Peter Martin
North Down · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Minister, the Northern Ireland Audit Office report is very critical of your Department on the topic of flood risk. You have just read out some interventions that your Department has made. The report's most substantial criticism is that your Department cannot show that its activities to build flood risk defences:”
“It also seeks to rebalance a level of government control by removing certain powers that the Department currently holds, including direction and control over appointments to board positions. That supports the case for reclassification by ONS.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members were keen to hear directly from young people, who will probably be most affected by GDL, so we consulted the Youth Assembly. The Committee was impressed by the thoughtful and constructive nature of that engagement.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am confident that the Committee will be able to engage positively and work collaboratively with the Department to ensure that the Bill reflects the current areas where reform is required.”
“<BR /> <BR />Having considered all the evidence, the Committee ultimately concluded that it would not be appropriate to proceed until it was fully satisfied that the driving instructor sector believed that the proposed date of 1 October 2026, which the Minister referenced, was realistic and achievable.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, it is important to consider the proposal in the context of the wider legislative package that is required to bring GDL into operation, and the Minister referenced that. <BR /> <BR />At the outset, I make it clear that the Committee supports the principle of GDL.”
The complete record
Every one of 893 lines we hold for Peter Martin, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 10 of 18.
“Are you willing and able to outline what the strategy will achieve? The Committee may have a look at the matter. <BR /> <BR />There are definitely areas of compromise, and I agree with my colleague and others in the Chamber that the idea of one hour of free car parking is where we should land. We know that our high streets are under enormous pressure from internet shopping and, to a degree, out-of-town shopping. Whatever else we take away from this evening's debate, we have to listen to the traders in our town centres about how we can support them, but we also have to facilitate for them the best shopping experience that we can. We are all aware of the concept of shop local — sometimes it is #shoplocal — and that is important for towns such as Lisburn and Bangor.”
“I also have a question for the Minister. I am cognisant of the fact that she may not know the answer, so I am more than happy for her to get back to me in writing. Minister, last month, you signalled that a new parking enforcement contract was coming into effect. I quote:”
“Let us bear it in mind that local businesses are competing with large out-of-town shopping centres that offer free car parking. While the signs may say that it is four hours, it is for as long as people want it to be.”
“The impact of that is that it encourages people to come into the shopping areas to shop, which is what we all want. As has been reflected in the debate, keeping the traffic flowing through a town is incredibly important in helping to keep the high street open. There is a wide range of views, and Mr Honeyford reflected some of them. We have to be cognisant of the need, from a business perspective, to ensure that that throughput is maintained. If we transferred all that car parking and said, "You can park here for four hours, free", businesses would come back and say, "That's too long, because those spaces need to be freed up so that other people can come in and shop in the area".”
“I do not think that I will make that bar, Mr Deputy Speaker. <BR /> <BR />I am aware of the situation in Lisburn, and I will make some general comments around it. As I approached the debate, I learned that there were 240 on-street car parking spaces within the controlled zone that Mr McNulty referenced. I, too, have fallen victim to that — not in Lisburn, and certainly not in Newry, but in Bangor, where my office is located just across the way from an on-street car park. I have to admit that I have got a ticket, twice. The challenge for me was how I would manage to pay the fines without my wife finding out about them. I had to be expeditious in that regard. <BR /> <BR />We are incredibly fortunate in Bangor in that we have free parking in those areas. It does not affect our residents in the same way that it does in Newry or Lisburn.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am speaking in my capacity as a DUP MLA who leads on infrastructure. I have learned a lot from the debate this evening. I learned a lot about Lisburn and Newry, and I am worried that I will incur your wrath, Mr Deputy Speaker, if I use the word "Bangor" as much as my colleague across the way said "Newry". I will be cognisant of that.”
“Minister, you just mentioned the permanent secretary in the Department of Education. Can you speak a little bit further about his assessment of the Department's role in either organising the trip or any subsequent publicity about it?”
