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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“A two-state solution provides the only viable means by which Palestinians and Israelis can live side by side in peace and security. The Israeli Government, however, have rejected that position, instead seeking to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank, with the Israeli Finance Minister explicitly stating that it would:”
“It is obscene and heartbreaking that, while children starve in Gaza, abundant food lies just miles away. <BR /> <BR />The Labour Government too must end their complicity. The strongly worded statements of condemnation must be matched with action through the full suspension of arms sales, the introduction of sanctions against Netanyahu's security cabinet and withdrawal from the UK-Israel free trade agreement. The UK rightly took steps against Russia following its illegal invasion of Ukraine and must take robust action now to defend international law in Gaza. Gaza must not become a graveyard for international law and human rights. <BR /> <BR />Alliance has also long supported the recognition of a Palestinian state, but that is more urgent than ever today.”
“Let me also take this opportunity today to condemn the horrific terrorist attack that took place in Jerusalem yesterday. There can never be justification for attacks on innocent civilians, but nor can the vile actions of Hamas excuse the collective punishment of an entire civilian population, a population that has not had the opportunity to cast a vote for Hamas in almost 20 years. <BR /> <BR />To be clear, defeat of Hamas will not be achieved through famine and suffering, nor will the foundations for lasting peace or security be laid on the graves of thousands of innocent men, women and children in Gaza. All lives are equal, Palestinian and Israeli. There must be an immediate and permanent ceasefire and unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.”
“The situation in Gaza is a man-made humanitarian catastrophe. Over 63,000 people have been killed, and many more have been maimed and injured. The strip lies in ruins, and famine now grips the population. Over 1,400 health workers, over 200 journalists and over 100 aid workers have been murdered. When children are shot while collecting aid, families are forcibly displaced and starvation is wielded as a weapon of war, we must speak plainly and act decisively. What we are witnessing playing out on our television screens is a genocide, and we have a duty to act. <BR /> <BR />Alliance has consistently and unequivocally condemned the terrorist attacks of Hamas on 7 October, which claimed the lives of over 1,200 Israelis and resulted in the capture of over 250 hostages. We have continued to call for their immediate and unconditional release.”
“On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Will you clarify the Standing Order under which Nuala McAllister was asked to leave the Chamber, the length of her suspension and why no question was put to the Assembly regarding her suspension?”
“I will not give way again. Thank you, Steve. <BR /> <BR />It is long past time that we moved beyond rehearsing the same old tired, circular arguments and talking Northern Ireland down. We have an opportunity to focus on practical and pragmatic solutions aimed at building on the protections of the Windsor framework and creating a more stable, prosperous and vibrant economy and future for everyone who calls this place "home". On that basis, we will not indulge or support the motion or the amendment.”
“The Northern Ireland economy grew faster than the UK average. I make no apologies for championing the interests of Northern Ireland businesses above all others. Crucially, nowhere in its report does the FSB call for the suspension of the Windsor framework, as both the motion and the amendment clearly do. On the contrary, the report explicitly calls on the Executive to "promote dual market access" and:”
“I could not agree more. That causes cash flow issues for businesses, and it is a practical issue that could be addressed by government. Alliance is also clear, however, that, through returning to, at least, the customs union and, ideally, the single market, we can wipe away much of that Brexit-related bureaucracy. <BR /> <BR />Today's motion omits key facts from the Federation of Small Businesses report. Some 87% of the businesses that responded to the survey were based in England, Scotland and Wales, businesses that do not enjoy the protections available to businesses in Northern Ireland under the Windsor framework. When we look at export statistics, we see that business exports were up by 7% in Northern Ireland last year. In Scotland, they were down by 13%; in England, they were down 4·5%; and, in Wales, they were down by 9%.”
“Unlike the proposer of the motion, we have set out solutions to ease that burden through simplification of the at-risk category, improvements to the Trader Support Service, streamlining of the customs duty reimbursement scheme, and awareness and training campaigns for GB-based suppliers.”
“It told those who warned of supply chain issues that they could, "Go to the chippy", and, shamefully, it said that it could live with up to 40,000 job losses in the event of a no-deal Brexit. To attempt now to pin the consequences of its Brexit squarely on the Windsor framework is akin to driving your car square into a brick wall and blaming the airbag for your bloody nose. <BR /> <BR />The Windsor framework is imperfect, as any solution short of full EU membership would be, but it is the bare minimum that is required to mitigate the impact of Brexit on our economy, create stability for business and protect the Good Friday Agreement. Let me say this clearly and unequivocally: Alliance recognises the challenges facing many of our smallest businesses.”
