Sian Mulholland
North Antrim · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“Members from different parties recognised that our justice system must continue to evolve and continue to have children, young people and victims at its heart. What, we know, works to reduce offending and create safer communities has that support. <BR /> <BR />Not every contribution reflected that approach.”
“I will use my final Member's statement before recess to reflect on the work of the Ten is Too Young Coalition and all those who have worked so passionately to increase the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR), including Voice of Young People in Care, the Children's Law Centre, NIACRO, the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Childre…”
“We so often hear calls in the Chamber for legislation that is evidence-led, data-driven and compliant with our human rights obligations. Those are principles that I wholeheartedly support, but they cannot be principles that are applied only when they are convenient. Children's rights are human rights too.”
“<BR /> <BR />The triggering of the petition of concern mechanism was a misuse of a mechanism that was designed to protect minority rights. Here it is, blocking change designed to protect those who are most vulnerable.”
“Safeguarding falls within your remit, Minister. We know that, but we also know that it is the responsibility of each and every one of us. That is part of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. Faith-based counselling is not subject to the same regulation as other clinical counselling services.”
“Thank you, Minister. I am glad to hear you say that the role played by social workers is "complex and challenging". From what I hear from those who have contacted me, social workers are stretched to capacity. What is the Department doing to address that?”
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“Why is a child in Ballycastle more likely to visit a food bank than a child who lives in Scotland, just 12 miles away across the North Channel? Is it because parents in Ballycastle work less hard or care less about their children? Of course not. It is because Scotland's leaders made a political choice to tackle child poverty head-on. The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 introduced legally binding targets to reduce child poverty. Policies such as the Scottish child payment and universal free school meals directly lift children out of poverty. Those were not just policies but commitments backed by funding and measurable outcomes. In Northern Ireland, we have made the opposite choice: to delay, to deflect and to deny the scale of the crisis. Scotland's child payment alone has reduced child poverty by five percentage points.”
“<BR /> <BR />Let me be clear: it is shameful that those places even need to exist in our society. I walked in there not happy, smiling and delighted to see everybody but with a profound and conflicted sense of shame and anger that the political system of which I am part has allowed that to happen. We in the Chamber should not offer congratulations to food banks on their existence. We need to offer solutions to end their necessity. As someone at our round-table discussion this morning told me, food banks used to be an emergency lifeline but are now part of everyday life. <BR /> <BR />The people of Ballycastle and from communities across Northern Ireland are asking not for handouts but for dignity, stability and fairness. They are asking for change, and it is our duty to provide it.”
“The work that Ashley and her team do there is nothing short of heroic — saving lives; providing warmth and sustenance; signposting people to vital services — and is done without fanfare and often without the resources that they so desperately need and risking people avoiding them in the street lest anyone, God forbid, would know that they avail themselves of the food bank's services. The food bank in Lisburn has distributed 461 tons of food, which equates to almost 1·1 million meals. It has fed one in six children in Lisburn and supported one in 10 single-parent families since its opening in 2013. Foyle Foodbank has seen a 161% increase in demand, with 9,000 people, including 4,000 children, having been given household essentials in the past year.”
“I rise not out of duty but out of a profound sense of sadness and quite a lot of anger that, in 2025, children in Northern Ireland still rely on food banks to survive; that 62,000 children face hunger in Northern Ireland; that the number of emergency food parcels distributed to children has increased by 90% in the past five years; and that we continue to accept that as inevitable, with child poverty still not being treated as an outright priority by today's Department for Communities or any previous one. <BR /> <BR />What frightens me more is that individuals mask their poverty, making the true scale of need almost impossible to measure. Those people remain on the periphery, ashamed to seek help, and fall deeper into poverty as a result. Last week, I had the privilege — I use that word cautiously — to visit the food bank in Ballycastle.”
“— not just online violence: it is violence full stop.”
