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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“Ms McLaughlin and David both mentioned the waiting period of the two-week window, the non-alignment of the results coming out, the need for a fourth A level and the need for languages, as only 4% of students are taking languages at that level. Our work experience students brought up all those issues with me.”
“By focusing predominantly on university education, the motion fails to recognise the value of vocational routes and the necessity of enhancing those opportunities to retain and develop talent in Northern Ireland. It is imperative that any comprehensive strategy on reducing the brain drain includes robust support for all vocational and apprenticeship programmes and ensures that all students can access the education and training that best suit their aspirations and abilities. <BR /> <BR />One of the biggest issues raised by the young people was that of CAO reform, which my colleague David also referenced. One of the comments was, "My teachers told me more about studying in Europe than they did about studying in the South of Ireland". We need to change that. It is down the road.”
“If we can create the political will to work together, it will put across a much more positive view of this place. <BR /> <BR />Like David, I had a great team of work experience students with me last week who helped me out by giving me their views on this motion. The first comment that I heard was that university is not the only way. Although the motion highlights a critical issue regarding the exodus of students pursuing higher education outside Northern Ireland, it overlooks an equally important aspect: the need to support those seeking education through non-university channels, such as vocational training and apprenticeships. Many young people prefer or are better suited to those alternatives, which are vital for meeting the diverse needs of our economy and addressing those skills shortages.”
“<BR /> <BR />Part of that creative stability has to include reform of these institutions. One thing that I have consistently heard from my best friend in America, my brother in Europe and my cousin in Australia is this: why would I come back when Northern Ireland can hardly sustain a half-functioning Government? We need to make sure that we create a stable political environment that fosters a culture of collaboration and mutual respect and where no one party holds disproportionate power to collapse these institutions ever again. Such reforms will build public trust, encourage political engagement and ensure that the focus remains on serving the best interests of all our citizens, thereby providing the stability that we need for our young people to see a future here.”
“It is essential that we create a region where young people feel confident about building their future, supported by robust economic opportunities, social cohesion and political stability. <BR /> <BR />We therefore have to prioritise policies. It is not just about one policy. We have to prioritise all policies that enhance job prospects, as my colleague David has said. We have to improve our public services and ensure that there is a high quality of life. Why else would anyone come home? We have to make this an attractive place for graduates to return to and to invest and build families in. This commitment to stability and inclusivity will not just help to retain our talented young people but stimulate long-term growth and prosperity for the entire community, because it has a knock-on effect.”
“There we go. My apologies. <BR /> <BR />Neither I, as party spokesperson for children and young people, nor my party has any issue with young people going elsewhere to study. It can be a wonderful experience that opens individuals' eyes to diversity and affords them independence from their families and parents. My issue is the lack of young people returning after that education experience. That is where our responsibility lies. We are caretakers of this place. It is up to us to create an environment that young people want to come back to. We have a profound duty to every single one of those students who gets on a ferry, on a plane or in a car to go to university. We need to foster a stable and welcoming environment that encourages them to return home after completing their education to invest in this place.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. I cannot get my speech up.”
“Apologies. I was talking when I should have been listening.”
“<BR /> <BR />The legislation should and will offer a flexible approach to engaging with official meetings, and I believe that it will help those whom we most need represented in local government to be able to engage. I welcome the legislation.”
“I am sure that there are many other local representatives who have felt that lack of flexibility over the past four months. However, all that said, I am really glad that the regulations are here and that, by the time councils come back after the summer, hopefully, each will be able to have its standing orders in place. <BR /> <BR />My one concern about the legislation is that every council area will have the opportunity and ability to define its own process for eligibility for hybrid working and for the standing orders that will govern it. I do not want to see a situation whereby different councils place different parameters on their cohort of councillors and where we could see some councillors being treated very differently or in a divergent way, dependent on their council area.”
“<BR /> <BR />At that time, I was very clear that the removal of the regulations would serve only as a further barrier to getting involved in public life, especially to those with caring responsibilities, illnesses, conditions, disabilities, people with young families, such as me, and those who live in rural communities. I was contacted by one councillor who regularly had flare-ups of a bowel condition and felt that the removal of regulations made it very difficult for them to be consistent in their attendance at committee. In the months since, my party has lost a very capable young councillor. He is the father of two very young children who were born whilst the regulations were in place. He cited the lack of flexibility for hybrid working as one of the main factors in why he had to step down from council.”
