Cheryl Brownlee
East Antrim · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I want to recognise three outstanding East Antrim candidates for this year's BBC 'Make a Difference' awards. Their passion, dedication and commitment has made a lasting impact on East Antrim.”
“Individuals such as Iris often work quietly behind the scenes and give their time and energy without seeking any recognition. Iris has become the backbone of community life. Her nomination reflects the esteem in which she is held in Islandmagee, where everybody loves her.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. We have over 17,000 children and over 4,000 adults on the waiting list. They are waiting for up to six years for an assessment. <BR /> <BR />Minister, in the delivery plan, there are no measurable targets to reduce those waiting times.”
“It showcases everything that is best about Carrickfergus and beyond, from the magnificent historical re-enactment to the participation of over 40 marching bands, Orange lodges, children's entertainers, pipers, Highland dancers, Lambeg drummers, community groups, living history performers, volunteers and many more.”
“I recognise the outstanding success of the Royal Landing celebrations held in Carrickfergus on Saturday. Once again, thousands of people lined the streets of our historic town to witness what can only be described as a spectacular re-enactment of one of the most important moments in Ulster's history: the landing of King William III at Car…”
“They overlook the volunteer time, the hours that are taken to preserve our history, the young people who spend their evenings participating in bands and cultural organisations and the thousands who attend with pride and enthusiasm.”
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“Hopefully, you will give me a bit of latitude, Mr Deputy Speaker, because I do not get to make a winding-up speech.”
“It would also show that the Royal not only treats children's bodies but cares for their minds and their wee hearts. <BR /> <BR />Our children did not choose to experience the world differently. They do not ask for more; they ask only for enough. Their needs are different, but they are not lesser. Every child deserves to feel safe, even in an emergency.”
“Parents delay bringing their child to A&E, terrified of what the experience will do to them. Alternatively, they go to A&E but leave before being seen, because the stress becomes too much. That is not equality or accessibility; it is just fear. <BR /> <BR />No family should have to choose between their child's medical needs and their emotional safety. We are not asking for a luxury or for a playroom but for understanding. We ask that our children who experience the world differently will be given the same right to care, safety and dignity as any other child. A sensory room would mean a calmer, safer and more inclusive A&E for patients, parents and staff alike. It would help turn that chaos into calm and that panic into peace.”
“I was not going to talk about my experience, but at home we put off going to A&E with my son. We were worried about the stress that it would cause him and the stress that, we knew, we would be walking into, but we went. He was in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). That was when we found out that he had diabetes. If I had left that, he would have died. It is about those moments — those hours and minutes. If, for a second, parents think, "I am not going to go, because of that stress", it could be critical, so it is a case of invest to save and save lives. <BR /> <BR />If there is no room for a permanent space now, we have to start with something mobile — a pod or a modular sensory unit — that is close by. It is important that we act. The truth is that, when we do not make space for those children, families stop coming.”
“I thank the Member for the intervention. He makes a very valid point, which I will get on to slightly later. Many parents are put off going to A&E, because of the stress that it will cause to the child, to them and to the people around them. They do not go, and the child's condition can get worse.”
“<BR /> <BR />At the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children — a hospital that serves the most complex and vulnerable children from across Northern Ireland — there is still no sensory room in A&E. Every year, around 34,000 children pass through that department, and many of them have additional needs. Many are autistic, and many have known sensory challenges. Yet, in their moment of crisis, there is no space that is safe and quiet for them to go to. I know that the trust has huge pressures. Space is limited, budgets are stretched and staff are exhausted, but I have seen it myself. I have been there. I have sat in the corridors with my child and have seen how impossible it can be even to find that moment of calm.”
“At Altnagelvin Area Hospital, a triage room was transformed into a beautiful sensory space with colour-changing lights, comfy chairs and calming sounds. Staff say that it has changed everything, allowing patients with learning disabilities to receive care in peace. In the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen, a sensory room project won a national award for "Low Cost High Impact", which proves that it is not about money or luxury; it is about compassion, inclusion and creative thinking. My colleague Deborah Erskine is probably watching. When she talks about regional balance, I am very jealous of the services in her area, although they are absolutely credible and fully deserved.”
