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.”
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“<BR /> <BR />I commend housing associations for their work over the past decade in building new housing, particularly in the Limestone Road area. The houses built there by Newington Housing Association were of fantastic quality, and the residents were exceptionally happy with them. Equally, it is important to note that the Housing Executive is again building houses in North Belfast, along the Ballysillan Road. It is great to see houses being built there again; it is just unfortunate that the number is in single digits. I do not doubt that, when it comes to allocating those houses, it will be chaotic for the Housing Executive, because there are so few houses and so many people who deserve to have a house in that area. <BR /> <BR />I want to touch on the reform of the allocation points.”
“I place on the record that it is better to have that managed accommodation, but we also need to have balance. That also brings in the issue about land that was previously earmarked for housing, which the first Member to speak mentioned. Where we differ in opinion is on the issue of shared housing. By "shared housing", I do not just mean housing for those from different backgrounds; I mean shared housing in its totality — private, public, commercial etc. We cannot simply continue to build housing in areas where land is cheapest and where there is nothing else around for the people who are eventually put into those houses. We need to build houses in areas that can become communities so that people can take pride in their areas.”
“I thank Carál Ní Chuilín for securing this Adjournment debate, and I welcome the Minister to the debate. It is my first Adjournment debate since being elected as an MLA, so I am really glad that it is on housing in North Belfast. I hope that the Minister will forgive me if I sometimes stray into issues that might be thought to be unrelated to housing but that I think exacerbate the issue in North Belfast. I will touch on some of the points that have already been made rather than repeating everything. <BR /> <BR />We have seen managed student accommodation in North Belfast, particularly with the migration of Ulster University to the city centre and the north Belfast area. It is important to note, however, that residents there have been more content than those in other areas of Belfast in which there is managed student accommodation.”
“Parental choice is not there for the parents who wish to send their children to integrated schools, because there are not any available for them. Does the Member agree that the schools that he has spoken about, which are integrated in nature, have nothing to fear in undergoing the true transformation to becoming an integrated school?”
“<BR /> <BR />I am acutely aware of the pain that this may be dredging up for many people and families. I want to assure everyone that I will not let the issue rest. Ultimately, we need to call on the Catholic Church to leave the ground undisturbed and let those who lie there finally rest in peace.”
“I have met those who believe that they have relatives buried in the site, and they remain extremely concerned that a fully transparent analysis of the ground has not taken place to ensure that burial sites are protected from damage. I call on the Catholic Church and the Department for Communities to urgently halt any work to allow for transparent and independent analysis of the ground in question. <BR /> <BR />Since the story was reported, a number of people have been in touch with me with similar concerns that their relatives may be affected. Families impacted deserve to have confidence that the remains of their loved ones will not be disturbed. I also encourage anyone who has been affected by this or would like help to locate the remains of their loved ones on the site to get in touch.”
“I rise to call urgently for a halt to ongoing work at Milltown Cemetery that risks disturbing the burial ground of thousands of babies, including my stillborn brother. It has been known for decades that Bog Meadows, which is at the bottom of Milltown Cemetery, is the resting place of those who were not deemed worthy of a consecrated burial by the Catholic Church. There are an estimated 11,000 bodies on the site, including stillborn babies, people who suffered from mental illness, mothers who died during childbirth and those who could not afford a proper burial. <BR /> <BR />Amnesty International has stated that hundreds of babies and small infants from mother-and-baby homes and religious-run children's homes are buried in Bog Meadows.”
