Nuala McAllister
North Belfast · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“I have submitted quite a number of questions for written answer on autism services, and the answers, sometimes on the same day from the Department, contradict themselves. The Minister often refers to the emotional health and well-being framework as the idea that will frame all of the uniform services.”
“Absolutely. Everyone is taking my speech; I was going to say that. Of course, it is complex and subjective to the individual person. If we are truly talking about keeping an individual safe and other prisoners safe, we would not do what the amendment proposes; we would carry on in the way that the system already operates, using a risk-bas…”
“I thank the Member for his question. The Assembly Commission is progressing a programme of remedial works to address defects identified in the roof of Parliament Buildings and to protect the long-term integrity of this grade A listed building. The works have been structured in two phases.”
“More often than not, we have conversations in the Chamber or in public about trans women, but that would place a trans man who has been convicted of a violent crime against a woman in a prison with women. It does not make sense, and it is not coming from the perspective of safety; it is coming from ideology.”
“In providing catering services throughout Parliament Buildings, the Assembly Commission strives to meet the differing demands of the special dietary needs of our wide customer base.”
“I support amendment No 96 and oppose amendment No 97. I do not plan to speak to amendment No 96, as there were a number of interventions last night, and I will leave many of the remarks to my party colleague the Minister of Justice. <BR /> <BR />We oppose Timothy Gaston's amendment.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,216 lines we hold for Nuala McAllister, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 10 of 25.
“It was a bold move by the founders and parents back then to introduce integrated education to their local community. It feels as though the integrated sector should be further along than it is, 40 years later. That is the case not because of a lack of vision or lack of bravery from the many who took the step to introduce it in the early 1980s but because of a lack of support and vision from those in leadership. That is evidenced by the decision to turn down proposals for two integrated schools — Rathmore Primary School and Bangor Academy — despite 82% and 76% of parents, respectively, supporting the move. Integrated education plays a unique and significant role —”
“Asking for children from all backgrounds to be educated together was a bold move at the height of the Troubles. The founders chose the symbol of the dove to represent the peace and reconciliation that they hoped to be part of. That symbol is still part of the badge of Hazelwood Integrated Primary and Nursery School, and, on Friday, doves were released to mark the 40th anniversary of the school. Many in the community joined in that joyous occasion.”
“I take this opportunity to pay tribute to and congratulate Hazelwood Integrated Primary and Nursery School on its 40th anniversary. Hazelwood and Forge Integrated Primary School were two of the very first integrated primary schools in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Last Friday, I joined my colleague Councillor Sam Nelson in attending a fantastic celebration that was organised by the school to mark the occasion. It was also attended by some of the founding teachers and parents of children who attended back in 1985. Those parents and teachers demanded better for their children during what were some of the darkest days in the history of North Belfast and Northern Ireland. Local parents joined them and took inspiration from the bravery of those in South Belfast who had established Lagan College just four years previously.”
“I have often thought of the women who have waited, in their makeshift tents or lying on carpets on the road, for word from their families about whether they will return from trying to get a even morsel of food. <BR /> <BR />Mostly, over the past two years, I have thought of the children. More than 20,000 children's lives have been lost — deaths caused by guns, bombs and man-made famine. I think of the many children who have expressed a desire to go to heaven so that they can be fed. I think of those children and hope that they have lasting relief from war. Peace in the Middle East is often seen as unachievable — a dream — but we cannot just hope. For the future of humanity, decency and morality, it must be a long and lasting peace.”
“Like so many in the Chamber, I welcome the ceasefire in Israel and Gaza, and I hope for a long and lasting peace. Over the past week and, indeed, the past two years, my thoughts have been with many people. I still think of the people who were attacked by Hamas on 7 October 2023 — over 1,200 people were murdered and over 250 were captured — and the families who have suffered the pain and loss of loved ones. My thoughts are with the people of the West Bank, who have suffered racial oppression, discrimination and land seizure, which has multiplied since October 2023. <BR /> <BR />My thoughts have been with the aid workers, the journalists, the Palestine Red Crescent Society, which many of us know as the British Red Cross, and the health workers from around the world who flew to the war zone to help, literally running into the line of fire.”