“It is with some relief that I see the regulations coming before the House. At its meeting on 22 February, the Committee for Communities agreed to recommend that statutory rules on the extension of provisions in the Coronavirus Act 2020 relating to local authority meetings be approved by the Assembly. However, they were then pulled with no notice to the Committee. The decision not to extend those regulations was communicated, as some will remember, on a Friday evening, with some councillors getting less than 48 hours to make alternative arrangements to be present in the chamber for the remainder of the meetings in March and going forward. We were told at that time that stand-alone legislation would be put in place at pace.”
“In the light of that, I have asked the Minister for Communities and the Minister of Health for an update on what we can do urgently, because it is imperative that we protect the financial stability of our NHS workers who have served our communities tirelessly. I urge both Ministers to prioritise those concerns and act swiftly to find some form of solution for those healthcare workers, because they deserve not just applause and gratitude but tangible support that reflects their dedication. That needs to extend to those who rely on benefits to allow them to engage in their employment in our healthcare sector.”
“<BR /> <BR />One suggested solution was that the payment be made in instalments in her monthly pay packet over the past few months and next few months. Her universal credit would not have been affected by that. It now seems that she is no better off and may even be worse off as she could have to apply for universal credit all over again. We are well aware that one of the significant challenges with universal credit is the mandatory five-week wait for new claims. That delay can be devastating for families, leaving them unable to provide for essential items and services for their children during that waiting period.”
“The constituent who contacted me is a nurse and single mum of four children. She has voiced her concern that the additional income will be counted as surplus earnings against her universal credit, thereby resulting in a reduction or, even more worryingly, a cessation of her benefits. The situation is not only unfair but very disheartening, as it undermines the very purpose of the pay award, which was to support and recognise the invaluable contribution of our healthcare workers. That mum should be planning some fun activities for her children over the summer, or even treating herself, which mothers are, at times, unlikely to do. Instead, she has the worry of how she will make good on her essentials.”
“It is not just about numbers; it is about the lives of single parents, caregivers and families who rely on those essential benefits to survive and actually engage in work life.”
“I want to raise a critical issue that is affecting our dedicated NHS workers who are simultaneously reliant on universal credit in order to provide for their basic living essentials. While the recent announcement of a pay raise and back pay for NHS workers in Northern Ireland is very welcome, it has brought unintended consequences that we have to urgently address. Healthcare workers, like the public health nurse who contacted me last week, face the real and distressing possibility that the forthcoming lump sum pay award of £1,500 that is scheduled for August 2024 could significantly impact their universal credit payments.”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh Cheann Comhairle Dháil Éireann go Stormont inniu.”
“I agree that we have not tapped the full potential of the Ulster-Scots cultural and linguistic community here. Does the Minister agree that, before we look externally, we need to fully recognise the potential here and look at some initiatives to promote Irish and Ulster-Scots culture and language together and promote inclusivity of all languages in Northern Ireland?”
“Alex raised over £1,400 from his endeavour, and he has three key asks. He wants to support the ongoing work of Deafblind, which has been a massive support to him since his diagnosis. He wants to raise awareness of the challenges and consequences that pavement parking causes for those who are sight-impaired. He wants to highlight the impact on those from the blind community of dogs being off-lead in public areas. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to Alex and his daughter Jana for their brilliant walk. Thankfully, the weather was kind to them. He has raised over £1,400 for Deafblind, and we should be mindful of the blind community when we park and in how we engage with its members.”
“I pay tribute to Alex Patterson and his teenage daughter Jana, who are both from Ballymoney. Alex is a 54-year-old father of two teenage daughters and is a former youth worker. In his mid-40s, his sight began to deteriorate, and he was diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy in 2019. He is now registered as severely sight-impaired or blind. <BR /> <BR />Alex has spoken about the social isolation that the diagnosis led to and some of the challenges that he has faced. He is a prolific campaigner on the issue of pavement parking in Ballymoney and beyond. Last week, after a send-off by the Lord Mayor, Micky Murray, he walked from City Hall all the way to Stormont, where he was welcomed by my colleagues from the Infrastructure Committee, Peter McReynolds MLA and Andy McMurray MLA.”
“The Minister has just mentioned the Causeway coast and glens, part of my constituency. There is a divergent approach across my constituency, because it straddles two council areas. Will the Minister commit to writing to councils to try to get them to take one approach to biodiversity, wildflowers and grass cutting?”