“While there is a clear expectation that the Committee Stage will conclude much earlier, the date of 3 July 2026 gives the Committee a sufficient safety net to allow for thorough scrutiny of all dimensions of the Bill, should deeper examination of some aspects be necessary. The Committee's call for evidence was also agreed. <BR /> <BR />I encourage everyone to reflect on their views on the Bill to enable the Committee to use the time available and to help to shape the Bill accordingly.”
“I wish to provide some reassurance about that date. The Committee fully intends to report comfortably in advance of that, if everything goes to plan. We are working to a timetable on that assumption, and we intend to give the Bill priority and to be efficient and effective in our approach. We hope also to have a ports Bill, as indicated in the Executive's legislative programme that I spoke about a couple of hours ago, as well as other business to conclude in the remainder of the mandate. It is often said that the end date is a limit, not a target — in fact, the Chair of my former Committee made that very comment in relation to another Bill. The Committee will work closely with the Department and with stakeholders to conclude the process robustly and efficiently.”
“Given the consultation's relevance to the Bill, the Committee considers it essential that sufficient time is factored into its scrutiny to allow for the consultation to conclude and for the Committee to consider any policy proposals made by the Department. That approach will provide the Committee with sufficient opportunity to examine such details and any proposed policy direction for the regulation-making powers arising from the consultation. Examining those aspects in tandem will help the Committee to consider the Department's response and assist with suggestions that will strengthen or enhance the Bill and, where necessary, to seek assurances from the sponsoring Department. <BR /> <BR />At its meeting on 1 October, the Committee agreed its timetable, which proposes that the Committee Stage be extended to 3 July 2026.”
“The Committee will be keen to ensure that the right balance is struck between supporting efficient delivery by the Department and ensuring credible oversight. <BR /> <BR />At its subsequent meetings on 24 September and 1 October, the Committee gave further consideration to the list of stakeholders who could provide valuable insight into the issues that the Bill seeks to address and how it will work in reality. In addition, the Committee considered an outline timetable for its scrutiny, having noted during oral evidence on 17 September that the Department was in the process of finalising a consultation on the use of SuDS in new housing developments, which will fall under powers proposed in the Bill if it is successfully enacted. That consultation is due to conclude on 19 December.”
“It forms part of the Infrastructure Minister's three-pronged approach to improve waste water infrastructure in Northern Ireland, and, therefore, it has a broader strategic reach into our communities. At recent meetings, the Committee has received procedural advice from the Bill Office and has considered its approach and with whom it might wish to engage during that key phase of scrutinising the legislative proposals. The Committee notes that many of the provisions give the Department with regulation-making powers. I am sure that the Committee will want to examine the scope and intended use of those powers when considering each element of the Bill. We want to ensure that the Assembly has sufficient understanding of the issues to support the appropriate scrutiny of the resulting delegated legislation.”
“At its meeting on 17 September, the Committee received oral evidence from departmental officials on key aspects of the Bill and noted that it seeks to amend and enhance existing legislation in the following areas: to decrease pollution in watercourses; to enhance our ability to withstand extreme weather events, particularly flooding and drought, through strengthened flood resilience; to encourage the use of sustainable draining systems, commonly known as SuDS, as a preferred method for managing surface water; and to improve water resource management through the introduction of more environmentally friendly solutions for managing water resources. <BR /> <BR />In essence, it is quite a small Bill, with 16 clauses, but its reach is quite wide, with measures that aim to support our resistance to the above events.”
“Thank you very much, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Apparently, there is a very important football game this evening, so I will try to keep my remarks to an hour. <BR /> <BR />As Members will be aware, the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill was formally referred to the Committee for Infrastructure for its scrutiny on 17 September. As I outlined at the Second Stage debate, the Committee undertook some pre-legislative scrutiny in April 2024 to examine the key areas that were being proposed by the Department prior to the Bill's formal introduction just before summer this year.”
“On a passing note, I also congratulate him for the School Uniforms Bill's passing at Final Stage.”