“That may well not be the fantasy that previous Governments promised, but it is certainly the Brexit that those of us on these Benches voted against, because everyone knew that, whatever was written on the side of Boris Johnson's campaign bus, the DUP would inevitably end up under it. <BR /> <BR />Alliance warned that leaving the EU meant new borders and new barriers and that those were always going to be constructed at ports and airports, where they could be managed and mitigated, rather than along a 300-mile land border. That is just logic, something that the DUP never applied during the Brexit debate. Instead, it told us that we were scaremongering.”
“It is telling that the first motion that we are debating in the Chamber on our return from summer recess is not about the crisis that faces children with special educational needs, hospital waiting lists, the ecological crisis that faces Lough Neagh or the cost-of-living crisis bearing down on our constituents; rather, it is a crass attempt from the DUP to relitigate old arguments and rewrite history. I understand why the DUP wants to do that, for it is not a pretty history from its perspective. Having campaigned for, promoted and voted for Brexit, it is once again shedding crocodile tears at the inevitable consequences of Brexit. <BR /> <BR />Our departure from the EU has been a monumental act of self-harm. It increased division in our politics and chaos in the UK economy and deprived us of key opportunities.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Will she agree that Dr Aiken's contribution to the debate was outrageous and that it is not wrong to hold the Israeli Government accountable for their actions, in that he would struggle to point to any other democracy that has murdered 50,000 people?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. To correct the record, the SDLP brought a motion to the House last year that was supported. It condemned Hamas and called for the immediate release of hostages. The Member's party voted against it. <BR /> <BR />Secondly, on his point about civilian infrastructure being used to create human shields, surely the Member would agree that, with military and intelligence of such might, Israel could take a more targeted approach than bombarding civilians.”
“I agree with the Member that transparency is absolutely essential. Does he agree that it is appalling that the Israeli Government will not allow international journalists into Gaza to verify those figures?”
“Minister, the strategy refers to promoting "good family structure". What is good family structure, and how will you ensure that the strategy does not stigmatise single-parent families and other diverse family types in our community?”
“The truth is that when families, including a pregnant mother, were put out of their home and into temporary accommodation, your response as Minister was to, first, amplify the location of that temporary accommodation and, secondly, distance yourself shamefully from the decision to place them there. Minister, do you accept that your actions were irresponsible and reckless? Do you recognise that if you were a Minister anywhere else in these islands, you would already be gone?”
“Minister, in your discussions with Treasury, was there any specific discussion of the issue of funding for policing and justice in Northern Ireland?”
“Rather, we should take responsibility for our role in addressing and dealing with such challenges in our communities. <BR /> <BR />To the politicians who have fanned the flames of division in recent weeks, I gently say this: please reflect, and let us work collectively to build a better and truly united community for everyone.”
“Last week, I spoke to a principal who noted that school attendance was down by almost 30% because so many families had been displaced from their homes. No family in our community should ever have to leave their home out of fear for their safety. <BR /> <BR />We need immigration in Northern Ireland: that is the truth. The people who choose Northern Ireland as their home make a valuable contribution to our society, be it through teaching in our schools or through working in our health service, agri-food sector, hospitality industry and so many other areas. I am ashamed of what I witnessed in my home town. Of course, there are deep-seated social issues and inequalities, and many of our constituents face poverty. We should never scapegoat migrants for that crisis, however.”
“<BR /> <BR />I express my unwavering support for and solidarity with our ethnic minority community and our migrant community, particularly in Portadown, because I know that many of them are feeling fearful.”
“I add my voice to the condemnation of the violent attacks on PSNI officers in Portadown last week. I want to be clear: what we witnessed was not protest. It was not legitimate and cannot be explained, excused or contextualised. It was wanton, racist thuggery. Those responsible for violence over the past week cannot profess to care about violence against women and girls while targeting women and girls in their homes. They cannot profess to be worried about a housing crisis when burning homes. They cannot profess to be interested in pressure on public services when destroying a leisure centre. It is important that, as elected representatives, we be clear and unequivocal in calling that out.”