“<BR /> <BR />That is why we are asking for something so simple, yet so transformative: a sensory room — a small, calm space within or near the A&E department; a space with soft lighting, comfortable seating and gentle sounds; somewhere a child can breathe; and somewhere they can regulate before they unravel. It is not a "nice to have"; it is a reasonable adjustment and a necessary step to make emergency care accessible to children who experience the world differently. <BR /> <BR />The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 makes it clear that public services must make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities. It is to be done not as an afterthought when a crisis hits but proactively. Other hospitals across Northern Ireland have already shown what is possible.”
“The lights are too bright, the alarms are too loud, the crowds are too close, and the waiting is too long. When their senses become overwhelmed and that invisible bucket finally overflows, there is nothing that anyone can do but wait. That is when you see the flailing, the crying, the biting and the panic that takes over their little bodies. It is not a tantrum. It is not bad behaviour. It is just distress. It is a child's nervous system screaming, "I just cannot cope anymore". That distress does not just affect them; it ripples through the entire waiting room. It affects the parents who are holding back tears, terrified that people are judging them. It affects the staff who want to help but have nowhere calm to take the child, and it affects every person in that place.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. It is a real privilege to bring today's Adjournment debate to the Floor. I pay full tribute to Erin McAllister. She is here with us today and is the founder of the Northern Ireland Community for Parents/Carers of Children with Complex Needs group. The group has been driving a petition, which has been signed by over 1,000 people in Northern Ireland. It was Erin's lived experience, determination and passion that have brought the topic to the Floor today, and she should be incredibly proud. <BR /> <BR />Most of us will agree that no one likes going to A&E. It is stressful, noisy and unpredictable, but, for most people, it is manageable. However, for a child with sensory processing difficulties, autism, ADHD or a learning disability, it is not just stressful; it is impossible.”
“Thank you. I totally agree. It is incumbent on all Ministers to realise the importance of the veterans community and the disadvantage that veterans experience. Some people do not realise what it is like to come back from serving, how difficult it is and what the challenges are. I have learned so much from my engagement, and I want to see what more we can do and find out more about the challenges that veterans face. It is about all of us opening our eyes to the challenges and barriers that veterans face that we may not even have realised were there. <BR /> <BR />We owe veterans so much. It is high time that we all stepped up to recognise not just their sacrifice but their continued contribution to society. The issue deserves so much more than gratitude; it demands commitment from us all.”
“We should always be looking for better ways to protect those who have sacrificed so much to protect us and our freedoms. It will never again be possible for any Minister to wrongly claim that the armed forces covenant does not apply in Northern Ireland. There is a clear legal duty on our Departments that cannot be ignored. I am immensely proud of our servicemen and servicewomen and our veterans. All of us on the Benches on this side of the House will continue to ensure that we support them in every way we can.”
“I was delighted with the response that I received recently from our Minister of Education on the topic in which he detailed the additional funding for schools, including for transport and to ensure that children of service personnel are not discriminated against in the admissions process, and the fact that they are working closely with the children's education support officer for Northern Ireland, who looks after the children of service personnel in Northern Ireland on education matters. I thank the Minister for his work in that field and for recognising how important it is. He has instructed his officials to undertake a review of current practices in order to identify opportunities for further enhancement.”
“It was fantastic to see so many of our local businesses recognising and supporting our veterans and utilising their transferable skills. Both my colleagues mentioned the strategic defence review, as well as the jobs that the defence sectors across the UK create and the benefits of that for the economy. <BR /> <BR />We have mentioned here today the duty that is placed on public authorities in Northern Ireland to give due regard to the unique circumstances facing our service personnel in housing, education and healthcare.”