“We need to remember why we are talking about this: because mothers and their babies deserve the best care and resources and to be treated together and not miss out on those first crucial days, weeks and, for some, months.”
“Some of that is due to what was exposed — "highlighted", I should say — in the 'Spotlight' documentary, in particular about Exeter. We want a bit more elaboration on what exactly the clinical advice is. It is important that we listen to it. From our understanding and research, it appears that the clinical advice is perhaps not coming from the Royal College of Psychiatrists. If we are wrong, I am happy to be corrected. It is important that we get it right. There is a question around community treatment. Is that clinically the safest option, compared with interim measures? Those questions should be asked. Why are we asking those questions?”
“<BR /> <BR />Many Members have mentioned a number of organisations today. I pay particular thanks to Action on Postpartum Psychosis, which has been in touch with Members over the past few weeks to ensure that we are aware of all the information behind the scenes about the women who feel that they cannot reach out individually to elected representatives — maybe it is too fresh, raw and new for them — but want to do something. That organisation has been leading on the cause for many years. In 2008, there was a visit to England to look at mother-and-baby units there, and we are no further on. <BR /> <BR />My party does not feel that we can support the UUP amendment, because we are concerned about the issue that there cannot be an interim arrangement.”
“I understand that there may be issues relating to Encompass, but we need to move past using that as a reason to not give the data, because data informs policy. We know that the trusts receive around 250 referrals for community service. At this time, I pay tribute, as many Members have done, to the perinatal mental health team, who do fabulous work and look after women. Even the team has approached us to say that it does not always work and that specialised inpatient care is needed. In September, we tabled a question asking on an update on the business case. I was glad that the Department wrote back and said that there was confirmation of a six-bed facility with the business case due for completion by 22 September. Hopefully, the Minister has a further update on that.”
“<BR /> <BR />I pay particular tribute to Shelley Browne, who was on the 'Spotlight' programme. I have read a lot about her circumstances. It is such a sad and emotive issue that it is hard, at times, to listen and to take it all in, because we are so affected by it. We have to listen to women and mothers, however, because they have been going through this for years. <BR /> <BR />The 'Spotlight' documentary stated that around 100 women a year in Northern Ireland are admitted to adult psychiatric wards without their babies for similar care. We cannot get hold of the exact figures from the Department. We have submitted questions for written answer but have not had answers for some of the trusts.”
“I thank the proposer for tabling the motion. She has spoken at length about the issue in Committee and asked questions on it, and there are Members from all our parties who have done the same. I thank my colleague Sian for taking it on for us, because it is important that it is addressed as a cross-party issue. <BR /> <BR />I speak as a mum who was separated from her baby when they were just six days old, not for mental health reasons but for physical health reasons. Difficult as that was for me, I cannot imagine how difficult it is for any mother who does not have an end in sight. Those of us with physical issues have an end in sight and know when we will see our babies again. It was not acceptable in my case, and it is not acceptable in any other mother's case.”
“Does the Minister welcome the comments made by the Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constable last week at the Policing Board, when they welcomed the options on out-of-court disposals, including those for lower-level offences and, furthermore, highlighted that they were a key contributing factor in developing the proposals?”
“It is not really constructive. Does the Member accept that we often just say things like "my Minister"? It is all our Minister. The Minister is my party leader, but it is a rather petty issue to get at. I remember you doing the same on social media many times.”
“I welcome the change in tone from the proposing party and other parties that have criticised and said that their Departments need all the funding. I look forward to when they put pressure on the Finance Minister and the whole Executive to allocate adequate resources to the Department of Justice.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I will just highlight that the Katie Simpson case is finished, and, unfortunately, the perpetrator evaded justice. I accept the Deputy Speaker's point. <BR /> <BR />There is no denying that the pace needs to speed up. That was why, when it comes to MARAC, it was my Minister who forced others to get on board to change the system. Other Departments, particularly under the UUP, have failed to protect victims in that regard. There is no denying that the pace needs to change. However, there is also no denying that Alliance does not just talk about action and let strategies gather dust on the shelves. The Justice Minister takes action and protects victims. She has put her money and priorities where her mouth is.”