“Telecommunications legislation is reserved by the UK Government, but we need legislation in order to move forward. Deepfake imagery is —”
“The First Minister, the deputy First Minister and all Ministers should engage to ensure that the changes are implemented quickly and effectively in Northern Ireland, as Connie Egan outlined and Diana Armstrong mentioned. The fastest way in which we can get there is by working with Westminster. While we would love to see further legislation here, we will not get there in this mandate. <BR /> <BR />It is not solely a Department of Justice issue. It is cross-cutting and involves the Department of Education, which deals with young people; the Department of Health, which deals with online victims who require robust mental health interventions; and the Department for the Economy, which looks at cyber skills. The regulator, Ofcom, has to hold the platforms accountable, as Maurice Bradley referenced.”
“Those examples illustrate how deepfake technology can destroy reputations, manipulate public conversations and inflict serious emotional and psychological damage. There are also sinister viral acts happening virtually, about which Deirdre Hargey talked. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the UK Government's announcement of a new criminal offence of creating sexually explicit deepfake images with penalties of up to two years in prison. I welcome the call to liaise with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. Legislation must do so much more than keep pace with technology; it has to get ahead of it, which is why we tabled our amendment urging the Executive Office to engage with that Secretary of State.”
“It is not just a technological issue but is deeply tied, as others have said, to the broader issues of misogyny, harassment and, ultimately, control. <BR /> <BR />In looking at AI, deepfake imagery is particularly alarming. They are such hyperrealistic images that women are left completely vulnerable, simply for existing online. The issue is not just hypothetical. It is not just pie in the sky. It is happening now and on a massive scale. Look at the case of Taylor Swift, bigger than us, whose AI-generated pornographic images went viral and garnered millions of views before they were deleted 17 hours later. There was also an AI-generated image that falsely showed her endorsing Donald Trump, which completely distorted that public discourse.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I will try to speak fast. I wish that I had more time. <BR /> <BR />I echo my colleague Connie's personal thanks to Cara Hunter. We know only too well the abuse that comes when a woman speaks out about her personal experience, as my colleague Sorcha Eastwood is unfortunately experiencing this week and has probably experienced every week since she became an elected representative. <BR /> <BR />We know that artificial intelligence holds great promise. When it is abused, however, it can cause such immense harm. The rise of AI-driven deepfake technology is such a rapidly evolving and metastasising problem. It is spreading across platforms and creating really serious societal challenges.”
“Thank you very much, Minister. Are there are any other recommendations of the independent welfare review that you are considering for the upcoming Budget?”
“Minister, this is obviously a sensitive topic. Will you give your assessment of the importance of following an evidence-led and risk-based approach rather than indulging in some of these knee-jerk, populist reactions when you are keeping prisoners safe?”
“Thank you, Minister. I have spoken about this matter a couple of times before, and it is just because of the impact that it is having on that farming community. Does the Minister know whether further or additional measures will be put in place to prevent further damage from any other storm-related incidents along that road? We know that the situation is created by the increased rainfall and the increased volume of water going under the concourse of the road. Will additional measures be put in place before the final upgrade and works?”
“Thank you, junior Minister. Will you clarify what work is being undertaken to assist schools that have to manage pupils who travel significant distances or change school at short notice?”
“I thank the Minister. I am not quite on the "woo-hoo" level of the spectrum, but I welcome the statement. <BR /> <BR />What learning will be taken from the 10 years of shared housing delivery? Will the Minister mainstream the Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) shared housing community support model across all new public housing developments in order to achieve his objectives?”
“Thank you, Minister. I know that, in my constituency, there are so many groups that are doing amazing work. They are really struggling for financial support. What consideration is the Minister giving to further financial support for rural areas, and will he agree to meet some of those groups with me?”
“Minister, will there be a consultation on future wildlife interventions?”
“The words that I am about to say are not mine. They are those of Sinéad, who is a Trussell service user from part of the group that launched the Trussell's 'Building blocks for a better future' report, on Thursday. I feel that they are important enough for the Chamber to hear fully.”
“<BR /> <BR />Every delay and missed opportunity represents a child whose potential is going unfulfilled. Hopefully, we can see a full implementation of the CSCA, address funding gaps in the interim, invest in staff training in the interim and, in the longer term, get a transformation action plan and identify needs early. At the point of identification, we can look at early intervention.”
