Colin Crawford
North Antrim · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Like many in the House, I attended the peaceful protest in Harryville last night to show my support for and solidarity not only with the young girl who was sexually assaulted at the weekend but with other young girls and women from previous weeks. My thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with all victims.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, given the distress caused to vulnerable constituents by prolonged waiting times, will you commit to increasing the number of face-to-face assessments locally and improving communication with claimants throughout the process?”
“Yes, the law must be reviewed, and, where gaps exist, they should be addressed, but we must also tackle the root causes of risk through better infrastructure, awareness and cross-departmental cooperation.”
“That was very evident for all to see at the weekend when thousands of junior brethren marched through Lisburn with pride, discipline and dignity. Saturday's parade in Lisburn was a powerful testament to all that is good about our Orange family.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the Members opposite for bringing this important motion to the Floor and, indeed, all Members who have constructively added to the debate. <BR /> <BR />The safety of our children in travelling to and from school is something that rightly unites the House.”
“I extend my congratulations to the Junior Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland on its centenary parade, which was held on Saturday in the city of Lisburn. I declare an interest, as I currently hold the position of deputy grand master — a position that I hold with deep personal honour and high privilege.”
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“There were also very high rates of staff vacancies and overall increasing child protection workloads. <BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, young people, like others, were not always receiving the timely and quality support that they deserved. It was clear that something needed to be done. It was a case of either making changes or seeing services collapse, yet, for many of our young people, we simply cannot allow the safety net of children's social care services to fail. Sadly, the problems were not easing, and, crucially, demand was only continuing to grow. Professor Jones's review is a reliable and accurate benchmark against which we must measure future provision. <BR /> <BR />From looking at the final report, which was published last summer, it is clear to me that the review left no stone unturned.”
“Much of today's debate has been and will be informed by the work of Professor Jones. Once again, I put on record my thanks and that of my party for the passion and commitment that he and his team displayed in conducting the review. The review also greatly benefited from all the young people, parents and carers engaging and sharing their lived experiences. Those experiences — the positive and the not so positive — so powerfully added to the review's final report. <BR /> <BR />Professor Jones's report was comprehensive and far-reaching, but we should not have expected anything less, because, by late 2021, it was becoming clear that children's social care services were starting to reach crisis point. At the time that the review commenced, record numbers of children and young people were in care.”
“Winning the order is a testament to the trust and confidence that Wrightbus customers have in the company, and underscores the exceptional quality and innovation that Wrightbus consistently delivers. The major order is a win for not just Wrightbus; it is a win for everyone who believes in its vision and mission. The road to success is often filled with challenges but, with perseverance and teamwork, Wrightbus has triumphed. This achievement will not only enhance its reputation in the market but open doors to new opportunities, collaborations and growth. <BR /> <BR />Congratulations once again. The hard work has paid off, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Wrightbus.”
“I congratulate my former colleagues at Wrightbus on securing a landmark deal to supply more than 1,000 buses to the Go-Ahead Group over the next three years. The deal, which is the largest in the company's 78-year history, will see hundreds of Go-Ahead buses built each year, for the next three years, at Wrightbus' Ballymena headquarters. <BR /> <BR />It is a deal marked by the hard work and commitment that will, undoubtedly, shape the future of the recently named fastest-growing bus manufacturer in the UK. That accomplishment is not just a testament to Wrightbus' exceptional products and services but a reflection of the relentless determination and passion that each member of its workforce puts forth every day.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Given budgetary constraints, what additional steps does he plan to take beyond capital housing budget increases in order to expand housing options?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your answer. I agree that it is good news. Will the Minister provide an update on the GP fellowship scheme, please?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement to the House. He acknowledged that, in a better-structured network, some patients may have to travel further for their procedure. Following on from Deborah Erskine's question, can the Minister give a commitment that he and his Department will do all that they can to make the case for adequate provision of accessible and reliable public transport for patients who require it?”
“<BR /> <BR />As I said at the start, huge progress has been made in recent years, and those discussions are much more common than they were, but, of course, there is much more to be done.”
“Nevertheless, the strategy is explicit in including such outcomes as better resilience among children and young people; helping people to cope with mental wellness and, therefore, preventing mental ill health; and all children and young people receiving the care and treatment that they need, when they need it. <BR /> <BR />Another important outcome in the context of children's mental health is the commitment to deliver a longer-term improvement in CAMHS. Thankfully, some good progress has been made through the allocation of additional funding to assist with increasing capacity and enhancing the current provision. Of course, the Ulster Unionist Party is fully supportive of the necessity to increase CAMHS funding to 10% of adult mental health funding.”
“Mental health impacts young and old and everyone in between; it reaches across the full lifespan. As with so many issues, the earlier the problems are identified, the better the outcomes are for everyone, and it is better still if the problems are avoided. There is a mountain of evidence that supports the consideration of early intervention and preventative measures. That is why, when reading the 10-year mental health strategy, I very much welcome the clear focus on promoting the positive mental health of children and their families. <BR /> <BR />Whilst I am sure that we would all like to see the strategy receive the funding that it deserves, as well as the funding that was pledged by all political parties, it is important that we make sure that we use every penny in the best possible way.”