“that is provided to pupils, because it is unable to evaluate the outworking of the safeguarding arrangements. The Bill should take care of that. I also note the improvement in relationships between schools, the unions and ETI over the past number of years. <BR /> <BR />The second piece of legislation is the General Teaching Council Northern Ireland (GTCNI) reform Bill. I have some personal experience of that area from when I was in the Department. It will reconfigure the GTCNI, and it should not be contentious legislation. <BR /> <BR />Finally, the 16-18s in education and training Bill will provide learning for everyone in Northern Ireland all the way up to age 18. I warmly welcome all three of those Bills. I commend the Minister for bringing them forward.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will now make some brief comments on behalf of Education colleagues on the plan for the Department of Education's legislative programme. There are three pieces of legislation that the Department plans to bring forward, and I will deal with them briefly. First is the schools inspections Bill, which was a direct recommendation from the independent review of education in December 2023. It will bring this place in line with every other area in the United Kingdom and, for that matter, the Republic of Ireland. The impact of the situation as it stands is that 75% of school inspections in the past eight years have been impacted on by action short of strike, which is deeply concerning. In fact, an official said that that means that the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI):”
“For example, the Climate Change Act is proving particularly difficult. We are more than aware of the A5 judgement and the case surrounding that. I certainly remain concerned that, as it stands, that judgement and, in particular, the Climate Change Act, will not just affect the A5. The Committee knows that there are about £1 billion-worth of priority infrastructure projects in the pipeline, and some, if not all, of those could be negatively impacted on or wholly stalled in the future. To be fair, that is not particularly within the Infrastructure Minister's vires. Any alteration to climate targets lies with the AERA Minister to take action and bring that to the Executive. I remain concerned that, without significant change, major infrastructure in Northern Ireland could well be impacted on in the future.”
“We will scrutinise that when it comes before the Committee. Note should also be made that we have, at the moment, the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill, which we are scrutinising. We certainly hope to have that scrutiny finished by the summer recess. <BR /> <BR />The Department is facing a range of challenges. We have issues with miscommunication in our sewerage systems, and the current impact of that is a build-up of difficulty with new housebuilding. There is no legislation from DFI on that particular issue. Perhaps, to be fair, legislation may not be the issue, but it certainly lies with Northern Ireland Water and will be problematic if not solved in the future. <BR /> <BR />It is also worth reflecting on the impact of previous legislation, as was noted by my colleague.”
“I will make a few short points as the Chair of the Infrastructure Committee. DFI has brought forward one Bill on the legislative programme, which is the ports Bill. It is intended to provide new or additional powers to several harbours and trust ports. There were consultations on that in 2006, 2014 and 2024, which raised the issue of the reclassification of trust ports in Northern Ireland. The Committee has undertaken some pre-legislative scrutiny on the proposed legislation, from departmental briefings in October 2024 and September 2025 and also visited Belfast harbour in May of this year. The Committee looks forward to receiving the Bill and scrutinising it as appropriate. <BR /> <BR />I will say a few words as the DUP lead on infrastructure. As has already been noted, the Minister intends to bring forward the ports Bill.”
“Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, as far as I am aware, the question was relevant —.”
“Does the Justice Minister agree that prosecuting those who support proscribed terrorist organisations such as Palestine Action is important in a lawful democracy, or does she agree with the head of nations and regions at Amnesty International UK, Patrick Corrigan, who thinks that it is a pointless use of resources?”
“I therefore call on the Prime Minister to do more to protect this marginalised community, who live in such fear of attack that they need security guards to protect their schools and synagogues. I repeat that: they need security guards to protect their schools and synagogues, the elderly and children. That is standard for Jewish people living in Great Britain. I make it clear to any Jewish people listening that this party will always stand up for you and will always oppose the rise of antisemitism in this country. We will never abandon you. Shalom.”
“One of those groups organised a protest less than 12 hours after the attack on Thursday on the Manchester synagogue. During that protest, demonstrators clashed with police near Downing Street, and the 'Telegraph' reports that one gave a report that said:”
“I extend my thoughts and prayers to all the families who have lost loved ones. May their memory be a blessing. I have spoken to a couple of Jewish friends who live in Great Britain, and they are fearful but stoic about the situation that they face. They reflect that, given the marches over the last number of years and the increased hatred that they have faced, this is hardly surprising. <BR /> <BR />I was in the synagogue earlier in the year and, at that point, the fear among Jewish folk living in Northern Ireland was already tangible. However, when you speak more widely to Jewish people — this is in complete contrast to what was said by Mr Carroll — they tell you that the threat that they face in the UK now is exclusively from the far left and Islamist groups. That comes directly from Jewish people.”
