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.”
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“Minister, will you continue to provide detailed oversight of the ongoing delivery of that major capital programme over the next number of years? Will you continue to look at the issues as they arise? I thank the Minister for his commitment to making the project happen.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. I agree that only biological women should compete with each other in female sporting codes. Will he commit to writing to the sporting bodies that his Department funds to make them aware of the Supreme Court judgement and ask for a response from them?”
“Every school in North Down strives for excellence, and it is great that we have a publication such as 'Local Women Magazine' that recognises and acknowledges that.”
“For me, there is a very local element to the awards: one school in my constituency, Glenlola Collegiate, had five teachers nominated, and one received an award. A shout out to Mrs Graham, Mrs Patterson and Mr Spence, who were nominated as best teacher in post-primary; Mr Barr was nominated as best teacher — rising star; and Mrs McKee was nominated as teacher of the year in special educational needs. I love how teachers do not seem to have first names. However, special congratulations go to Mr Spence, who won in his category, and is 'Local Women Magazine' best teacher of the year. Who says that there is no glamour, Mr Spence, in chemistry? <BR /> <BR />I know that Eric Thompson, the principal of Glenlola, will be very proud of the school's success, as will the board of governors.”
“Over the weekend, the Local Women Magazine Education Awards celebrated the remarkable achievements and tireless efforts of teachers and schools across Northern Ireland. Apparently, all the glitz and glamour made it the educational equivalent of the Oscars. The awards recognised teachers who inspire, lead and change lives for the better in classrooms across Northern Ireland. We have some of the best teachers in the world in our wee country, and they are present across all sectors of education. Teaching can, at times, be a lonely and thankless job, so it is right and proper that we celebrate success. As an MLA who has worked as a lecturer and is passionate about education and its ability to turn lives around, I want to celebrate and recognise the fact that some teachers go way above and beyond what is normally expected in their role.”
“I urge Members to vote against the motion.”
“The Members opposite are clearly in favour of it, but it is worth reflecting, for real-world people who may be listening to the debate, that these things can have impact. This is not a problem that the Department of Health has caused in any way. In fact, the Department of Health has been very useful. In that one small example, the proposal would have an impact on every person in Northern Ireland, and the Department of Health has said that it is completely "counterproductive" to what it is trying to foster, which is self-care. <BR /> <BR />While perhaps well-meaning, and certainly in line with the SDLP's political objectives, I do not believe, to quote the motion:”
“Antimicrobials are, essentially, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal medicines with which you would treat athlete's foot, thrush or dandruff. We found out two weeks ago that there is an EU proposal to make those medicines prescription only. Think for one second about the impact that that would have if it were adopted in Northern Ireland. Think about the impact on patients if, when you wanted one of those medicines, you could get it only by having a prescription from your GP. Think about the impact on our pharmacists and the general workload of the NHS, which, as we all know, is already under pressure. I give that as one example, because we need to understand what closer alignment to the EU would mean.”
“As my colleague mentioned, in the last century, we stood against dictators who were hell-bent on destroying Europe. Also during the last century, the NHS was established by Prime Minister Clement Attlee, who some of the Members opposite may have a passing respect for. I do not think that Northern Ireland desires to be part of a united Ireland, and I will continue to make the case for a union with the sixth-largest economy in the world. <BR /> <BR />It will be useful to give an example. We have talked, in this debate, in very high-level terms about the machinations of the motion, but think about this one example of the impact that closer EU alignment would have. The example presented itself at the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee recently.”
“I am not sure whether the leader of the Opposition has a hotline to Mystic Meg about what a new Ireland will look like, but that is all probably speculation. <BR /> <BR />I want to reflect my fondness for Europe and for the diversity of cultures and language that are present there. I have visited Europe on many occasions. I honeymooned there. I always found Europeans to be very kind and gracious as long as you had a go at speaking their language, which I always did, although that sometimes drew wry smiles. However, that does not mean that I want my country to be in a political and economic union with Europe. I am incredibly proud to be British; other values are available. I am proud of that politically, culturally and socially. Our country — my country — was instrumental in the abolition of the slave trade.”
“However, later in the motion, there is a call for us to rejoin the EU. It is unusual for a motion to praise something that, if you follow through on the logic, you will lose at the end. If he wants to pick up on that, I will certainly take an intervention.”