“Those individuals or families have only one place that they call home, and it is our duty to protect them immediately, which is why I support the expediency that is afforded by the Bill. <BR /> <BR />While the proposed amendment to the Bill is well-intentioned, it presents significant challenges and risks. We have to strive for a solution that protects residents from defective buildings, and, by opposing the amendment, we can ensure that the Bill progresses quickly and effectively, addressing the urgent needs of our residents without unnecessary complication.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I have said that accelerated passage is not the preferred method or mechanism for doing this business. However, I am aware that the expediency with which we have to put the Bill in place necessitates this approach. I understand where the Member is coming from. <BR /> <BR />I want to emphasise that my opposition to the amendment does not come from a disregard for people's safety and the well-being of our residents. On the contrary: I am acutely aware of the importance of ensuring that every home in Northern Ireland is safe and secure, and I cannot even begin to imagine the experiences of those who live in defective premises. They cannot be overlooked or minimised.”
“My party and I believe that the Bill has to be enacted swiftly to address the urgent issues at hand to achieve parity with England and Wales.”
“The proposed clause grants the Department the authority to specify particular building materials, products and design features through regulations. That broad, sweeping power raises several concerns. We are at risk of creating a more rigid and overly prescriptive regulatory environment. Protection is already present in the Building Regulations (NI) Order. Additionally, there are some concerns around the amendment adding any substantial value to the Bill. It prescribes for actions already covered in existing duty provisions in article 3. <BR /> <BR />The proposed clause mandates the Department to consider existing building regulations but does not adequately mitigate the potential for conflict and confusion. It just adds another layer of specifications that could lead to inconsistencies.”
“I welcome the Bill's Consideration Stage. As has been mentioned, accelerated passage is not the ideal mechanism, but it is necessary, given the concerns that have necessitated expediency on the issue. <BR /> <BR />I concur with the Member who spoke previously and the Deputy Chair of the Communities Committee. We want to see a more fulsome Bill come forward, but we are aware of the limitations of the mandate. It is something that my colleagues and I will push for as we proceed, because we want to see the fulsome address of our building regulations. <BR /> <BR />We will not support the amendment. We understand that the intention behind it is to enhance the safety and quality of buildings, but significant issues could be unintended.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for outlining the timeline. Will she elaborate on the budget that has been set aside for this process for the 2024-25 financial year?”
“Thank you, Minister, for bringing these regulations to the Floor. I support anything that can be done to streamline the service, protect victims of domestic violence and make sure that money gets to the right place for persons with care. <BR /> <BR />I know that my colleague Ciara Ferguson mentioned the fees, and that is what, with your indulgence, Minister, I want to bring up. Someone in my constituency who is in that situation brought this up with me: why should a victim of domestic violence have to pay a 4% fee to use the collect-and-pay service in order to safeguard their welfare and identity for the protection of their safety? I encourage the Minister to look into that specific collection fee for those who are experiencing or are a victim of domestic violence, because they should not have to pay a 4% fee to protect themselves.”
“How frequently will it be reviewed? We have talked about a five-year review, but is there any way of doing an interim review of the changes, given how volatile the market is at the moment? Are any safeguards included in the regulations to prevent potential unintended consequences, such as people not qualifying for another benefit if there is a knock-on effect from the increased allowance?”
“My party and others on the Communities Committee are genuinely frightened by the cliff edge that we will face in March 2025. I reiterate the Deputy Chairperson's call on the Minister to outline the plans to mitigate the cliff edge that we face. <BR /> <BR />I have a couple of questions about the regulations. Have any projections been done of the economic impact of the 10·1% increase in the benefit cap on the financial stability of households currently at the cap limit? Has the Department done any studies or had any engagements that support those projections? Given that the increase is tied to the consumer price index for the year ending September 2022, what mechanisms are in place to ensure that future adjustments to the benefit cap continue to accurately reflect changes in living costs? That is not what we see right now.”
“I thank the Minister for sitting through the very rigorous scrutiny of the pensions regulations. <BR /> <BR />A budget cap has been in place for some time. Welfare supplementary payments play such a crucial role in providing additional financial support for the individuals and families who are most in need and most vulnerable. The hope is that they can maintain a basic standard of living despite economic pressures, but, in recent years, we have seen that that objective is not being fulfilled. There are families who still struggle with the cost of living, the cost of food and the cost of heating their home. We see more and more families having to access food banks. The importance of the welfare supplementary payments cannot be overstated; it is a life-or-death situation for some families.”