“First, I condemn the attack that resulted in such dreadful loss of life at the Manchester synagogue, which, as others have said, happened on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, I note that you mentioned sports clubs in your statement. At this point, I should thank you for coming to my constituency to see Bangor Swifts Juniors in training. What funding can sports clubs apply for under the fund?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. What does the research tell us about current literacy outcomes?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. One of my younger constituents, Charlie Wall, has been selected to represent Toxic Hockey in the under-12s inline hockey event in Barcelona. Charlie is the only person from Northern Ireland to have been selected. In-line hockey is not recognised by Sport NI, and Charlie's participation is entirely self-funded. Will the Minister look at that case for me?”
“I was incredulous in trying to understand that. It is therefore very disappointing that Minister Long replied to me that she has no plans to include new guidance on the granting of bail in her sentencing Bill. I believe that to be a significant missed opportunity to provide Jaidyn's family with a positive, legal legacy from the tragic circumstances of her death. It is, unfortunately, an opportunity that the Justice Minister will not take.”
“A man has been charged with causing death through dangerous driving, causing death whilst driving without a licence and causing death whilst driving without insurance. Few of us in the Chamber, I hope, will ever know the pain that that family has gone through in losing a child. My thoughts remain with them at this time. It is now up to others to honour her legacy and remember her through our actions. <BR /> <BR />The astounding facts are that the accused in Jaidyn's case was already on bail for other driving offences. He did not even have a licence, but he took a car, and police believe that they can connect him to the circumstances of the night of 8 July. I wrote to the Alliance Justice Minister recently about Jaidyn's case, specifically regarding the man charged being released on bail, which was very hurtful for the families.”
“Her brother described her as "brave and amazing" and said:”
“During recess, on 8 July, Jaidyn Rice, a 16-year-old girl, was killed on the West Circular Road in Bangor. Jaidyn had just finished her GCSEs and was looking forward to going back to school to complete her A levels. She was an active member of the army cadets, where she excelled in first aid, and was considering a future in the army or community work. She was also an active youth leader with the development, integration, citizenship, education (DICE) futures project in Bangor, where she helped young girls and boys from the local area. I know that all those involved in the DICE futures project and the wider North Down Community Network are still very much coming to terms with her loss. <BR /> <BR />Her mum, Elaine, described her daughter very tenderly:”
“Are you sure? That is very kind. Thank you.”
“Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, I was going to speak about a young girl who died during the summer, so I would prefer to wait.”
“I thank the Member for taking an intervention. Does he have any insight into why the AERA Minister did not provide any evidence to the court when Mr Justice McAlinden was considering his A5 judgement? That is the Minister's responsibility.”
“I thank the Member for that. Does he agree that it is astounding that a senior judge stated that, prior to DFI's making its decision, DAERA had provided it with no form of evidence or evidence-based assurance around that issue? I raise the matter with the Member because he is on the Agriculture Committee. Does he agree that that is, frankly, astounding when it relates to evidence as part of a High Court judgement?”
“Will she bear that statement in mind as she answers some of my questions this afternoon? Will she commit now to supporting revised climate change targets to ensure that that project and other future major infrastructure projects are not failed or stalled? Will she explain what the adding of DAERA to the appeal case seeks to achieve and what conversations she has had with the AERA Minister regarding that? If the appeal is lost, what is her plan B for ensuring safety on the A5? Finally, how will she compensate those landowners who continue to be in limbo regarding the scheme? <BR /> <BR />I commend our amendment to the House.”
“Just 10 minutes? I had better get my skates on. <BR /> <BR />The Infrastructure Minister stated:”
“Thank you very much. The Member and I will have to agree to disagree on that one, but I always welcome his comments. <BR /> <BR />In summary, the project seems to be in disarray politically, strategically and financially. As I said when opening my contribution, I do not believe, if I am honest, that it is by any stretch the sole responsibility of the Infrastructure Minister. I criticised her and pointed out where the failings are, but others who placed on the Assembly the targets that will be so problematic to this project and further infrastructure projects must bear some responsibility for that. <BR /> <BR />Do I get another minute, Mr Deputy Speaker?”