“Thank you for your supplementary question. Unfortunately, during the period in which the Assembly was not functioning normally, the Assembly Commission was reluctant to replace the existing printer fleet. The traditional approach of providing a standard printer for each constituency office is outdated. So, as part of the ongoing discussions in the new Assembly Commission, we will be looking at a wide range of requirements and at whether it may be better to allow Members to procure their own constituency office print capability. I understand that the delay until November 2024 may not satisfy the Member. However, if we do change things in the new Assembly Commission, that may enable Members to procure better and more suitable printers. In the meantime, if you do not need to, do not print.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The Assembly Commission has been engaging with parties and independent Members on the provision of constituency office printing capability. That engagement, which took place in October and November 2023, made it clear that a new print solution is overdue and that Members have additional requirements to support, such as scanning. <BR /> <BR />A survey of all Members was issued on 10 November 2023 to better understand their requirements and preferred approach to delivering printers in constituency offices. At the Assembly Commission's meeting later today, it will consider the provision of constituency office print capability, and, in the meantime, the support contract for the existing constituency office printers has been extended until November 2024.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary question. As I said in my previous response, we will meet for the first time as the new Assembly Commission and will give the matter initial consideration. The Member will recognise that significant work was undertaken in the previous mandate to review the items that are displayed in the Building, and, as a result, there is a carefully balanced collection of items and images, taking account of all political perspectives. It has been received well by visitors. We will discuss the matter later today, and I am sure that the Member will be given an update as soon as possible.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He first raised the issue in a question for written answer on 15 January 2024, and, as he will know, he then wrote to ask the Assembly Commission formally to consider the proposal. His correspondence is tabled for the Assembly Commission's meeting later today, at which it will be given initial consideration.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary question. I am aware that one of a number of issues to be given consideration is the accessibility of corridor doors on all the remaining corridors, including those on the top floor. I will give the issue high priority in my role as an Assembly Commission member. When the Commission meets later today, I will bring it up as a matter of urgency.”
“<BR /> <BR />The head of facilities management has commenced discussions with the Department of Finance property division on the commissioning of a disabled access survey to determine whether further improvements could be made to enhance accessibility in Parliament Buildings. Following the completion of that survey, Building Services will examine possible improvements and consult Members as necessary.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The Assembly Commission is very aware of the need to ensure that Parliament Buildings is accessible to people with disabilities, and a number of alterations and improvements have been carried out for that purpose in recent years. Physical alterations to Parliament Buildings have included the installation of external and internal access ramps, alterations to staircases and lifts, the installation of the Changing Places facility, the upgrading of hearing loop systems and the provision of automatically opening doors in the basement, ground floor and first floor corridors.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. While I recognise that business improvement districts fall under the remit of the Department for Communities, does he agree that working hand in hand with the Department in order for our local areas to thrive is very important and that working further with the Department for Communities on the establishment of additional business improvement districts would add to our local economies?”
“— agree that the SDLP will no longer bring motions to the House but, rather, will bring forward legislation?”
“I take the Member's points about being honest. That is very important. We, in Alliance, have always been honest and realistic with the public. We are also ambitious as to where we can move forward. However, does the Member agree that there is still an opportunity, and there needs to be opportunities, not just to bring forward motions on issues that will not be fully funded — just as the SDLP did last week on Opposition day and will continue to do — but to put forward what policies there should be, so that we can actually enforce those policies as we move forward and can put our right foot where it should be, improving where we go in terms of policy, before we have consultation through the Executive and before Ministers are actually able to put their marker down, and that it is important that the House also debates those issues?”
“I am sure that the Member is aware of this too, but does she agree that the policy decision in some local government areas to remove pitches for women's sport to facilitate the men's sport should absolutely be done away with? We know that that is happening in not only local government but private sporting areas.”
“The Minister will recognise that, alongside the Policing Board, the Department has a backlog of cases concerning independent medical referees. How will she address the backlog of independent medical referee appointments?”
“It does not sit lightly, given its impact on freedom of movement and its restrictions on everyday life, especially for a party that values the role that everyone plays in society. I look forward to hearing the Minister's winding-up speech.”
“I therefore ask the Minister to outline the difference that introducing enabling legislation would make, or the impact that it would have, if he did not have the order in place. If it did not exist, what difference would it make to dealing with any future pandemic that might arise? We have moved on from where we were in 2020, and, especially for us as a liberal party, decisions to impose any regulations on society cannot be taken lightly. The order's full impact must be considered, and we therefore want to see primary legislation introduced. I understand, however, the position in which the Minister has been put as a result of our not having an Assembly. I look forward to hearing his response to my questions. <BR /> <BR />I also reiterate, alongside Health Committee members, that this is an uncomfortable order.”
“There have been things that have benefited not only society but how the Executive can manage matters. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that we had two years of a suspension, and I respect the fact that any Bill that must be introduced is not ready to be introduced, but, like the other contributors, I hope that the Minister can understand the discomfort and unease over the situation in which we find ourselves, whereby we are essentially approving powers that enable a decision to be taken that would enter us into some sort of pandemic response again. <BR /> <BR />When officials came to the Committee, we asked direct questions about the effect of COVID and the variants that are currently in Northern Ireland. We were told that there are no variants that are causing immediate concern.”