“SEN teaching assistants in mainstream schools earn significantly less than their counterparts in special schools such as the fabulous Castle Tower, despite doing the same work. That inequity undermines morale and staff retention in what are already challenging roles. That is what I have heard. <BR /> <BR />I also want to cheer on the voluntary and community sector, which is stepping up and stepping in when the statutory sector fails. I have the privilege of engaging directly with the amazing efforts of the Compass Advocacy Network (CAN) in Ballymoney. That organisation exemplifies what can be achieved through grassroots initiatives to enhance lives and create change for individuals with learning disabilities, autism and mental health challenges.”
“If schools lack funding for essential resources, such as their sensory equipment, that can transform learning environments for the children they work with. She said that staff were overworked and were often responsible for multiple children with complex needs, despite being assigned to provide one-to-one support. That is just the nature of what they have to deal with. Training is sometimes inadequate, which leaves staff unprepared to handle the significant challenges that they face daily and were not necessarily expecting. She put it best when she said that earlier intervention can help a child so much more than letting them struggle for the next few years. <BR /> <BR />The issues are compounded by pay disparities.”
“The review cannot be another one that gathers dust: it must result in clear actions, measurable outcomes and time-bound goals. Only then will we begin to rebuild trust with families, educators and, most importantly, the children who depend on the system. The system should also identify needs early, as we know that early intervention is absolutely key to the most positive outcomes. <BR /> <BR />The challenges in North Antrim remain stark. I spoke to a SEN teaching assistant in Dunclug Primary School who shared some of the struggles faced by staff and asked me to share them today. If children wait years for a diagnosis, that delays their access to crucial resources like one-to-one assistance.”
“The Public Accounts Committee and the obligatory statutory review of the CSCA have made it abundantly clear that that legislation is not being utilised to its full potential. I have communicated that to the Finance Minister and, through many Assembly questions, to the Education Minister, because it is a useful tool if used to its fullest potential. It is a missed opportunity: it could and should be the foundation of a joined-up system that places children at its centre. Instead, it remains an untapped resource that is gathering dust while children continue to fall through the cracks. Agencies must embrace the cooperative ethos of the CSCA to align efforts across education, health and social care. <BR /> <BR />An actionable transformation plan — one that emerges from the end-to-end review of SEN provision — is desperately needed.”
“I have just received a text message from the parent of a five-year-old child who attends Castle Tower saying that an incredible weight has been lifted off her shoulders by Castle Tower bringing those therapists into the school system, meaning that they do not have to look elsewhere. However, we are not seeing that for all families. That siloed system results in delays in diagnosis, in statements and in the provision of vital support. Those are delays that could cause harm to the children whom we should be helping. <BR /> <BR />I am particularly passionate about the Children's Services Co-operation Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (CSCA), which was designed to address the silo mentality across Departments.”
“Families and schools have faced a labyrinth of delays and miscommunication, and that has left children waiting for far too long for diagnoses, support and intervention. I do not think that that is because of a crisis of resource; sometimes, it is a crisis of priorities. There is a bit of bureaucracy taking precedence over outcomes, and the families would say that that is simply unacceptable. <BR /> <BR />One of the most significant barriers to reform is the lack of effective cooperation between education and health services, as mentioned by my colleague Philip McGuigan. SEN provision often relies on health professionals, such as speech therapists and occupational therapists, yet those services remain disjointed.”
“<BR /> <BR />Despite the countless reviews and recommendations, the system continues to fail children and families across Northern Ireland, but North Antrim, with its dedicated schools, educators and voluntary organisations, reflects the struggles within the system and the possibilities of what we can achieve when we work together. For over a decade, report after report has painted a picture of a SEN system that is unable to meet the needs of our children. That is clear to see. The Minister and the Department have acknowledged the failure. <BR /> <BR />As many have said, the lack of provision has been inherited — it has not happened overnight — but the Department remains overwhelmed when it comes to our SEN provision and is consumed by statutory processes rather than being able to focus fully on the needs of children.”