“I will say that the Katie Simpson investigation is not finished, and we need to see the outworkings of the Creswell review and everything that comes out of the Policing Board and PONI.”
“I thank the Minister for calling for a review of the Jonathan Creswell case, because, when other parties were calling for apologies and criticising other Members for scrutinising and holding to account the very people and institutions that failed to protect a young girl, my Minister stood up and said, "Something went wrong, and it has to be sorted". <BR /> <BR />I also want to mention the multi-agency risk assessment conference (MARAC), which nobody else in the Chamber has mentioned.”
“Just last week, at the Policing Board, the PSNI highlighted positive figures from being able to use those new powers. In almost 200 instances — not 200 victims, but instances, although some, not many, would have involved the same victims — officers were able to protect victims because of the powers handed to them; all those powers at a time when we see instances of domestic abuse increasing. <BR /> <BR />We know and the PSNI has said that we are one of the safest places in Europe. However, we do not take our eye off the ball, and we do not forget about victims.”
“It is also important to highlight the fact that, during the years in which the DOJ budget started to flatline and then decline, a DUP Finance Minister was in a position to allocate those resources. Despite that, the Minister and the Department have shown willingness to make progress, and I will touch on some of that progress, particularly for victims and survivors. <BR /> <BR />Some Members mentioned the progress on digital strategy and youth justice, but I will highlight victims' issues. The Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2001, the Protection from Stalking Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and the Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 are just three pieces of legislation that are the outworkings of this mandate.”
“The Member will be aware that the Minister was a caretaker Minister for some time. Those figures are not correct, but I will move on to highlight some of the positive things that were done in those years. <BR /> <BR />If parties are to be serious about supporting the Department in its work to progress the recommendations of not only the CJINI report but any report or strategy related to the Department of Justice that the Minister has accepted, resources and commitment from all Executive parties to the funding that is required to carry out the work must follow. Just 0·5% of the Department's budget is discretionary: that is the money that is left over after everything for which funds are tied up is dealt with. <BR /> <BR />I will, however, highlight the positives that the Minister has achieved with just that 0·5%.”
“The report highlights and criticises that fact. We are well aware that responsibility for that falls not just at the DUP's door but at Sinn Féin's.”
“There is an urgent need to transform public services across the board in Northern Ireland. I am all too well aware of that from my role as a member of the Health Committee. The criminal justice system is not exempt from that need, and the CJINI 'Transforming the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland' report was welcomed by Alliance when it was published last year. We recognised the need for timelier progress to be made in the areas that were highlighted in the report. <BR /> <BR />We are concerned that the proposers of the motion have missed some of the important content of the report. There is some irony there. Members might not like its being referenced on page 18 of the report, but the fact is that, since the devolution of policing and justice in 2010, this place has spent one third of its time in collapse.”
“Does the Member agree that there is a direct contradiction when it comes to Lakewood and Woodlands? Young people in Woodlands are treated exceptionally well and given all the resources that they need, but the young people in Lakewood, who are there for their own safety and mental health, do not get the vital resources and help despite the dedicated staff there. It has been said in the public forum that young people are better off in the criminal justice system than in our health system. That should not be the case, but it should be applauded.”
“Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Apologies for that. As a member of the Policing Board, I will raise the issue at the board, and it is important to do so, particularly when the Chief Constable of the PSNI has raised issues of stretched capacity in the service. I understand that the Met will reimburse the PSNI, but still, it stretches officers' time. Does the Minister agree that the Policing Board is the best place for all political Members to raise those issues?”
“Minister, this is a very difficult and sensitive subject. I do not know whether you are aware that some of our hospitals do not even have a dedicated space for doctors and nurses to tell families that their little one has died or the way in which they passed away, or for families to be with their young in very limited circumstances. It may be a small number, but it is very important. <BR /> <BR />Minister, will you commit to looking at that issue and the capacity in our health estate in order to ensure that parents have the space to grieve and that doctors and nurses feel empowered to give them the information and support that they need?”