“<BR /> <BR />I nearly feel sorry for the Opposition for bringing the motion. I am not really sure that the leader of the Opposition warranted the attacks from the Alliance economy spokesperson in this debate. Notwithstanding that — I will certainly take an intervention from the leader of the Opposition on this — two bits of the motion are counterintuitive. Part of it states:”
“I will start off by addressing some of the points made so far. When I was chatting with — he has just disappeared — the leader of the Opposition about the figures for Germany's GDP and pointed out that the figures were from 2010, the Alliance economy spokesman suggested that they were skewed, in some way, by the financial crisis in 2008, and he said that we were responsible for it. I was not sure whether he was saying that I was responsible for the 2008 crash or that my party was responsible for it; we were responsible for quite a few things. Maybe he meant that the United Kingdom was responsible for the financial crash. I have to tell him that the crash was started in the US by a financial firm called Lehman Brothers. It certainly did not start in the UK. That is one thing that we are not responsible for.”
“I thank the Member for taking the intervention. Does he accept the figures that I have here, which show that, between 2010 and 2025, the UK's net GDP has grown more than Germany's? German GDP growth was $1,250 billion, and the UK's was $1,400 billion.”
“Will the Member take an amend — an intervention?”
“I welcome the statement. It is an excellent example of how the Minister and his party are delivering for people in Northern Ireland across a wide range of policy areas within a really tight budget. <BR /> <BR />Minister, your statement was seven pages long. You will not be surprised to learn that I have picked up on the sentence about the development of Queen's Parade in Bangor. Do you believe that it will be delivered on your watch?”
“Thank you, First Minister, for your answer. Given the First Minister's answer, will she commit to organising a meeting as soon as is practicably possible with Polish community leaders in Northern Ireland to acknowledge their contribution to Northern Ireland and to explore potential areas for future collaboration?”
“Mr Speaker, I wish you a very happy 40th birthday.”
“Minister, you will, no doubt, agree that treating illnesses early is better for patient outcomes and the cost implications for the health service. In light of that, will you commit to assessing the cost to the health service of undiagnosed coeliac disease and the resulting health complications, with a view to speeding up diagnosis of the illness?”
“That is probably a pretty good point on which to end.”
“The Jamaica Inn won the award for best gastropub in the Ulster region at the Irish Restaurant Awards. <BR /> <BR />Honourable mentions go to Copeland Distillery, the Cleaver steakhouse and the Walled Garden in Helen's Bay amongst many other winners across my constituency. I should also mention the Star of Bengal, because it is my local Indian takeaway, and I highly recommend the lamb madras.”
“Ballyboley Dexters, a family-owned cattle farm, was acknowledged at the Great Taste Awards for its quality meat, which is produced using sustainable cattle farming techniques. It has also done great work to restore the historic Orlock Farm, which overlooks Belfast lough. Family-owned Primacy Meats was named retailer of the year at the Bangor Business Awards. <BR /> <BR />Our hospitality businesses have also found great success at a local level. The Bangla in Bangor, owned by Abdul Rob, won the award for best Northern Ireland restaurant at the acclaimed "Curry Oscars" in London, cementing its status as the best Asian restaurant in Northern Ireland for the third year running. The Crawfordsburn Inn won the atmospheric destination of the year award at the Irish food and hospitality awards.”
“Yes, that is true, Phillip and Paul. <BR /> <BR />In the past couple of years, however, our hospitality and food sectors have taken a battering: most recently with the Labour Government's decisions to reform National Insurance and increase inheritance tax on farm properties. Yet, in spite of those challenges, the local food and drink sector in my constituency has continued to go from strength to strength, with some notable successes across the British Isles. <BR /> <BR />It is worth drawing attention to some of those stories and celebrating the achievements of local producers and hospitality businesses. Clandeboye Estate yogurt, which was started by the late Lady Dufferin, did fantastically well at the Irish Food Awards, with its raspberry and white chocolate pot recognised as the best product in Ireland.”
“Last week, at the Balmoral show, I saw the very best of our agri-food sector on display. As well as tasting some great food and drink, I saw plenty of animals and even ended up stroking an alpaca.”
“He has no magic money-creating wand, certainly not one that I am aware of, so, if you want him to do more, more must be given to him and the Department to enable them to achieve that. <BR /> <BR />While the 2025-26 Budget demonstrates a commitment to Education through increased allocations and targeted investments, it is my understanding that significant funding gaps remain. Addressing those shortfalls is imperative to ensure that every child in Northern Ireland receives the quality education that they deserve.”
“There is also significant pressure on the capital budgets in the Department. That includes major capital projects, which is new schools, school enhancement programmes (SEPs) and minor works. I also want to acknowledge the ring-fenced SEN capital that the Education Minister has introduced specifically to build new schools for special needs kids. <BR /> <BR />I will reflect the fact that members of the Education Committee, mainly from Executive parties, regularly asked the Minister to do more: raise funding for schools, reintroduce programmes or, perhaps, refurbish more buildings, all of which are very notable and worthwhile. It is worth making the point that the Education Minister can spend only the money that is allocated to him.”
