in comparable European countries. <BR /> <BR />As a member of the Finance Committee, I am acutely aware of the constraints that are on budgets right across the public sector.”
“The hospitality sector is a vital part of our economy. Hospitality UK estimates that our local hospitality sector employs 74,000 people and contributes in the region of £1·9 billion to our local economy, yet those businesses are at the thin edge of an economic wedge that is not of their making. Having weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, they now face labour shortages as a result of Brexit, and they are contending with the double-edged cost-of-living and cost-of-doing-business crisis, with customers cutting back on discretionary spend whilst high energy costs simultaneously eat away at their bottom line.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. She will be aware of calls from victim support organisations for an extension to the deadline for applications for backdated payments. Does she support that call? What representations has she made to the UK Government to that effect?”
“Financial assistance after flooding is one side of the equation. Will the Minister outline any engagement that she has had with the Minister for Infrastructure around flood prevention and alleviation schemes?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I note that the comparison to dual-language street signs was made. Does the Member agree that that is a strong point, in that there is a clearly defined process of consultation and application for dual-language street signage and a similar process should apply for the erection of flags?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. The Minister has outlined the capital pressures in relation to the allocations in the Budget. I note that the Strule Shared Education Campus is one of the earmarked projects listed in the written ministerial statement. The cost of that project is ballooning and has been criticised by the independent review of education and the Audit Office. How can the Minister be sure that that is not an empty promise to those schools and how can she be confident that it is not a Public Accounts Committee inquiry in the making?”
“I thank the Minister. That is positive news. The Minister will be aware that the cost of connection, lack of market support and planning timelines are the three big barriers that are always cited by the renewables sector. Further to his announcement about connection charging, what engagement has the Minister had with his colleague in the Department for Infrastructure about planning improvement programmes?”
“<BR /> <BR />It is, however, a matter of regret that applicability motions are another element of Assembly procedure that is subject to cross-community vote. When it comes to Brexit, we talk on numerous occasions about the importance of cross-community consent. However, I am conscious that the people whom I represent are not properly included in that process. My party will continue to articulate and raise concerns about that issue. <BR /> <BR />We are happy to support the motion.”
“Whilst there are no pet food manufacturers in Northern Ireland currently registered as organic, we have to be cognisant of the fact that there may well be those who wish to enter the market in the future, and the regulation guarantees them that additional flexibility. <BR /> <BR />The regulation not only brings pet food into line with standards for human and livestock food, which sounds eminently sensible, but enhances alignment across these islands, moving us to a common production standard across the UK and EU to ensure that any pet food producers who seek to operate from Northern Ireland will continue to have the benefit of accessing both markets. Again, that is a huge advantage. In some ways, it is small, but it is not insignificant, and we should all be advocates of it.”
“In that vein, I support the motion, and, at the outset, I welcome the fact that the First and deputy First Ministers have managed to jointly table the motion on this occasion. It is a genuinely positive step, and I believe — I hope, rather — that we have crossed the Rubicon in our approach to dealing with EU law, which is important, albeit technical, in this instance. <BR /> <BR />Organic products are a highly regulated area. For a product to bear an organic logo, it must be subject to a fairly robust process. The motion before us is about a specific area: organic pet food. In effect, the regulation provides additional flexibility to producers, meaning that products containing 95% organic ingredients can be marketed as such.”
“Like others, I intend to be uncharacteristically brief on the motion. <BR /> <BR />My party's overriding economic priority throughout the Brexit process has been to protect and uphold Northern Ireland's dual market access, giving us a unique and privileged competitive advantage. Sustaining that dual market access will require parties to take a pragmatic approach to applicability motions and to democratic scrutiny more broadly, prioritising the substance of motions over party politics or ideology. <BR /> <BR />If we are to take full advantage of the opportunities before us, we owe it to our business community to offer the maturity, certainty and stability that it so desires.”