“It is not equal, and it is not fair. No one should ever be disadvantaged because of their postcode. <BR /> <BR />The transition from life in uniform to civvy street is significant and can be fraught with uncertainty and challenge. We have heard about the high suicide rates. We have heard about addiction. We have heard about the struggle to gain a house and stay in it. I have spoken to veterans who have found a property but cannot stay there. They are not used to it, because it is not the environment in which they grew up and lived for so long. It is incredibly difficult for them, and they need additional support. <BR /> <BR />Only a few weeks ago, I was honoured to attend the Northern Irish Veterans Awards.”
“<BR /> <BR />In my consistency of East Antrim, we have some incredible individuals and organisations that work tirelessly to support our veterans and armed forces community, such as the Royal British Legion, the UDR veterans association and the cadets association, to name just a few. There are so many incredible organisations throughout Northern Ireland, and it is a pleasure to work with them. I thank them so much for the work that they do. <BR /> <BR />Veterans' champions have been appointed across a number of councils and are heavily involved in supporting our military service personnel through practical support and events such as veterans' breakfasts and social gatherings, as well as signposting them to support and advice. However, as has just been highlighted, the problem is that that is not happening across the board.”
“Northern Ireland has a long and proud history and an affinity with the armed forces. It is poignant that we debate today's motion during a time of national remembrance. Every one of us in the Chamber today and across Northern Ireland benefits from the immense sacrifices made by so many veterans and serving armed forces personnel. Of course, it is incumbent on us all to ensure that those who have sacrificed so much are supported. The DUP has always been clear about its strong support for our veterans and armed forces. We secured and worked on the creation of the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland and the progression of legislation on the armed forces covenant through the New Decade, New Approach agreement.”
“Minister, parents and carers are really struggling. One of the main barriers that I hear about is access to support and access to direct payments. Can you provide an update on how that is progressing?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. My constituency colleague just mentioned the planning decision taken by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. There was overwhelming concern from the community about that decision. Minister, how are communities' feelings and concerns about HMOs being taken into consideration, particularly in sensitive areas where residents are extremely concerned about how that will change their future?”
“Minister, your plan indicates that 258 additional beds can be opened in an emergency. However, given staff shortages, and the pressures that nurses are already under in overcrowded wards, how do you propose to staff those beds?”
“I very much welcome the fact that the pilot will take place in Larne, which is in my East Antrim constituency. Will the Minister provide some more detail on the scheme and what it will mean for local people?”
“I appreciate that, and I know that you are only a part-funder of the scheme, but what really concerns me is access to funds, particularly in rural areas. Anything that you can do to promote the scheme and to encourage as many people in East Antrim to apply to it will be much appreciated.”
“I thank the Minister. Sea swimming is incredibly popular in the likes of Fisherman's Quay. We have a triathlon, sea swimmers, sea dippers and everything in between. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council nominated Fisherman's Quay, but the Department turned it down. Areas such as Carrickfergus are being left behind in that regard. What more can the Minister and the Department do to ensure that that area is included and safe for everyone to use?”
“It is not ideal, but it is safe and provides the high level of 24/7 care that is needed. One of the things about postpartum psychosis is that parents do not sleep, and they need constant medical supervision to keep themselves and their baby safe. <BR /> <BR />I thank everyone who has spoken today. The lived experience of mothers from across Northern Ireland shows that they need the support of a dedicated mother-and-baby unit. We should not be discussing the issue in 2025. I fully support the motion.”
“Cara drew attention to the need for clear records and data, which is needed not just in the Department of Health but throughout the government of Northern Ireland. We need clear data and records moving forward. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Minister's raw honesty. He came to the Chamber today having experienced that in his life, and he will obviously understand the genuine need and the passion of us all. We understand the budgetary concerns, but, in some cases, it is a matter of life and death to ensure that parents and their babies have the right facilities in Northern Ireland. There was a discussion about clinical advice, and I am not on the Committee, but it would be good to touch base to ensure that that information is provided to it. The interim unit in south Wales was discussed.”