“Yes. Sorry. <BR /> <BR />To conclude, I am clear about what side of the divide I want to be on, and I am clear about what side Jesus calls me to be on. That is the side that I am putting forward today.”
“The Church of England outlined, in its briefing on the topic, that any proposed legislation should focus on preventing coercive, abusive practice and that any restriction should specifically focus on coercive behaviour in pastoral care. <BR /> <BR />Again, let me reiterate this: we are not talking about interfering with people's right to practise their faith or their ability to engage in mutually agreed prayer conversations. Individuals should still be free to request non-coercive prayer if they wish to explore their sexuality or their gender identity. It is the coercive and abusive practices with a predetermined outcome of changing someone's identity that we want to see banned. <BR /> <BR />My party has consistently championed the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. In previous debates, we have highlighted —.”
“The aim of such interventions is explicit in its desire to change some element of the individual's identity that is assumed to be broken. Those who are vulnerable, at risk or under the age of 18 simply cannot give informed consent, consent being another key element. That is what sets such practices apart from the notions of praying for or praying with. There are so many testimonies from LGBTQIA+ people of faith about their desire to have the practice banned, as they cherish their faith and want to be able to practise it without fear. Given that it is that cohort to whom the practice poses the most detrimental risk, surely we should listen to and heed those people's calls.”
“<BR /> <BR />Many Christian denominations and religious leaders have publicly denounced conversion therapy and recognise it to be a harmful practice that contradicts the core tenets of love, compassion and respect for all individuals that exist in Christian faith. The aim of legislative involvement is not to undermine religious beliefs but to ensure that every individual, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, is protected from practices that have been widely condemned by medical, psychological and human rights organisations worldwide. <BR /> <BR />Conversion therapy encompasses a range of interventions aimed at changing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity to conform to heterosexual or cisnormative gender ideals.”
“I want to frame what I am about to say with an acknowledgement of the concerns that have been raised with me about freedom of religion. There are those who wish to propagate fear and division when it comes to the issue. The suggestion has been made that we wish to ban the practice of prayer and spiritual engagement, but that is simply not the case. That is a misrepresentation and a misunderstanding of what conversion therapy is. The examples that the Member for North Belfast gave — non-coercive conversations, prayer, spiritual guidance, teaching and counselling where consenting, non-vulnerable adults question their sexuality or gender identity — are not conversion therapy and should not be criminalised. That is not what is being referred to here, and that must be made clear.”
“Does the Minister agree that the Tories' Economic Activity of Public Bodies Bill would be disastrous for the development of social value policies and ethical procurement in the public sector?”
“<BR /> <BR />I agree with colleagues that, of course, we would love to be here looking at and scrutinising a more thorough piece of legislation that looks at building safety, but, given the shortness of this mandate, I would rather see this short Bill passed to achieve parity for residents in Northern Ireland than have nothing in place. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for Communities and his team in the Department, given that that is where the expertise lies, for taking this forward so quickly to try to achieve parity for all.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your input so far. I acknowledge that a most unusual set of circumstances has brought about the urgent need to address the disparity that is before us. For so long, the disparities in building standards and accountability have, as we have seen, left many residents in Northern Ireland very vulnerable. Our aim is to ensure that every individual and family in Northern Ireland can live in a home that is safe, secure and up to the standard enjoyed elsewhere in the UK. Whilst I am acutely aware of the difficulties of retrospective legislation, by bringing parity to the residents of Northern Ireland through this short Bill, the Minister and the House are reaffirming their dedication to equality and justice. We want to ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to the safety and integrity of their homes.”
“I welcome the Minister to his new role. In his children's social care services review, Professor Ray Jones put forward 53 recommendations. Some of those recommendations do not need significant resources or investment, particularly if those resources are pooled or used effectively as per the Children's Services Co-operation Act (Northern Ireland) 2015. Will the Minister direct the Department to implement those recommendations, or will he undertake another review?”
“Clause 9 of the Integrated Education Act 2022 states that the integrated education strategy action plan must include "targets" and "measurable benchmarks". Can we get a justification for why the Department has moved away from that and towards an outcomes-based approach instead?”