“I believe that the DUP has engaged in a dog whistle to the far right. There are many parents out there with legitimate concerns and questions, which I believe can be assuaged and addressed, but, instead, the DUP chooses to capitalise on that fear, to spread misinformation and to contribute nothing more to this debate than fear, prejudice and hate.”
“No, it is not parents. I want to be clear about this.”
“<BR /> <BR />I want to return to my comments about a dog whistle to the far right. I think that we heard a very strong dog whistle to the far right from Mr Buckley here today. I therefore stand by my remarks —.”
“I will take my evidence not from the DUP, which does not have a good record on that either, but from the NSPCC, the Children's Law Centre and the Children's Commissioner, which have safeguarding at their heart and are experts in their field. Again, I make no apologies for that. <BR /> <BR />We have heard about the balance of parental rights and children's rights and about the family unit. I agree that there is a balance to be struck. It is, however, also true, tragically, that the family unit is one of the most common places for sexual abuse to happen. We have a responsibility to those children to ensure that they are empowered to protect themselves, to spot the signs of abuse and to go to a trusted adult and report it. If we cannot do that, we are failing those children. I ask Members to think on that.”
“That continues today with RSE in schools being outsourced to religious organisations. If the science curriculum was outsourced and a religious organisation refused to teach the theory of evolution, we would not stand for it, so why do we accept an approach to RSE in some of our schools that is not evidence-based? That is not good enough. <BR /> <BR />We heard a lecture from Mr Brooks about the imposition of ethical values. I take great exception to that, given that the DUP, of all parties, is the party that, for too many years, has inserted itself into the lives of women — their bodily autonomy — and the lives of LGBT people — their right to marry. The DUP is in no position to lecture those of us on these Benches about the imposition of values or about human rights or equality. <BR /> <BR />There was talk about evidence.”
“There was one — one — fleeting reference to same-sex couples, which was met with laughter from teachers and pupils in the school. Can you imagine how it feels to be a young person struggling with internalised homophobia, scared to tell your parents, relatives and friends who you are, only to have your sexuality laughed at in a public forum? That is not good enough, Members, and it is incumbent on all of us in the Chamber to change it. <BR /> <BR />A number of assertions have been made, and I have taken note of a few of them. I would say, first, that my experience was indoctrination. It was not education. I was not given all the information that I needed to be able to make an informed choice in line with my ethical values. Someone else's ethical values were imposed on me.”
“On the first occasion, a religious facilitator was brought into the school to preach abstinence, to tell us that sex was for marriage and that that was our only choice. As a young LGBT person at school who, at that stage, could not get married, I knew that that facilitator was not speaking to me, that I was invisible and that that lesson and that education were not for me. They did not deal with my kind there. That is not an experience that any young person should have in 2024 in Northern Ireland. Yet, it remains a reality for too many of our young people. I am proud to be a member of a party that comes to the Chamber, against all the bile and rhetoric from others, to advocate change. <BR /> <BR />On the second occasion, the facilitator who came into the school, in fairness, tried to administer some level of fact-based RSE.”
“I had not intended to speak on this motion, but, given that I have proven popular amongst DUP Members, I thought that it would be remiss of me not to respond. <BR /> <BR />I want to address a number of the points that have been raised in the debate, but, in the first instance, I want to speak about some personal experience. I always try to avoid speaking about personal experience, but I think that it might add something for some Members in the Chamber. <BR /> <BR />I was at school not that long ago and more recently than most Members in this place. I have two poignant memories of relationships and sexuality education in school — it was so rare that I can actually remember those occasions.”
“Achieving that vision will require action not just from the Communities Minister but from right across our Executive, not least the Department for Infrastructure, whose inaction on waste water infrastructure is holding up as many as 19,000 homes. The challenges are undoubtedly huge, but I hope that parties can unite today on the issue and take the first progressive step towards the change that is needed.”