“<BR /> <BR />Robbie touched on the amazing work of campaigners. When I was pregnant during COVID, the 'Have you seen that girl?' movement was something that I constantly looked at on social media. It helped me during that time to understand that what I felt was common, other parents were going through it, and there was support there. Women who have come out and given their lived experience is critical for all of us in moving forward and making sure that we do the right things. <BR /> <BR />Sian said that motherhood is a fantastic time and a joyous time, but we also have to make sure there are kinder and safer facilities. It is those small practical things that we can do, without massive costs, to make the experience a lot better for parents.”
“The inability to have those simple things is just horrific, and no mother should ever have to go through that at their most vulnerable time. <BR /> <BR />My colleague Alan Robinson raised the lifelong trauma and guilt of being separated from your baby. Research has shown that mothers and babies who are kept together through those times have a much better recovery rate. We all agree that that needs to happen. It is not an "if", a "maybe" or a "but": it needs to happen now. He also noted the very tragic death of Orlaith Quinn, who sadly took her life while experiencing postpartum psychosis. The coroner is calling for the mother-and-baby unit urgently. Alan also talked about the success of the regional perinatal mental health service, the amazing work that has happened and how we need to get it right and ensure that it is safe.”
“<BR /> <BR />Today, one thing that has hit me the most is the horrific thought that any mother would be separated from their baby and not know when they would be reunited. I cannot imagine anything worse. In this day and age, as my colleague said, our mothers, babies, fathers and families deserve so much more than that. The fact that Northern Ireland is the only region in the UK without a unit is simply unacceptable. <BR /> <BR />Many very good points were made in the debate, and I will touch on a few of them. Órlaithí detailed the experience of mothers being removed from their baby and having to choose between stopping breastfeeding or pumping, even being placed beside a smoking area and not being able to wash or get a bath.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I commend every Member who has spoken in the debate. It is a such a serious and emotional topic for us all, and I feel that there is real, genuine compassion. <BR /> <BR />Speaking freely today about perinatal mental health is critical. For all mothers, the birth of their baby is meant to be the best day of their life, but, sadly, the reality and the statistics show that one in five women will have mental health problems during pregnancy and, for five out of 100, that will be very serious. It is important to say that birth is not easy. For many of us, it does not really work out the way that we have dreamed about or how we have seen it in the movies or on social media. When that happens, the right support needs to be there for women and their babies at the most vulnerable time of their life.”
“Thank you, Minister. It is fantastic that you have brought the matter to the House today. You touched on barriers. Accessible transport is a huge barrier to people getting into and staying in work. At this stage, what communication has your Department had with other Departments to ensure that community transport is accessible and inclusive for all?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. Beyond addressing the immediate and serious security concerns, what steps can be taken to promote a greater understanding of and respect for our Jewish community in Northern Ireland?”
“I am delighted to see more delivery for our grassroots organisations, but, Minister, I understand that the funding will be paid out retrospectively. How will the Department address the worries of smaller organisations, which may struggle with cash flow if they have to pay up front?”
“We really need to get a grip on that. It is not just about what we are discussing in the motion; we need quality data across everything that we are discussing, and we need a timetable and transparency as we move forward. We have discussed the figure of 19,000 young people who are not in education, employment or training. That is not just a societal problem but a crisis. <BR /> <BR />I will finish with this: I was given the opportunity of an internship, and I think that it is absolutely critical that we support our young people with internships and apprenticeships and that we value every single skill that is available and that we help them to ensure that Northern Ireland continues to lead the way.”
“Children with autism have incredible strengths in pattern recognition, attention to detail, logical reasoning and other skills for which many employers are crying out. Those are skills that employers need. I have looked at companies, such as Microsoft and JPMorganChase in America, that have built autism-at-work programmes, not just because it is the right thing to do but because they have seen employees with autism outperforming their peers. We should lead on that and tap into that incredible talent, and give businesses the tools and confidence to do the same. It is also about a mindset shift: it is not an add-on or an addition but an incredible skill that we already have in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The Committee also recommended that the Department establish a data-sharing agreement, and we have discussed data today.”