“<BR /> <BR />Beyond politics, Seán was a committed European and played an active role in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Europe, as well as serving on the board of the Northern Ireland Centre in Europe. His love of maritime heritage led to roles on the board of National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland, the UK National Historic Ships Committee and the Northern Ireland Museums Council. <BR /> <BR />Seán's life and legacy have left an indelible mark on all of us on these Benches and all who knew him. Alliance has lost not just a leader but a part of our history. On behalf of Alliance, I extend my deepest and sincerest condolences to Seán's wife, Carol, and the wider Neeson family. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten, and his legacy will continue to inspire us.”
“Such was Seán's love of and affinity for his home place that those who knew him often recount that, at the end of the night at an Alliance conference, you would often find Seán giving a spirited rendition of 'Carrickfergus'. <BR /> <BR />I am so pleased that, last year, Seán was well enough to join us at conference again, showing the same wisdom, warmth and good humour for which he was so well known. Even in his final years when he was unwell with cancer, he never lost that sharp wit. He phoned Naomi around the anniversary of VE Day, laughing and joking that he was born exactly nine months after VE Day, so we all knew how his parents had celebrated.”
“He was always courageous, always brave and always fighting for progress and stability for everyone in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Seán was not just a leader for Alliance; he was a leader in the community. He was, quite simply, Mr Carrickfergus. Serving as a councillor for the town for a record-breaking 36 years between 1977 and 2013, he dedicated himself to the people of Carrick and established himself as the go-to elected representative to get things done. In 1992, Seán finally got the job that he was born for: serving the town that he loved so dearly as mayor and earning the respect and admiration of all who knew him.”
“After a sudden change in leader and in response to a brutal set of elections, Seán established a review by the party president — a review that set out the road map that enabled the party to stabilise and that laid the foundations that allowed us to build to where we are today. For that, we will be forever grateful. Seán also knew how to spot talent. As part of his efforts to rebuild the party, he appointed Naomi Long, a young upstart, to her first formal position in the Alliance Party as part of that review team. The rest, as they say, is history. <BR /> <BR />Seán's deep commitment to public service saw him serve in the Prior Assembly in the 1980s before it collapsed, and, later, in the 1990s, he served on the Police Authority in advance of the Patten reforms — often at great personal risk.”
“Entering politics at a dark time when sectarianism loomed large, Seán always took courageous stands against division and embodied what it meant to build a truly united community, because, for Seán, fairness, reconciliation and a shared future were not just political slogans; they were in his bones and were deeply held convictions that shaped his actions and inspired those of us who followed in his footsteps. <BR /> <BR />His leadership came at a crucial time for Alliance. Having served as Chief Whip in the Assembly, Seán, with unanimous support from his colleagues, stepped up to become leader when John Alderdice took the role of Speaker. He offered steadfast leadership through some of our party's most difficult days.”
“On behalf of my party leader, Naomi Long, who is sad that she cannot be here today due to illness, I rise to remember and celebrate the life of Seán Neeson: a statesman, a selfless leader and someone who had boundless hope and optimism for the future of Northern Ireland.”
“I urge all Members to take their responsibilities to our environment seriously and reject the motion and, instead, engage in good faith in the consultation process so that we can get to a place where we have a NAP that will serve our environment and our farmers fairly while dealing with the issues in Lough Neagh.”
“MLAs who walk through the Yes Lobby today are wilfully and knowingly signing the death warrant for Lough Neagh”
“Earlier this year, the same parties blocked a proposal that would have seen increased fines and penalties for those breaching environmental regulations. What message does that send to the farmers who abide by the regulations and by the law? What message does it send to our constituents who are drinking foul-smelling and foul-tasting water in summer months or the businesses that cannot operate and make a living when there is algae on Lough Neagh? <BR /> <BR />The public are watching the debate. They know that the situation in Lough Neagh will not be addressed through mere warm words and photo opportunities. It will require strong leadership and, yes, difficult decisions. Instead, we hear from parties in the Chamber the same old inertia and neglect that contributed to the situation and the crisis in the first place.”
“<BR /> <BR />We have heard about financial support, and it is true that financial support and grant support will be necessary in order to make some of the changes practical at farm level. The DUP and Sinn Féin hold the purse strings of the Executive, so I will take today's debate as a firm commitment from those parties that they will make that funding and grant aid available to the farmers who need the support. <BR /> <BR />The parties that are supporting the motion do not have a good story to tell on Lough Neagh and our environment. Through Going for Growth, industrial sand dredging and so many other missteps, they have walked our community, our farming industry and our society into an environmental catastrophe.”