“In that context, the limited protection offered by the Private Tenancies Act, whilst welcome, does not, in itself, go far enough, nor can it be the ceiling of our ambition. That is why we cannot support the DUP amendment. <BR /> <BR />Business as usual is simply not good enough in the face of a crisis. We must see a step change in approach and a new deal for renters. Primary legislation to deliver an end to unfair no-fault evictions once and for all is an important step in that process. That should, of course, be supported by an increase in supply through the implementation of an ambitious but credible housing supply strategy that is predicated on a robust and independent assessment of need, alongside action to explore and deliver a system of rent controls and a renewed focus on improving housing quality.”
“That, along with soaring rents, a social housing waiting list that has almost doubled in the past two decades and the fact that over 4,500 children are in temporary accommodation, is evidence that a complete and radical overhaul is now required. <BR /> <BR />As has already been referenced in the debate, we, as elected representatives, all have experience of constituents who are fearful of reporting required repairs or who are living in private rented accommodation that simply is not fit for purpose. So too are we all aware of the barriers facing young people who are struggling to get out of their parents' back bedroom and into their first home due to affordability issues.”
“I thank the Opposition for tabling the motion, which we support, and for the opportunity to have this important debate. <BR /> <BR />Everyone has a right to feel secure in their home, to feel settled in their local community and to enjoy stability so that they can look forward to the future and plan with confidence. Instead, thousands of responsible tenants can still be uprooted by their landlord, at any time and without justification, simply because they are outside of a fixed-term tenancy or licence agreement. The precarious nature of renting and the looming risk of losing a home through no fault of their own is a sad and anxiety-inducing reality for far too many of our constituents. Loss of private rented accommodation was the cause of almost 3,000 families presenting as homeless last year.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Surely, the Stormont brake mechanism is a last resort and we should be seeking to engage as best we can to secure a derogation in advance. Again, does the Minister believe that a derogation is the right option? What engagement has he had with the UK Government and European counterparts to pursue that aim?”
“I am sure that the Minister agrees that our priority in that area has to be ensuring that trans individuals get the appropriate care and that their dignity and human rights are respected at all times. Will the Minister commit to engaging further with the LGBT sector and children's rights organisations before pursuing further change in that area?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. A key issue highlighted in the report prepared for the interdepartmental working group was about the deterioration of the records of religious and voluntary organisations. What steps is the Minister's Department taking to ensure that those records are protected, and will we see that reflected in the draft legislation?”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. I would like some clarity on the issue. The 10 integrated education projects are at a very different stage of development from that of Strule. As I understand it, Strule does not yet have a business case, so why has the decision been made at this juncture to allocate the money to Strule now? Is it a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul? Is there a risk that all the schools will be disappointed as a result of the approach that the Ministers are taking?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. She referred to the Department's business rates review consultation in 2019, in which a number of consultees said that they believe that a more holistic review of rate reliefs was needed, and to the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre, which advises her Department and made a similar suggestion. To be clear, is the Minister saying that she disagrees with that view?”
“We must return at the earliest opportunity to multi-year budgets, properly invest in the transformation of our services and learn from international best practice on green budgeting to ensure that our Budget process better protects our environment and upholds our climate commitments.”
“Taking an ostrich approach, despite the overspills polluting our rivers and Lough Neagh and the constraints on development hampering housing supply and damaging our economy, is an abdication of responsibility and is symptomatic of the inertia that has pervaded successive Executives and walked us to the financial and environmental challenges that we now face as an Executive. <BR /> <BR />I support the resolutions today, but I will put down a marker at this stage: going forward to the Main Estimates and the Budget Bill for this year, we need to see a step change in approach.”
“Indeed, if we are to secure substantive progress in negotiations with Treasury, we must demonstrate that we are serious partners and are able to take the long-term decisions necessary to improve efficiency and outcomes for the people whom we represent. It was therefore galling to be present at the debate yesterday on the future of funding for NI Water, during which the Minister could not even commit to an expert-led review of the funding and governance arrangements of that organisation, despite the Northern Ireland Audit Office's clear recommendations.”