“Welcome back, Minister. Will you give us a timeline for the review of student support? When will it be completed, and when will recommendations be made?”
“In Ireland, early intervention programmes such as the Meitheal model have been shown to save substantial amounts by addressing issues before they escalate. Studies there have shown that early intervention can save up to €10,000 annually per child. <BR /> <BR />Whilst I support the Budget, it is important that we take the difficult decisions in the future to reform, change the way that government works and collaborate. I hope that we can commit to restructuring and making the changes necessary to ensure that our resources are used much more effectively for the betterment of all our people by the time we face our next Budget, which will hopefully be a multi-year one that is linked to a Programme for Government.”
“When Departments work together, they can create more effective and innovative solutions to address the complex needs of children and families. Integrated services are more accessible to families, reducing the burden of navigating multiple systems and ensuring that support is available when and where it is needed. <BR /> <BR />Ireland's Jigsaw initiative provides youth mental health services through pooled resources from various Departments and helps to prevent more severe mental health issues that require costlier interventions. Early and accessible mental health support can save the healthcare system a significant amount, with estimates suggesting savings of up to €5,000 per young person annually, by reducing hospitalisations and emergency care needs.”
“<BR /> <BR />Whilst I support the Budget, because we have no other sensible choice, I want to highlight how we could make the money work better for the people of Northern Ireland through resource pooling. It involves collaboration and the sharing of resources, such as personnel, technology, facilities and expertise, among Departments to achieve common objectives. That approach fosters a spirit of teamwork and cooperation, leading to substantial cost savings and improved service delivery. That is exactly what the Children's Services Co-operation Act 2015 intended, but I feel that it has not been utilised to its fullest. Resource pooling reduces duplication of effort and leverages economies of scale, leading to cost savings and a more efficient use of public funds. Collaborative efforts lead to better outcomes for children: we know that.”
“It is a concerning situation that urgently needs clarity from the Minister, because, as we know, the arts and culture sector is not a hobby or a nice add-on. It actively feeds into our health system — mental and physical health — our economy and our education system. <BR /> <BR />The best example that I can provide of the fact that the Budget does not link to a Programme for Government is the disconnect on issues relating to children. The responsibility for children falls between many Departments. When a situation requires the responsibility to push forward and drive a programme, it becomes difficult, in that it requires cross-departmental cooperation. If we had, as Mr Nesbitt pointed out, an outcomes-based Programme for Government linked to the Budget, we would see very different results.”
“That massively limits investment and long-term improvements. We are in a stop-start, short-term firefighting cycle. We are facing a cliff edge when it comes to welfare mitigations. Whilst we received what the Minister bid for, it will not be enough to look at offsetting the two-child limit by introducing the Better Start larger families payment, restoring the £20 uplift in universal credit or introducing additional support for carers through a carer's recognition grant, all of which are recommendations from Les Allamby's independent review of welfare mitigations. <BR /> <BR />It is really difficult to ascertain exactly what pressure will be put on the arts and culture sector by the Budget, because this year's allocations and past allocations are not outlined like for like. That is really concerning.”
“We are in a housing crisis, and money needs to be invested to ensure that everyone has a safe and secure place to live. The cost of temporary accommodation continues to rise, and the housing stock desperately needs to be maintained and made more energy-efficient through retrofitting to make sure that we meet our climate change obligations and people's health needs. Housing is at the core of our society. Having a stable tenure that is suitable for an individual's needs helps with mental and physical health and their ability to participate in society. Housing cuts across all Departments. We urgently need a housing supply strategy that addresses those key concerns. <BR /> <BR />There is a worrying downward trend in capital DEL over the past three years, with a substantial decrease this year.”
“My apologies, Mr Speaker, I was not expecting you to get to me. I will support the motion on the Budget. I do not think that we have much of an alternative. I would rather be agreeing a multi-year Budget that is linked to a Programme for Government. That would be preferable, and, absolutely, we would rather see that today. <BR /> <BR />Bear with me. I am so sorry, Mr Speaker. I was told that I was not on the list to speak. <BR /> <BR />When it comes to the impact of the Budget on the Department for Communities, put simply, there just is not enough in the pot. There is not enough to do all the things that we want to do to make people's lives better. The Department for Communities is the Department that most affects people's daily lives in Northern Ireland, and we need to get it right.”