“Perhaps the truth is that the DUP and Sinn Féin are uncomfortable with a Minister who no longer allows government policy to be written by only one select group of stakeholders but, rather, chooses to consult openly, honestly and fairly with all farmers, all organisations and all citizens about the way forward. <BR /> <BR />It has been said that the NAP proposals ignore waste water infrastructure, but the Minister has been clear on his intent to remove the statement of regulatory principles and intent (SORPI) arrangements, which is the so-called bye-ball that has been granted to NI Water. Alliance has consistently called on the Infrastructure Minister to take more robust action where she has responsibility.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. If previous NAP proposals and strategies were so effective, Lough Neagh would not turn green every summer. Perhaps that is a reflection of the reason why the Minister has taken a different approach on this occasion. <BR /> <BR />Mr Buchanan talked about the failure to tackle TB, the failure to deal with ammonia and the crisis that our farmers now face with Lough Neagh. Those are all issues that this Minister inherited from Ministers from Mr Buchanan's party who failed to be honest about the trade-offs and choices that exist.”
“for our drinking water, our industry, our agriculture sector and our fishermen, who have already had to deal with the suspension of eel fishing this year. <BR /> <BR />I have heard criticism in the debate about the level of engagement. Aoife Finnegan talked about a lack of consultation. The irony is there for all to see that what parties are calling for today is the suspension of consultation, an opportunity for organisations, farmers and citizens to engage on the issues. They want that to be prematurely shut down so that farmers cannot contribute to the debate about how the proposals could be made workable at farm level.”
“The nutrients action programme is a core part of the Lough Neagh action plan, to which all parties on the Executive and, I think, in the Chamber signed up. The Office for Environmental Protection has been crystal clear:”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. When Andrew Muir took up office as Minister last year, he made clear his unwavering commitment to improving water quality and turning the tide on the ecological crisis unfolding in Lough Neagh. Indeed, just weeks after the Executive were formed, the First Minister and the deputy First Minister stood by his side on the shores of Lough Neagh, talking about it as a collective priority and about the need for immediate action. The motion exposes those sentiments from the First Minister and the deputy First Minister as mere weasel words, because it is fallacy for any Member to claim that we can improve water quality and tackle blue-green algae in Lough Neagh without a robust plan to deal with nutrient run-off.”
“Thank you, Minister. Given that it has been reported, in recent weeks, that rents have risen faster in Belfast than in London over the past year, do you accept that none of those measures that you announced is sufficient to deal with the crisis? Will you consider a system of affordable rent controls?”
“<BR /> <BR />With the Assembly having been back in place for just over a year, progress towards having more sustainable public finances has been made. Alliance will continue to work with the Finance Minister and with other parties to secure the investment in our public services and communities that we so desperately need and that they so desperately deserve. The Second Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill is another important milestone on that journey, so Alliance supports its progress.”
“It is also vital, however, that we hear more from the Minister about his priorities for a new and permanent fiscal framework, including on issues such as fiscal devolution, so that we can make our system fairer and more progressive and support economic growth. <BR /> <BR />Ultimately, as is always the case, the fundamental question before us is not whether we believe that each individual spending decision of every Minister is wise. Nor is it whether we believe that the Budget is adequate or sufficient to meet the scale of departmental pressures that we face. First and foremost, the question is whether we believe that the allocations are fair in the circumstances. More fundamentally, however, it is about ensuring that Departments have legislative cover to continue to deliver public services without interruption.”
“<BR /> <BR />Alliance has consistently argued that the 124% needs-based factor that was provided for in the restoration package does not adequately account for Northern Ireland's relative need, not least because of the particular considerations for policing and justice but also because of issues such as the rurality of our population and the significant role that agriculture plays in driving our economy. It is welcome that the Department commissioned a study by Professor Holtham, which will build on the progress that was made by the interim fiscal framework. We all, I think, eagerly await the outcome of that work and that negotiation, which the Department of Finance and the Treasury are undertaking.”