“It is important that we are accurate about this. In fairness to the Ministers, the decision to remove ring fencing was not theirs. The Member said that, and it is important that we are accurate about it. Capital money has been found for other projects, however, so it is a question of priority as to whether the Ministers want to return that money to its originally intended purpose and provide funding for the 10 integrated projects. They absolutely should. <BR /> <BR />While I would be the first to argue that Northern Ireland has been chronically underfunded in recent years and that a failed policy of Tory austerity has decimated our public services and damaged our economy, we cannot shirk our responsibilities to deliver a programme of public-sector transformation in this place.”
“Given the impending spending review within the next year, the urgency cannot be overstated. <BR /> <BR />Another challenge arising from the UK Government's financial package has been the removal of ring fencing for Fresh Start funding for integrated schools. It is important to emphasise that, while ring fencing has been removed, the money has not been and is not lost to the Executive. It is disappointing that, despite requests, there appears to have been no serious effort by the Finance Minister or the Education Minister to re-profile that money for its original purpose, which was to support integrated education and to seek to educate more of our children together. That is vital for our society and for our education system's financial stability.”
“I do not believe that anyone in the Assembly can argue that, despite dwindling police numbers and pressure on prison capacity, the current funding arrangements are adequate to meet the needs of victims or our wider community. No doubt, during today's debate, a similar story of pressure across the public sector will be told. <BR /> <BR />While I entirely respect the fact that negotiations on our funding arrangements with Treasury are ongoing, I am concerned that, seven weeks on from the previous debate on the Budget Bill, we do not have a great deal more insight into the direction of travel: the powers being sought for fiscal devolution; how the Minister intends to address conditionality around revenue raising; and whether and when an independent commission to advise on our funding formula will be established.”
“The challenges pertaining to underfunding are perhaps evident nowhere more so than in our justice system. Since justice was devolved, the Department of Health has seen an increase in its budget of 68%, while the Department of Education has seen one of over 35%. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has seen an increase of just 3%. That is further compounded by the fact that, as more and more people fall through the gaps in service elsewhere in the system — be it in mental health, addiction, early years, education, employment or housing — more and more falls to the Department of Justice as the provider of first and last resort.”
“<BR /> <BR />There is no doubt that the over £1 billion made available in 2023-24 has provided much-needed relief to public services, as well as significant and welcome progress on addressing a range of outstanding public-sector pay claims. In previous debates, I have raised the issue of non-teaching pay, as Mr Brett has done today. I recognise the progress that has been made by the Department of Education and the Department of Finance since restoration. It is welcome, and I trust that the matter can be resolved swiftly. <BR /> <BR />It has been well rehearsed by now, however — I will not dwell on the point — that the package in its entirety did not provide long-term stability. There is an urgent need for a renewed fiscal framework and a properly baselined fiscal floor, set at the appropriate level.”
“In recent debates on the Budget Bill and on public-sector pay, successive MLAs from the two largest parties pretended that there was no consequence from not having had a Government in five of the past seven years and that we merely stood still. That is a convenient lie, told to justify the huge damage that has been done. That damage was evident in the Main Estimates predicated on the Secretary of State's punishment Budget, which implemented a swathe of cuts across the public sector that could not be undone in the final few weeks of the previous financial year. <BR /> <BR />The most significant movements from the Main Estimates to the spring Supplementary Estimates are a result of the financial package that the Chief Secretary to the Treasury confirmed on 15 February. I will address some of the issues pertaining to that pot of money.”
“There is no point in other parties coming to the Chamber to bemoan the process that we are in or the damage to our public services and public finances caused by repeated suspension if they are not willing to commit to the reform that is necessary to ensure that it never happens again.”