“Sorry, I must remember that only one order has been moved. It relates to the effect from the order falling. What consequences will that have on lives in Northern Ireland and, importantly, on the Department of Health? <BR /> <BR />I focus on that issue because a lot of Departments rely on the regulations that were made in the past few years. Their content has become part and parcel of everyday life in Departments. We have just debated the use of live links in the Department of Justice, but there are also issues around hybrid meetings in the Department for Communities, and other issues can be added to that list. It is more about living in a post-pandemic era, in which there has been cost-effectiveness and positive effects from the regulations that were put in place.”
“Like Members who have spoken previously, I will talk about the uncomfortable position that we all found ourselves in when the pandemic first came around, back in 2020. We recognise that the decisions were taken on very difficult terms but that they were necessary to deal with the situation which we found ourselves in. All the parties in the Executive felt that we were in uncharted territories but that we had to manage it as best we could. Like the three previous contributors, I highlight the point that we now live in what is almost a post-pandemic era, so to speak. Although some Departments make everyday use of the Coronavirus Act, we are in a different situation with the order that the Minister moved. I have one question, an answer to which I seek from the Minister in his winding-up speech. It relates to whether these orders —.”
“<BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to Jon Boutcher and his team for how they have carried out their investigation thus far. It is an example of how to ensure that a process is carried out with the interests of victims at its heart. I hope that the final report will bring closure to some of the families, because what they want may differ. We hope that the UK Government and the republican leadership will consider the interim report's recommendations in full.”
“<BR /> <BR />The interim report underlines the folly of the UK Government's approach to legacy. Operation Kenova shows that legacy investigations can be conducted successfully, with new information and evidence uncovered and comfort and clarity given to families and surviving victims. Rather than ride roughshod over victims and their families, we need to return to the victim-centred approach laid out in the Stormont House Agreement. Although we know that there will be no prosecutions in this case, the interim report proves that it is possible to enable article 2-compliant investigations, which allow families the opportunity to pursue prosecutions where possible. To remove the possibility of getting truth and justice from families is beyond contempt.”
“Friday saw the publication of the interim report from Operation Kenova. First and foremost, I pay tribute to the bereaved families and surviving victims. It has been a long and difficult journey for them towards seeking the truth about what happened to their loved ones. I hope that this is another step towards that truth. <BR /> <BR />The interim report is a harrowing reminder of the abhorrent actions of the IRA against those whom it killed and the families that they left behind and a damning indictment of the state's handling of agents, with the report stating that Stakeknife, whom we all know and believe to be Freddie Scappaticci, cost more lives than he saved. It is a damning indictment of how the security services ran agents during the Troubles. Saving lives should have been paramount.”
“One thing that I want to highlight is the fact that inclusivity was missing from the Minister's comments. I want to ensure that, in the consultation, he includes inclusivity. I am glad to hear —”
“Once parents purchase a school uniform and a PE uniform, there is then the idea of a scarf and a coat. To be perfectly honest, in this day and age, not being allowed to wear a scarf or a coat to school unless it has school branding is a disgrace. When the weather is cold, we need to ensure that parents can provide their children with anything. <BR /> <BR />I will touch on a few of the things that the Minister said. I welcome his points about ensuring that affordability can work for parents.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have heard everyone in the Chamber agree with that today, and I listened to the example provided by Danny Baker about the family that had three children, one of whom was a child who attended a special needs school. That is an important issue to reflect on, because what uniforms surely are not is inclusive. When we talk to children about reasons that they are not happy with their school uniform, we hear that it is not about getting rid of the school uniform in its entirety. Rather, it is about comfort. Given that a lot of SEN children, many of whom attend mainstream schools, have sensory issues, are our school uniforms built for purpose to enable those kids to feel comfortable? <BR /> <BR />There was some focus on the add-ons to school uniforms, and I will expand a little bit on that.”