“It is never the answer, and it is never an excuse for anyone. <BR /> <BR />My constituency, North Belfast, has the only remaining synagogue in Northern Ireland. The community is small, but it is mourning massively. Our thoughts are with those people today, as they also fear for their safety and future amid the toxic debate and culture when freedom of religion is attacked. I express again our solidarity not just with the Jewish people of Manchester but with all Jewish people who feel frightened in our society today. This could have been much worse. There could have been many more deaths. I pay tribute to all the emergency services that responded and thank them. It further highlights the importance of democracy and standing up for our shared values and beliefs. Hopefully we will not have this situation again.”
“Let us be clear from the very start: we all should and must condemn the attack that took place last week on the synagogue in Manchester. I put my thoughts with the families of the victims who were killed: Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz. First and foremost, our thoughts must be with those families. However, I also want to express my sympathies to the serving officers on the ground on that day. I do not doubt that it was a difficult and intense situation that will leave lasting trauma. The attack on the Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur is just horrific. It is about targeting not just one religion but all religions. It is an assault on the freedom of religion and all our shared values. It is not just the climate around this conversation that needs to be addressed but rather the issue of violence.”
“It should be a mix of private, public and retail businesses. It should have more pubs and restaurants. It should be a hub to bring people together. All parties, led by the Government and Belfast City Council, should be working towards achieving that. My party is prepared to work with every party in the Assembly, with every party on Belfast City Council and with any Minister who is involved to get what we need, which is the thriving redevelopment of the Tribeca area in North Belfast. <BR /> <BR />I again thank the Member who secured the debate. I am grateful to have been able to contribute, and I look forward to hearing what the Minister has to say.”
“When the university was relocating, we had a massive opportunity for Castlebrooke to play ball and get on board with the community and change the area for the better, but that opportunity was missed. We should get back on track. Hopefully, the Minister, who will respond to the debate, can think about working with Andrew Muir, the AERA Minister, on the Dilapidation Bill. We should use whatever powers will come from that to force developers, in particular, and property owners to look after sites so that they do not fall into further disrepair. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the council's move to take over the Assembly Rooms. I welcome the pedestrianisation of Hill Street, but, as Carál said, that took too long, and we cannot wait any longer. What can that part of North Belfast look like? It can be lively and bustling.”
“We cannot allow developers to come in and buy up land but not do anything with it or perhaps get planning permission and sell it on in a constant "rinse and repeat" cycle. <BR /> <BR />The area is steeped in history. It has one of the oldest churches in Belfast. It has a small congregation, but it has a lot of history — the United Irishmen, the Belfast Harpers' Assembly. There is lot to be proud of that we can sell not only to Belfast but to wider Northern Ireland and tourism. If it had not been for a handful of local businesses that remained, saying, "No, I'm not shutting up shop and moving on" and "I'm staying here", the area would be in a much worse state.”
“There was supposed to have been a £500 million investment in the area, but, so far, what has it achieved? Tumbleweed, dilapidation and disrepair. It is an absolute disgrace that it has been allowed to remain like that for so long. <BR /> <BR />It is really important to note that, whenever any of us have a meeting or any correspondence with Castlebrooke, I question where it is moving to in future and what the area will look like. We have to be honest about that, because we do not really have the full picture. I know that there are planning proposals on the table at the moment and there are a lot of changes, but forgive me for remaining sceptical as to what it will look like. We need to learn from those lessons.”
“Thank you, Phil, for securing the debate. There is nothing that we disagree on. It is really important to note the cross-party working, particularly on Belfast City Council. Since I moved on to the Assembly, our party group leader, despite being an East Belfast elected rep, has been very invested in the Assembly Rooms in particular. Cross-party working is important in moving forward. <BR /> <BR />Much of what you said, Phil, at the start of your speech I had in mine: the MAC, Crumlin Road Gaol, Duncairn arts centre and Ulster University. North Belfast is thriving, and there is redevelopment going on. When you go into the city centre and then beyond the Cathedral Quarter into North Street and the Tribeca site, it is absolutely depressing. I get a wee bit scundered too when I call it by that name, but that is what everyone knows it as.”