“Every opportunity to talk about mental health is welcome. That is especially the case today when we are considering the importance of good mental health among our children and young people. Mental health and well-being more generally is much better recognised and understood today than it was only a few years ago. As with many aspects of care, mental health and its impacts weigh heavily across many Departments. That is why it is so important that cross-departmental working is referenced in the motion. <BR /> <BR />Poor mental health can grip lives, test even the strongest of family relationships and destabilise and disrupt a young person's education, as well as being a major strain on our economic firepower. Indeed, on the latter point, the estimated cost of mental health in Northern Ireland is £3·4 billion.”
“I encourage the Competition and Markets Authority to intervene in order to provide recommendations on how ticket providers and music promoters could be held to higher standards when engaging in dynamic pricing.”
“It was reported that, once Oasis tickets had gone on sale, many fans had their hotel rooms in Dublin cancelled and prices tripled. <BR /> <BR />We in the Ulster Unionist Party understand the economic principles of supply and demand, which are totally different from charging extortionate prices in a way that is seen to be totally unfair. It is an unfair pressure for people who are booking tickets online, believing that they will be charged one price, to have a few moments to decide whether they would be prepared to potentially pay double. While always encouraging free markets, we must also be mindful of consumer protection, whether in Northern Ireland or in any other part of the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />We want live events ticketing to work in the best interests of Northern Ireland fans.”
“A concerned constituent recently reached out to me after she had planned to purchase tickets for the Oasis concert in Croke Park in Dublin. Knowing that the demand for tickets would go through the roof, she had tabs open on her phone and laptop, hoping to secure tickets. After waiting from 7.30 am in the virtual waiting room, she finally got through at 8.10 am to find that tickets that she had expected to cost around £150 on the basis of the presale price had risen to more than £330. With many households feeling a financial burden and, dare I say it, Christmas only a matter of weeks away, many will struggle to justify spending that amount of money on tickets. Additionally, people travelling long distances for concerts may have to factor in a hotel stay for the night.”
“Like many across the House, we welcome the motion and will support it. <BR /> <BR />As one of the new and recently elected MLAs for North Antrim, I look forward to working to promote our creative industries, including our music industries and all the other fantastic sectors that Northern Ireland promotes. This afternoon, I take the opportunity to focus on music ticketing and recognise the remarkable circumstances that have provoked the debate, some of which have been rumbling away for years. <BR /> <BR />Live events are important not only for Northern Ireland's economy but for the connection and sense of community and well-being that they bring. There is no doubt that, when performances by big artists like Taylor Swift and Oasis are announced, many people get excited and fear not getting tickets due to the demand.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. If and when she receives such commitments, will she commit to sharing the details with the Finance Committee as soon as possible?”
“Will the Minister update us on her Department's role as the responsible accounting body for city deals and on how she is ensuring effective governance?”
“The Ulster Unionist Party, as per its local government manifesto in 2023, committed to acting to ensure that public-sector organisations such as schools, hospitals and Departments paid their bills promptly in order to alleviate such stress. We must say clearly to government suppliers that they must pay their supply chain on time or face losing future government contracts. It is only right that we say to the public sector that it must lead by example and make sure that suppliers are paid on time. The difference between waiting 60 days and waiting 90 days can make or break many small companies, so it is vital that the private and public sectors work better in that regard. <BR /> <BR />I am pleased to support the motion on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party.”
“Although I am only 39 years old — I kid you not — and some may think me inexperienced, I assure the amazing constituents of North Antrim that I am 100% focused on and dedicated to representing them as their Ulster Unionist MLA, and I look forward to meeting as many of them as possible over the weeks and months to come. <BR /> <BR />Small to medium-sized enterprises are crucial to the Northern Ireland economy, They play a vital role in the supply chain of large manufacturers such as Wrightbus and are crucial to our voluntary and community sector. Late payment of invoices is a major source of unnecessary stress for those trying to operate such businesses. Late payment often causes a ripple effect down the supply chain, amplifying the problem.”
“I was born and raised in Harryville and want to make special mention of my two amazing parents, parents who have made countless sacrifices along the way to help shape the man I am today. I publicly thank my mum and dad, family and friends for all their continued encouragement and support, particularly over recent weeks. <BR /> <BR />Before coming to Stormont, I worked for Northern Ireland's foremost bus builder, Wrightbus. Prior to that, I worked for Firmus Energy, and I bring with me real-life experience of the voluntary and community sector.”
“As I give my maiden speech today, I do so with a mixture of excitement, fear and humility, as well as knocking knees and shaky hands. <BR /> <BR />First, I pay tribute to my predecessor, Mr Robin Swann MP. From being elected to this place in May 2011, Robin served the constituents of North Antrim consistently and with steadfast determination and loyalty. There is no doubt that I have big shoes to fill, or not so big. I wish Robin well as he takes up his new role in Westminster and wish him, his wife and his two kids God's richest and warmest blessings for the future. <BR /> <BR />Over the past few weeks, there have been many reports and much speculation about the new Ulster Unionist MLA for North Antrim. For those who do not know me, my name is Colin Crawford. I am a proud Ballymena man through and through.”