“It exacerbates the problem that we have with division in our school system. We all know that our schools are divided. They are not integrated on a true basis, and I am not talking just about religion. I am talking about academia and about a financial set point. Children who come from families that can afford it will receive school tuition and are more likely to go to a grammar school. Families that can afford it will be able to afford the school uniform and the branded PE gear, and their children will go on to play for the school sports team, whether that be football or rugby. If branded PE gear is required, the families that will be able to afford it will more than likely be the ones that will opt for it.”
“At one point, my parents had to find uniforms for six different post-primary schools. We all know that we have to buy blazers, jumpers and PE kits. It is simply unaffordable; it was unaffordable 20 years ago when I was at school, and it is still unaffordable today. As has been highlighted by MLAs, it is often getting worse. <BR /> <BR />Another issue that I want to address, which other MLAs shared, is the idea of branded PE uniforms. I make reference to Mike Nesbitt's comments around branding that, if the school wants a branded PE uniform to be worn, why should the school not pay for it or not have a wardrobe of that PE uniform? If a particular brand wants to be shown on a school uniform, why does it not pay for that through school sponsorship? Why place the burden on a child?”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister said that he was one of five children that his parents had to find school uniforms for. I can top that, Minister: I am one of eight children.”
“That is not really the image that we think of when we think of kids. We think of laughter, fun and innocence. The child should not be part of the school uniform; rather, the school uniform should be part of the child and complement what it is that they do in school and, most importantly, it should be comfortable. <BR /> <BR />Many Members noted the expense for parents but also the stress on the children that that causes. Some Members expressed concern about that, and I share that concern. No child should be stressed by the financial circumstances that their parents find themselves in because of the burdens placed on them with the expense of school uniforms. We all agree that the school uniform grant is not sufficient and that it should have been updated many years ago.”
“I thank the Minister for his response just before the lunch break. I want to point to some of the specific issues that were highlighted in the debate by many Members throughout the Chamber. Before I do that, however, I want to take a moment to describe what we all know as a school uniform and what is seen as a standard school uniform. <BR /> <BR />We all know that a young child usually wears a uniform comprising a shirt and tie, looking like they are going off to an interview. At the age of four, they sit at a desk for six hours a day, with a scratchy jumper and tight trousers on. They are little kids, who were used to running about in the nursery playground for four hours, but they are sat at a desk for six hours in their little school tie, a jumper, skirts or pinafores.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your answers so far and for the extension. I am sure that service users, specifically those who are on the waiting list, will be glad to hear that. <BR /> <BR />I am concerned about a few things that have been said. Members were informed that a tendering process had been started but was then paused. If that was not for financial reasons and was instead operational, why was it paused? Why did people not sit down with Nexus to discuss those issues and get to the bottom of them? Was that your decision, or was it made by the SPPG? What can we do to ensure that that does not happen and that we actually have solutions, rather than simply cancel a service?”
“I am thankful for the Minister's answers, specifically on workforce and pay negotiations. I will go back to the first few questions on the pay negotiations. What discussions has the Minister had about working conditions that could be alleviated, for junior doctors specifically, in the here and now rather than if he waits for the overall safe staffing legislation, since we are not sure when that will come to the Assembly?”
“<BR /> <BR />We have already discussed that issue in public. Each and every one of us, when canvassing doors right across Northern Ireland, will have been met with the conversation about reform. We know that people support it and that people can get on board, so I say to the DUP and Sinn Féin: do not be afraid of what reform could mean. I know that you may be afraid of losing your power and control, but it is more important to move this place forward and have an Assembly and Executive that can actually deliver for everyone.”
“I am proud to say that we still support the Belfast Agreement, but, at the time it was published, it contained safeguards so that it could be changed and updated, because time moves on. We all have our political priorities, but we cannot push forward our political priorities without the threat and the shadow in the background of bringing down these institutions. <BR /> <BR />We wanted the motion to be a bit more specific, and we did attempt to table an amendment. However, perhaps we understand why the SDLP has not been specific, and I understand that the leader of the Opposition will address some more issues in his winding-up speech. I would like to hear from the SDLP if it will also get on board with the Alliance proposals to remove the system of designations, because that is particularly important.”