“Minister, data collection is important to informing policy, particularly on women's health. Knowing how many miscarriages take place in our society is a way of understanding and helping the women affected. Will the Minister's proposals for recording miscarriage include data collection by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)?”
“I thank the Member for taking a quick intervention. Does he agree that sharing such information is vital and that recent police initiatives to alert people when they get access to drug dealers' communications have been positive? Does he also agree that the police should be commended for taking a different approach because it is not always just a criminal justice matter and that it has to be done in conjunction with health?”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. At this point, it might be helpful to say that the figures that I stated were incorrect. The numbers of procedures are slightly different. It is important that I highlight that. <BR /> <BR />I am aware that the robot is for urology. The gynaecology medical professionals also advocated a device, but it was the urology department that succeeded. We were informed that that was because those clinicians were professionally trained to use it, but our investigation found that that was not the case and the gynae department staff were also professionally trained to do so.”
“As we highlight the issue in the Chamber today, however, the reality is that women and girls in our society are struggling to use their voice to fight for their health. Hopefully, after today, we will see urgent action taken that will result in a women's health action plan and then see its actions implemented. I am thankful that the voice of every woman who has been mentioned so far today has now been heard in the Chamber. It is important that we all work together so that all those women can receive a diagnosis and access the treatment that they need.”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank Queen's University and the Derry Well Woman Centre for the survey that they are undertaking on a women's health action plan. It was the Department of Health that commissioned it. Women, however, have been surveyed for decades. They have spoken up and shouted, and the community and voluntary sector has carried out surveys that reveal what we all have said for years: we do not need or want platitudes; seven-year waits are not good enough; living in crippling pain is not good enough; and being dismissed is not good enough. Women have had enough. The process is being dragged out for far too long. <BR /> <BR />We understand that, although the action plan is important, it alone will not deliver. Every organisation and every trust must work together.”
“Unfortunately, as we have seen with breast cancer and gynae waiting lists, treatment really can be a postcode lottery. <BR /> <BR />We tabled the amendment not to detract or take away from the motion but simply to add to it. The first motion that the Alliance Party chose for debate when the Assembly returned was on a women's health action plan. At the time, we said that it was important to have a strategy and to have statistics but that it was also important to have an achievable outcome. Robin Swann, the Minister of Health at the time, said that he would bring forward the women's health action plan that was being developed. That was on 13 February last year. A year and a half on, and, despite hope being given at the time, we have still not seen an action plan.”
“I was going to mention some as well, but I start by thanking my party leader, Naomi Long, for speaking out and sharing her experience of endometriosis, because, like too many women, she had to wait almost two decades before receiving a diagnosis, and it was received only after she had collapsed in severe pain. Sometimes, it is important for people to speak out, but some women feel that it is a private issue. I say to them that they should not be ashamed or hide behind their door. Speak out and advocate. We will continue to do so for you. <BR /> <BR />I am glad that we will get a ministerial response to the debate. I want to see how we can move forward right across Northern Ireland. As I mentioned, this is not just about Belfast or my constituency but about every single woman in every trust area in Northern Ireland.”
“They are faced with endless tests, they are faced with waiting lists and they are often faced with medical gaslighting: professionals telling them that there is nothing wrong and that the severe pain that they are experiencing is normal and is just what it is like to be a woman. That is why it is so important that medical professionals receive the proper training and education, and that is why, Minister, we want that specialist training and service to exist right across Northern Ireland today so that women do not have to wait for years to get medical help. <BR /> <BR />I thank the proposer of the motion for highlighting the experience of a number of her constituents.”
“For those who have had a diagnosis, imagine waking up in pain and also bleeding every single day but still having to look after your children, still having to go to work and still trying to have a social life, have friends and be happy, masking the fact that there are other issues going on. That is the case for many women here in Northern Ireland. Too many women are forced to go to GPs, to A&E and to gynaecologists to try to understand and figure out exactly what is wrong, and they cannot get an official diagnosis. We know that many today, who are making their first appointment with a GP, will wait upwards of nine years.”