“I hope that that, in part, answers the Member's last question.”
“I thank the Member for West Tyrone for his intervention. My understanding — I will take the Member at his word — was that there did not seem to be any offsetting or coordination between the two Departments on how the impact of the road's being built would be offset in terms of climate change. That is certainly my understanding. <BR /> <BR />Will those parties now agree that a more realistic and pragmatic approach is needed to balance real environmental challenges with economic realities? I will quote directly from Mr Justice McAlinden's High Court judgement. He said that the climate change action plan, which is the responsibility of the AERA Minister, does not make any reference whatsoever to:”
“Take a step back from that and ask this: why? It is for two reasons. One is the real lack of coordination between DAERA and DFI, and the second is the climate change targets that we have set ourselves. Whether it is DFI or DAERA, those climate change targets are now a significant problem for the Executive and for Northern Ireland.”
“In the interim, while awaiting the appeal, the Infrastructure Minister must look at further road safety measures, such as average speed cameras and speed reduction measures. It is time for action on that, not delay. Work must be taken forward to prevent any further loss of life. <BR /> <BR />It is not for us to answer some of the questions about the matter. Rather, it is for the parties that, in 2022, put those extraordinary climate change targets on the House. I have outlined, and people might take a different view on this, the reasons why the A5 is not proceeding. We have heard two reasons already this afternoon in the Chamber. As I read through this information, it was completely clear to me that the reason why the A5 is not proceeding is because Mr Justice McAlinden said that it could not proceed in its current form.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I was not party to that information. However, the point that I made still stands in that the judge was scathing about the lack of coordination between those two Departments and especially about the AERA Minister because of the lack of support that DFI had. <BR /> <BR />Our amendment seeks to do three things. First, it seeks to amend net zero targets so that critical infrastructure can continue to be built in Northern Ireland. Secondly, it seeks to ensure that all landowners who are affected by the scheme are provided with appropriate compensation by the Minister of Finance. Thirdly, it seeks to ensure that that stretch of road, notwithstanding whether the A5 is built — that is currently subject to appeal — is safe for road users and pedestrians alike.”
“That is, frankly, a baffling lack of coordination between those two Departments, and, if I have time, I will come back to that point.”
“Frankly, that is astounding. While it remains clear to me that the Minister for Infrastructure must take ultimate responsibility, it seems to me that, while that Minister was drowning, the AERA Minister took a life jacket out of the cupboard but did not throw it into the water.”
“<BR /> <BR />The outcome of the proceedings has caused a level of turmoil for those who wish to see the A5 upgrade proceed and a level of uncertainty for landowners and farmers whose livelihoods have been placed in limbo for well over a decade. The A5 scheme, regardless of whether Members think that it should happen, is now completely stalled and not because of Mr Justice McAlinden's judgement. He applied the law, which is his role. He applied the strictures of the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, which was, in fact, a compromise position instead of having even more stringent targets, which, at the time, were supported by Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Alliance Party and the Green Party. <BR /> <BR />It is worth highlighting aspects of Mr Justice McAlinden's judgement. At paragraph 200, he states:”
“Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. First, like others, I extend my sympathies to all the families who have lost loved ones along the A5. A total of 50 people have lost their lives since the upgrade of the 58-mile stretch of road between Aughnacloy and New Buildings was first scheduled to begin. None of us in the Chamber will ever be able to empathise with the pain that those families have gone through, but our thoughts remain with them. <BR /> <BR />The £1·7 billion project was given authorisation last October to proceed. It was then subject to judicial review. In June, a court found that the Minister's plans for the road did not comply with climate change targets. I intend to start with that judgement.”
“and would send a clear message to Israel. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, I categorically state that the decision by the Labour Government is appalling, but I also reflect that this is a Labour Government to whom the TUV wants to hand complete power and authority in Northern Ireland for the next four years. A sensible move for unionists? Perhaps it is turkeys voting for Christmas.”