“Alliance respects that, and we have been calling for reform since 2004. In June 2022, we published our proposals and put them forward to the UK and Irish Governments, stating that we are willing to have these conversations and to talk about cross-community voting and designations, because, as my colleague has just outlined, the votes of the people who voted for the Alliance Party are not counted in any cross-community vote. We need to ensure that we can move past that, but it is not just about words; it is about action. <BR /> <BR />The Member who spoke before me — I speak through you, Principal Deputy Speaker — highlighted the Belfast Agreement, which many Members in the Chamber support.”
“The reason why people are so reluctant to give up the power of veto is control. If you are refusing to give up that power and to reform the veto over the establishment of these institutions, it is for one reason only: you want to use the threat of bringing down these institutions again. <BR /> <BR />We need to go beyond that type of politics in this day and age. We need to ensure that we have good governance and a respectful way of debating the issues that we do not all agree on. There is no one in the Chamber who believes that they can get everything that they want at all times. In bringing down the institutions, we see people acting like they should get everything that they want. However, they know that, in any negotiation, the outcome will never be totally on your side.”
“I support the motion. I am glad that it has been tabled and that the SDLP is joining the Alliance Party in our calls for reform of the institutions. I say that in all honesty and without sarcasm, because it is important that all parties get on board and not just have discussions and conversations about reform, but actually help to make it happen. <BR /> <BR />There is an elephant in the room, however, that has not been highlighted today. These institutions are as stable today as they were the day before the last collapse. The reason not just why Sinn Féin and the DUP are lacking in support for reform of the institutions but why others are not fully on board — I appreciate that UUP Members have said that they support the motion but are unsure about the entirety of the conversation — is the issue of power.”
“Does the Member agree that it is not about exclusion, but it is more that those who do not want and are not willing to participate choose to exclude themselves and to opt out? Rather than using the word "exclusion", we might use "self-exclusion", or say that they are opting out of sitting in an Executive.”
“It is an ethical and moral question, and we have an obligation to the public to ensure that we end violence against women and girls in all forms and say that, where women and children are still at risk, we will stand by them and have the necessary support for them.”
“At a time when we are supposed to be tackling violence against women and girls across all Departments here, what kind of message does that send? <BR /> <BR />The prevalence of sexual violence in our community stands at one in four women, one in eight men and one in six children having experienced it. Those referrals now have nowhere to go except to the GP general mental health service. That is not to say that there will not be specialist training and counselling there, but it is not simply about saving money, it is about offsetting the burden. It will be displaced from one service and simply placed on to another. We need to ensure that, if we are serious about tackling violence against women and girls, we work as one. It is not just about a financial question of saving pennies but, in the long term, spending pounds.”
“I rise this afternoon to highlight the situation around funding for specialist counselling services for survivors of sexual violence. Nexus has been providing a specialist service for five years, fully aware that it would come to an end on 31 March — this month. However, Nexus and, indeed, members of the Health Committee did not expect that there was to be no replacement service, despite the tender process initially beginning last year. Nexus has been supporting over 7,000 individuals, with 400 people in ongoing therapy and almost 800 on waiting lists, but we were told that, as of last Thursday at 5.00 pm, the service could not take on any more new referrals. That means 175 new referrals per month.”
“I am sure that the Minister will agree that integrated education can be truly transformative for society as a whole. At your meeting with the Treasury tomorrow, will you urge it to reverse its decision to remove ring-fenced funding, and, if it refuses to do so, will you work with the Education Minister to ensure that the capital funding for integrated schools can move ahead?”
“This is my first time addressing the Minister in the Chamber, so I wish him well in his new role. <BR /> <BR />Sticking with North Belfast, what engagement will he commit to having with the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on dealing with derelict and dilapidated buildings, such as Crumlin Road courthouse, which also have the potential for huge tourism opportunities?”
“If people are already entering the criminal justice system, society as a whole needs to look at the reasons why we have failed them.”
“I remember that, when I studied law as an undergraduate at the University of Ulster, there was — I do not know whether Members have learned about it — a module on street law, which gave people the opportunity to go into the criminal justice system for themselves and work with offenders on developing their understanding of the community and its needs. It was an absolutely amazing experience, and I recommend it to undergraduates who are studying law as something that they can take on to understand the needs of people so that, when they enter the system, those who represent them, such as legal professionals in particular, can communicate with them in a way that they understand. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Members again for tabling the motion. I emphasise that it is not just about a justice approach; it is also about education and health.”