“<BR /> <BR />Moving on to the debate on the motion itself, I will highlight a number of points that Mrs Dillon made. I will not reiterate them, but I want to pick up on some of the words that she used: "dismissed", "ignored" and "belittled". We have all heard those more than once today. We have all heard those words in our constituency offices, we have heard them in Committees and we have heard them on the doorsteps. Too many women are suffering from this every single day. Imagine, every single day, waking up in extreme pain, not knowing what it is about.”
“I am not saying that they should not be treated, but the statistics on the vulnerabilities and inequalities around women's health are overwhelming. In the past two years, over 600 men have been treated using that robotics device but under 50 women, despite medical professionals in the Belfast Trust telling us that they have banged down the door every year asking that they have more access to it. It is not about specialist training or about the availability of consultants. It exists, and it could treat endometriosis. We know that it can assist in hysterectomies, and we know that it can treat gynaecological cancers. I hope today, Minister, that you are able to actually answer the questions that I have brought to you on this issue.”
“First and foremost, I want to say that around one in 10 women here suffers from endometriosis, but we know that those statistics are quite low compared with the true number. We know that there are many women who are yet to be diagnosed and treated for endometriosis and that specialists in endometriosis care simply do not exist. Minister, I have been working for the past few months with a number of medical professionals in the Belfast Trust, and I have brought this debate to you on many occasions, both in the Health Committee and in the Assembly Chamber. The issue of the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis goes much beyond one trust, but we know that, in one trust, there is what amounts to what I can describe as medical misogyny. There is currently a robotics device that sits in the Belfast Trust that is used primarily to treat men.”
“Thank you, Principal Deputy Speaker, and thanks to my colleagues for tabling the motion. We are absolutely going to support it, and I think that it is a very worthwhile topic for focus in the Assembly Chamber. Apologies. Can I have a moment, please, Principal Deputy Speaker?”
“I understand as well that the Republic is running its service at capacity and has stated that it could not cope with additional patients. However, given that it is much easier to transfer between Dublin and Belfast than it is to get on a plane and be separated from your family, that issue is worth exploring. We need creative solutions to bring about a change here to everyone's lives and to the families affected. <BR /> <BR />I end in the way in which I began: paying tribute to Fergal for continuing the work of Catherine. He has shown incredible strength and bravery in helping to save the lives of others at such a devastating time for him and his family. Thank you to the Sherry family.”
“I cannot pretend that I knew everything about it before the debate today, but my colleague Sorcha Eastwood MP — many people are aware of her personal circumstances — has been lobbying the Health Minister, using her husband's experience in Northern Ireland and the haematology ward in Belfast City Hospital in particular, to shine a light on the lack of services there, not because of the dedicated work of our health professionals. I wonder whether the Minister can provide any additional clarity around the timeline that Mrs Dodds referred to, as well as the business case for the project. We understand that it is not as simple as funding and that it requires workforce and facilities, but I am sure that, by putting our heads together and making it happen, it can be done.”
“<BR /> <BR />I understand that CAR T-cell treatment is a specific type of immunotherapy for blood cancer.”
“I thank the Opposition for tabling the motion. It is a particularly emotional topic, and I begin by paying tribute to Catherine Sherry and her dear family. As a mum, I can only imagine what Catherine went through in her final few months when she was separated from her young family. It is distressing for anyone, no matter how sick or well they are, to be away from home, knowing that it will have an impact on family life. <BR /> <BR />When Catherine was diagnosed in September of last year, many MLAs and MPs were already asking questions about speeding up cancer treatment across the island and east-west. Unfortunately, not much has changed since then, but I hope that, by working together to ensure that we bring the voices to the Chamber and to the public, perhaps, we can have a change in Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. In my constituency of North Belfast, many organisations do a lot of work with young people. One that focuses particularly on young girls, WOMEN'STEC, does fantastic work. Is the Department exploring typically male-dominated roles in order to encourage more young women, in particular, to get involved in them?”