“I am aware of that and tell everyone whom I speak to how amazing it is, but how do we get the message out? I have seen billboards and social media advertisements, but how do we target it so that everybody has access to that incredible resource that Northern Ireland offers? <BR /> <BR />I am really pleased that special educational needs and disabilities were mentioned at the start of the debate. One of the figures that we looked at in the Committee's work was the number of young people with SEN who are not in education, employment or training, which is almost five times higher than the figure for the general population. Too often, the voice of those young people is forgotten in debates like this. I am really glad that, today, it has not been forgotten and that we are talking about them. There is enormous talent within that community.”
“After the discussion with the Youth Assembly, we sat down as a Committee and talked. We could not clearly define the skills that Northern Ireland needs to thrive. That was a real wake-up call for us all. Regardless of how many strategies that we have or action plans that we write, the simple question is this: how do we communicate what skills are needed to build our future here and for Northern Ireland to thrive? <BR /> <BR />I have been a huge advocate of the Skill Up programme. I took part in the women in leadership course. I was provided with professional coaching. I would not have been able to access that otherwise. I was shocked at what courses are available, the level of those courses and the fact that they are all free and accessible for everyone.”
“One of the things that really stuck out for me was the fact that the young people did not know what skills the Northern Ireland economy needs, and that the careers advice that they receive, whilst it is clearly well intentioned, is inconsistent across the region. Whilst some schools offer really good careers advice, we saw that others really lack the capacity and resources to do that. That will have a massive impact on the economy further down the line, and especially on those young people. <BR /> <BR />We also discovered that there is a clear mismatch between supply and demand, with many young people applying for courses that are already oversaturated whilst the critical skills areas, where jobs are waiting, remain short of applicants. Another really clear takeaway struck me.”
“I am delighted to speak on the motion. Whilst I am not a member of the Committee for the Economy, the Public Accounts Committee discussed the issue and had an inquiry. It was extremely interesting. Recently, we got the memoranda of reply (MOR), which was also very interesting. <BR /> <BR />Obviously, we really want to build a thriving society in Northern Ireland. Addressing the skills gap for our young people and businesses is, of course, at the heart of that. We have had significant investment into Northern Ireland. Despite that, opportunities continue to be missed. The skills gap remains wide and, in many cases, is not closing. As part of the Public Accounts Committee inquiry into skills, we heard very powerful and concerning evidence from the Youth Assembly.”
“I welcome the fact that we are discussing this today, and I hope that it is only the beginning. Women in Northern Ireland have waited long enough.”
“<BR /> <BR />That failure is not only a personal cost; it has wider economic consequences. Women are missing school, university and work. Many are forced to reduce hours or leave employment entirely, and the financial barrier to private healthcare creates inequalities in who gets heard and who does not. I really welcome the beginning of the real conversations about how we can educate people — medical professionals and our communities — about the conditions. My constituent is eager to meet and discuss how she can create a model of practice and a framework that can guide how health is treated in both education and healthcare, because no woman should be told, "You are too fat for treatment", no woman should ever be told that she cannot have surgery because she is not married, and no woman should have to beg to be believed about her pain.”
“<BR /> <BR />Sophie is not standing alone. She is sharing her story and has built a community of women across Northern Ireland who have gone through exactly the same thing. They have been dismissed, ignored, told that they were overreacting and even told that it was anxiety or depression and to get therapy instead of receiving real medical care. Many have waited six, eight or even 10 years for that diagnosis. Minister, we all feel that that is unacceptable. Women and girls in Northern Ireland deserve better. They deserve access to timely, accurate information about their bodies. They deserve medical staff who understand their conditions and do not treat pain as an exaggeration or a nuisance. They deserve care that is based on need, not weight, status or stereotypes.”