“I thank my constituency colleague Colin for bringing the debate before us. Most of us will have had some of the families in our offices, explaining the situations that they have been in. Special educational needs provision in North Antrim needs to be looked at through a rural lens. Members have already spoken about some of the key issues, but, when you look at North Antrim and see some of the villages, particularly in the Causeway coast and glens area, where children have to travel for a long time and distance to get to the like of Castle Tower — there are brilliant SEN provision units in some of our schools — you see that there is an issue of spread in the more rural areas.”
“<BR /> <BR />Minister Muir emphasised the importance of a holistic, science-led approach to managing TB. My colleague John Blair highlighted the importance of prioritising biosecurity and collaboration, and he strongly urged that we fully consider a range of solutions in order to identify the optimum solutions grounded in science. <BR /> <BR />We have to support our farmers. They have long been the stewards of our countryside, and we must ensure that they know that they do not stand alone in this fight.”
“If we want to achieve real, lasting progress, we need a strategy that focuses on measures to reduce those mounting costs. That will not only relieve pressure on the Department but ensure a sustainable future for our agriculture sector. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge the progress made in other regions. In Wales, pre- and post-movement testing measures have been reintroduced, and those new regulations have helped to limit the spread of TB. In England, DEFRA is moving towards phasing out culling in favour of vaccination and enhanced biosecurity. Northern Ireland can learn from those examples and, hopefully, adopt practices suited to our unique needs and very unique environment. Hopefully, by embracing those best practices, we can strengthen our response to TB and tailor it to reflect the specific challenges and opportunities in this region.”
“All are integral to our countryside, and our policies have to reflect that balance. The Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher, was, on commencing his role, commissioned by the Minister to undertake a review of TB, including consultations with veterinary and agricultural groups, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and our neighbouring jurisdictions. I look forward to and await the outcome of that work, which, hopefully, will provide us with a fresh and new start in the battle against bovine TB. <BR /> <BR />Financial sustainability is also very much at the heart of this issue. Our control costs reached £56 million last year, with the potential to increase to £60 million this year. The financial burden is unsustainable for farmers and the Department.”
“With the herd incidence rates currently exceeding 10%, many farm families will have experienced at first hand the devastating impact of TB. As an Assembly, we have a duty to stand with our farmers and ensure that they have the support to fight the disease. As part of a comprehensive approach, we have to place a significant emphasis on biosecurity. Encouraging all to strengthen biosecurity is essential, and, by implementing more robust measures on our farms, we can significantly reduce the transmission of TB between cattle and limit its spread within herds. Personal responsibility plays a vital role here. Our farmers are the first line of defence in controlling TB. <BR /> <BR />A balanced and considered approach to wildlife interventions is vital. Protecting our farmers, their animals and wildlife go hand in hand.”
“We owe it to them to explore every solution that science and sound policy can offer. We have to ensure that our farmers do not feel alone in this battle and that they are provided with the support that they need to protect their herds and sustain their way of life.”
“They are not just assets but members of the farming family, and losing them is devastating. The pain of seeing valued cattle lost, coupled with the stress of the ongoing financial pressures, is overwhelming. A farmer in my constituency told me that it was as if a black cloud had descended on his family.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to address the Assembly on the issue. Rural MLAs in particular will have heard some story from one of their constituents about how horrendous the situation is, and I have seen that not least in my constituency of North Antrim. We have to approach the challenge through a balanced and science-based strategy, as other Members have said. I thank my colleague the Minister for his ongoing work and his commitment to finding solutions. Looking outside the box to find solutions is key. <BR /> <BR />Bovine TB does more than threaten a herd: as others have said, it breaks bonds that have been built through generations, with every animal lost representing countless hours of care and dedication. People do not realise how important those animals can be.”
“I wonder why the Minister felt it appropriate to give notice of his statement to an east Antrim Facebook group before the House was notified, which contravenes Standing Order 18B. Maybe the Minister could clarify why he did that. <BR /> <BR />My question is this: was any consideration given to alternative approaches to the flat-rate payment, such as a targeted system that takes into account varying levels of need among pensioners to ensure that the funding achieves maximum impact?”