“I support the resolutions, though, in doing so, I am conscious that the debate on the spring Supplementary Estimates is largely academic given that the detailed spending plans have already been legislated for in the Budget Act. <BR /> <BR />It has been said that these are exceptional circumstances. They are, but too often in the Assembly is our Budget process exceptional: upended by stop-start Government and subsequently progressed, through necessity, hastily and in the absence of the levels of scrutiny and debate that the people whom we represent rightly deserve and expect. That is why Alliance has consistently and persistently advocated for the reform of these institutions.”
“<BR /> <BR />The United Nations Secretary-General, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have all said that Israel is engaged in grave violations of international law, and the International Criminal Court has said that there is a plausible case that Israel's actions are a breach of the genocide convention. In that context and with the Israeli Government showing no intention of heeding their allies, the international community can no longer shirk its responsibilities. The UK Government must now comply with their own moral and domestic and international legal obligations and immediately move to suspend arms sales to Israel.”
“However, those vile attacks can be no justification for the illegal collective punishment and slaughter of Palestinian civilians that has followed. <BR /> <BR />Defeat of Hamas will not be achieved through famine and humanitarian crisis, nor will the foundations for lasting peace and security be laid on the graves of thousands of innocent women and children. I am always reluctant to draw glib comparisons between international conflicts; however, the one lesson that we can export from our experience in Northern Ireland is that progress cannot be made until the killing stops. There is no military solution here. That is why there must an immediate permanent ceasefire, release of hostages without further delay and a recommitment from international leaders to diplomatic efforts towards a two-state solution.”
“The killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers last week in Gaza is another horrifying milestone in the conflict. Those men and women were heroes, putting themselves at risk to support those most in need, and their deaths are a sadly inevitable consequence of the callous manner in which war is being waged by the far-right Israeli Government. <BR /> <BR />Like others, I have watched on in despair and distress at the escalating violence, murder, destruction and mass starvation that has been orchestrated over the past six months. To be clear, I stand in full solidarity with the victims of the abhorrent Hamas attacks on 7 October and commend the families who are campaigning with dignity for the safe return of their loved ones who have been taken hostage.”
“I commend the motion to the House and ask parties to unite around the issue.”
“I agree about the management bodies. I am conscious of time. I will just say that shared education is about putting children from different community backgrounds in different uniforms. In some cases, if it is not managed well — some shared campuses do it very well —.”
“I would appreciate it if the same priority were attached to those integrated projects that we referenced, which brings me back to Mr Butler's comments on Strule. This is in no way to be disrespectful to Strule; it is simply that Strule is not funded by the same mechanism. My colleague Kate Nicholl put it well when she talked about shared education not being the final destination. The Alliance Party is clear that we have a vision for a single education system. We have to be honest: we cannot maintain parental choice indefinitely and also seek to have a single education system; those positions are contradictory.”
“<BR /> <BR />Where next steps are concerned, we are not simply coming to the Chamber to decry the position that we are now in. We want to be constructive and offer the Minister suggestions on the way forward. The motion notes the Minister's letter to the Secretary of State, which is welcome. However, that should not be the end of the road. We believe that there should be an engagement with the Finance Minister in order to seek a resource to capital switch to enable that money to be returned for its original purpose. That may not be entirely in the Minister's gift, but we could do it and seek to prioritise it. <BR /> <BR />I am also aware that the Minister made reference to Strule and his intention to bid for money for it.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am conscious of time. <BR /> <BR />I do not want to play politics with the issue, but, in fairness, the Member raised it, and I am responding to the points that he made. It is important to set the record straight on that. <BR /> <BR />Gerry Carroll made comments about the pressures that Irish-medium education faces. I agree and understand the concerns that exist in that sector. <BR /> <BR />The Minister made a number of comments. First of all, I commend him for his visits to all sectors in recent days. They have been incredibly welcome, but it is apparent that the Minister is perhaps a better marcher than he is a céilí dancer. That was reported very well in his visit to Dungannon, but, genuinely, I thank the Minister for his work on that.”