“She tried everything to be taken seriously, including weight-loss injections. She lost four and a half stone, went back to the same doctor and was still turned away. She was offered the pill and sent out the door. She saved again to go back to her original private doctor and begged for investigative surgery, because she feared that she had endometriosis. The doctor was not convinced, but, to give her peace of mind, he agreed. She had surgery, and the surgeon confirmed that she had been right all along. Her endometriosis was extensive and aggressive. It was so severe, in fact, that her internal organs were fusing together. She went through years of pain and years of being dismissed and gaslit by a system that should have helped her. That was not a failure of communication; it was a failure of care.”
“In 2021, after scraping together enough money to go private, she was finally diagnosed with PCOS, but, by then, the pain had worsened. Year after year, she ended up presenting at A&E multiple times in agony, but she was met with comments like, "Is it just a bad period?", or, "Have you tried a hot-water bottle or a warm bath?". She was truly heartbroken and felt that there was nowhere else to turn. <BR /> <BR />After her diagnosis, a consultant suggested further investigation, but, frankly, she just could not afford it. When she finally got private healthcare through her job, she was told by a doctor that she would not be considered for treatment — quote — "while you are this obese". That beautiful girl was 12 stone. At her most desperate, she asked to have her ovaries removed and was told no, because she was not married.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on such a deeply important issue: how the lived experience of women and girls in Northern Ireland who are suffering with reproductive health conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis is being routinely dismissed and neglected. <BR /> <BR />Today, I want to tell a story about one of my constituents, Sophie, who has gone through years of physical pain, emotional distress and institutional failure. Sophie is one of many, but we know that her words speak for thousands. From the age of 18, she knew that something was not right. She was dealing with irregular periods, painful periods and extremely heavy periods. She went to her GP again and again asking for answers, only to be told that she was on a waiting list, but she then found out that she had never been referred.”
“I really do not think that the farmers will find Members' laughter to be a very good response to the topic. <BR /> <BR />Over the weekend, the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) expressed its frustration about misinformation on how the NAP group has been working with no chairman or terms of reference. Will the Minister be clear about the status of the group and apologise to the stakeholders involved?”
“Will the Minister provide a timescale for the establishment of a dedicated co-design group to develop support measures for the sheep sector? Does he have adequate resources in his Department to progress that work?”
“The Ulster covenant remains a symbol of loyalty, resistance and unity. It is a reminder of the sacrifices that were made to preserve our place in the United Kingdom. Even in today's political climate, it serves as a historical anchor that reminds us of the enduring values of democracy, sovereignty and constitutional integrity that we in this party will continue to uphold.”
“In Carrickfergus, I give a special mention to Carrickfergus Historical Re-enactment Group and the Ulster Grenadiers Flute Band, whose efforts ensured a packed day of family fun and historical, educational activities, including a live re-enactment of the signing and a 1912 tea party and parade through the town on Saturday evening. Despite the horrific weather, the crowds were out in numbers to enjoy the events, and it was great to have our party's deputy leader, Michelle McIlveen, and East Belfast MLA David Brooks in Carrickfergus for the occasion. <BR /> <BR />While we commemorate the events of over a century ago, the underlying principle remains the same, and the unionist community of Northern Ireland remains as loyal to the Union and as firmly opposed to Dublin rule as we were in 1912.”
“This past weekend, we celebrated Ulster Day, commemorating 28 September 1912, when almost half a million men and women took an oath opposing an all-Ireland Parliament by signing the Ulster covenant. Ulster Day is a foundational event in the history of Northern Ireland's unionism, symbolising the collective will of so many people to remain part of our United Kingdom. It was fantastic to see so many community events and parades right across Northern Ireland this weekend to commemorate the milestone event in our history. <BR /> <BR />My constituency of East Antrim put on a wonderful show.”
“The travel fund was welcomed by the marching band sector. Minister, can you assure us that it will be a rolling programme that will allow bands the time to plan for their travels?”