“Minister, like me, you are a champion for young people's voices. How will the panel engage with young people, and who else do you envision the panel engaging with?”
“It was on the same point, Mr Deputy Speaker.”
“He was not at a mic, so it is hardly going to be in Hansard. Do you think that that was appropriate?”
“Achieving it requires significant and sustained investment in workforce development, infrastructure and programmes such as Sure Start, as I said. It cannot simply be about expanding the subsidy scheme alone. While subsidies are essential, they must form part of a broader strategy that includes structural reforms and a commitment to long-term funding.”
“I declare an interest, as my baby's day care is provided 28 miles from my home, owing to the lack of childcare in my area. <BR /> <BR />It is not just about quick fixes or stopgap measures but about a paradigm shift towards a system that puts children at its heart. It means recognising that childcare is not just a means of getting parents back to work but a way of giving every child the best start in life, supporting families and ensuring equal opportunities for every child. <BR /> <BR />The motion includes a goal of reducing costs for parents by 50% by 2030. That is a commendable ambition, but I want us to aim even higher. Universal free childcare, as called for by Gerry Carroll, is an aspiration that we share. The reality, however, is that, right now, we do not know how that is achievable within budget availability.”
“I do not sit on the Executive, so I am not able to tell you that. <BR /> <BR />The scheme needs to include school-age childcare and ensure that those on universal credit can benefit. Programmes such as Sure Start should be placed on a statutory footing and expanded. We know how much that can alleviate some of the causes of poverty. We know the value of Sure Start. We have to ensure that our childcare workers feel valued and supported, and that starts with better pay and conditions and better opportunities for training and development. We have to address the barriers that prevent children with disabilities and additional needs from accessing childcare and early education. Inclusion should be at the heart of the system. We need to address the barriers to rural provision and the lack of choice for parents.”
“Go ahead. I have very little time, so it has to be short, David.”
“I thank the SDLP for tabling the motion. I am glad to see that they have moved away from championing the free hours policy pursued by the UK Government. We all have seen that that policy has failed to reduce costs for families and has placed undue pressure on providers. That has led to provision being even more restricted, which has caused untold frustration and challenges in the UK. <BR /> <BR />I support the motion's intent. We need to go much further if we are to properly address the challenges that our parents, providers and economy face. To truly transform childcare in Northern Ireland, we need a holistic approach that addresses the current situation. The childcare subsidy scheme is a step in the right direction. I use it — I should declare that — but it has to grow and evolve. It needs to include school-age childcare.”
“Does the Member agree that it is the organisations in the sector that have really pushed the strategy and helped with its development?”
“Thank you, Minister, for that. According to a senior police officer whom I was speaking to recently, there has been a spike in suicides among males in the Causeway Coast and Glens area. Is your Department aware of that, and does it take an approach that looks at things through a rural lens and the effect that isolation may have among young men? Is there anything specific?”
“Following on from that, I wish to ask about encouraging young people to participate in the democratic process, which is what participatory budgeting is all about. What support does the Department give to school councils or pupils to engage in their school's democratic processes?”
“Will the deputy First Minister outline the role that the commissioners will have in working alongside the North/South language bodies?”
“Thank you very much, Minister. Like the Committee Chair, I welcome any penny that goes towards debt relief and advice. You mentioned that different councils will get different funding. Will you elaborate on the distribution? Will anything be built into the criteria to ensure that help reaches the most vulnerable groups, such as those with disabilities or those in rural areas who have difficulty accessing face-to-face debt advice?”
“I recently met representatives of Barnardo's who deal with children who are leaving care and have experience of homelessness. Is the Department able to put in place any additional supports, particularly working with the Northern Trust or other health trusts, with the knowledge that those young people will be leaving care and, potentially, going into a homelessness situation?”
“Apologies, Minister. I was genuinely so engrossed in what you were saying about the issues that are coming up for our farmers. <BR /> <BR />I would love to invite you, Minister. I will be in touch with your Department to arrange a meeting about Garron plateau. I thank you for the work that is being done on the peatlands so far.”