“<BR /> <BR />Unlike last year, however, a 12-week public consultation was undertaken on the underlying Budget policy, which enabled the public to make their views known. The Minister's commitment that the Budget will be the final single-year Budget of this mandate is, of course, welcome. I hope that we will be in a position this time next year to debate a strategic multi-year Budget, with the benefit of multi-year clarity, which will hopefully be forthcoming in this week's spending review announcement.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is refreshing that, this year, we have returned to a normal budgetary cycle for the first time in many years. It has to be said, however, that it is depressing that that seems to be a novel feat for the Assembly. This is the eleventh single-year Budget cycle in a row, largely as a result of the cycle of crisis and collapse that I mentioned earlier that has deprived our public services and the community and voluntary sector of key opportunities to plan for the medium term and the longer term and to make crucial reforms. As I say every time that we debate a Budget Bill, we cannot have financial sustainability without political stability underpinning it. Reform of our institutions therefore remains crucial.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am sure that every Member in the Chamber will agree, as will the Minister, that we want to see stabilisation of the PSNI and an uplift in PSNI officer numbers. To achieve that, it is vital that we see progress made on the PSNI's business case, which is under consideration. It is also true to say that every Member wants to see additional investment in and progress made on social housing, but it is not all about money. Where I do agree with the leader of the Opposition is where he said that we must go further with public service reform to ensure that the money that we invest goes further. We often hear Ministers decry the lack of available funding, but those same Ministers are often less forthcoming when it comes to honest reflections on the need to do things differently. NI Water is a classic example of that.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am proud of the role that my party has played in the Executive, in working with other parties to secure that progress and in negotiations prior to the Executive's formation to make the case for dedicated funding for transformation of public services, which made much of that investment possible. In Alliance, we are keen to see the remaining £102·5 million of public-sector transformation money made available as soon as possible to support that vital work. Undoubtedly, there are areas in which we must go further, but I want to be fair and say that I recognise that it is the opening position and that we are likely to see some funding flowing through monitoring rounds as the year progresses, albeit not to the level that we experienced last year.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is important to reflect on the progress, despite the challenging circumstances, that has been made in this year's Budget, be that the £215 million that is ring-fenced to cut health waiting lists and invest in elective care; the doubling of investment in childcare to £55 million, with a 15% childcare subsidy scheme rolling out to eligible families with primary-school-aged children from September; or, being made available through the public-sector transformation board, the £61 million to improve access to GP services, £27·5 million to enhance support for children with special educational needs and £21 million to speed up our justice system.”
“<BR /> <BR />As we await this week's spending review, I say gently to the Chancellor that it is not too late to change course to finally pursue progressive taxation, invest in our public services and deliver the change that was promised at the general election last year. Whilst those of us who are in the Chamber cannot possibly mitigate every cut that is made at Westminster, such cuts underline the importance of our having a local Executive in place to take difficult decisions and prioritise spending in line with Programme for Government priorities and in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is important to note, when we discuss the context of our financial position, that the UK Government have, in many ways, added to the challenges that we face as an Executive, not least through the increase in employer's National Insurance contributions, which has short-changed our public services by about £60 million. Tory austerity has, in many respects, been replaced by Labour austerity, with cuts in support dealt to the elderly through changes to the winter fuel payment — it is positive that there appears to be progress on that this week — to the sick and disabled through welfare reform and to farmers through inheritance tax changes.”
“I will discuss some of the context of the Bill, which comes after an unprecedented number of years of financial challenge, be that the cycle of crisis and collapse at the Assembly, a global pandemic, Westminster austerity or the decision to leave the EU, which deprived us of vital funds locally. We know that working families in our constituencies also face that enormous financial pressure. <BR /> <BR />Our job in the Chamber is to come together to offer hope and transform our public services, economy and communities. The additional funding provided through the UK autumn statement — hopefully, there will be further funding through the comprehensive spending review — is significant, but it falls far short of the pressures that Departments face.”
“As I open my remarks, I will say that it is notable that, although the Opposition talk a good game about paying close attention and holding Ministers to account, not one member of the Opposition, official or unofficial, is in the Chamber to scrutinise crucial Budget legislation. Perhaps the Opposition will reflect on how effective they are in their role in the Chamber. It is all well and good to make grand speeches for the camera, but, when the real work needs to be done, the Opposition are nowhere to be seen. <BR /> <BR />I support the Bill at Second Stage, and I also support its proceeding by accelerated passage in order to ensure that Departments have the statutory authority that they need to draw down cash and avoid the risk of their reaching the spending limits previously set down by the Assembly.”