“The independent review of education outlined the fact that our education sector literally requires additional hundreds of millions of pounds to address long-standing shortfalls, and there is a range of other consistent demands on the Education budget. I am sure that I could speak for hours — apparently, I am limited to seven minutes — but I will not do that. However, it is also worth addressing the pressures on special educational needs. I will quote directly from the new SEN reform agenda, which says the following:”
“some £15 million has been allocated. Both of those are PFG priorities, and, whilst we are speaking about the 2025-26 Budget today, it would be short-sighted not to make the point — if there is a point in this speech, I imagine that this is it — that those will need to be replicated and increased in 2026-27.”
“I note that £50 million has been made available and will remain centrally held for allocation. I also acknowledge the Finance Minister's reference earlier today to an additional £5 million from June monitoring that would be added to that. Under the priority area:”
“It will be no surprise to any Member in the Chamber that he has made it clear that he does not believe that the Education allocation is nearly enough; in fact, in March, the Minister said that he was facing pressures of around £400 million. However, I also recognise that the Finance Minister is in a precarious position, but there can be few greater priorities than the education of our children, both ethically and in terms of the investment that it delivers for our society. <BR /> <BR />Specifically, I note the resource DEL allocations contained in the PFG priorities. First, to deliver:”
“I speak on behalf of my party but also as a member of the Education Committee. I will address some short remarks to the Budget as it pertains to the issues under the remit of Education. <BR /> <BR />There are a range of projects and programmes that Members in this place, not least me — I reflect on the recent comments made by my colleague behind me — would love to see delivered in our schools and for our young people through the auspices of the Department. The Minister doubtless shares such enthusiasm, but, as Members will be aware, he is limited by the parameters set by the Finance Minister through the Budget allocation.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he remain content for his Department and the Northern Ireland Civil Service to continue to support Stonewall through public funding and in wider policy terms, despite the mass exodus from its programme, including by even the aforementioned Equality Commission and Human Rights Commission?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does she accept that, although schools have iPads and iPhones with a particular level of safeguards so that inappropriate images and so forth cannot be seen, individual pupils who bring their phones into school, albeit with the best intentions for their use, may not have those filters and could access distressing or hurtful images in school and that it is difficult for schools to police that boundary?”
“There is a clear role for schools and teachers, and we should welcome the fact that those dangers are being addressed in schools in Northern Ireland right now. We very much welcome the debate and the SDLP's tabling the motion, but I ask Members to support our amendment.”
“That would allow for additional funding for the child sexual exploitation unit, which, day in and day out, deals with the matters that we are debating today. I recently met Detective Chief Superintendent Jordan Piper, who runs that unit. Her and her officers' dedication and commitment to protecting children from online abuse and prosecuting the offenders was clear to me, but it remains clear that our PSNI needs to be properly funded to provide additional officers. That is the basis of the latter part of our amendment. <BR /> <BR />I know that all Members want to see our children protected not just from dangerous individuals in the online world but from the mental health dangers that are so concurrent with extensive smartphone use.”
“Take a minute to consider those two figures and the impact that six hours of social media use has on our children. If we are serious about dealing with mental health, as my colleague just mentioned, that would be a good place to start. That is what he is trying to address in schools, and there is also a role for the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Department of Health more widely. I concur that increasing provision of counselling services in schools would be welcome, and I know that there has been provision in post-primary schools for some time. <BR /> <BR />I turn to the end of our amendment. We agree with the SDLP, although our wording is slightly different, that a call for the Minister of Justice to properly fund the PSNI is important; I do not believe that this is an operational matter.”
“I will address some of what my colleague referenced in the next section of my speech. <BR /> <BR />I am particularly grateful to Smartphone Free Childhood for being a pioneer on the issue in Northern Ireland. Its research has been extremely useful to me. I publicly acknowledge Rosalind McClean and Dr Peter Cosgrove in particular. Some of the facts that my colleague referenced are startling. Members may not be aware of them. They include that 67% of 16- to 18-year-olds think that smartphones are harmful; 94% of parents think that smartphones are harmful; and 50% of teenagers say that they are addicted to social media. Research also shows that girls with no social media use have a 12% predilection for suffering from depression or low self-esteem, but that, with six hours of usage per day, that figure rises to 38%. That is a rise of 26%.”
“I thank the Member for the question. I think that it has been rolled out to nine schools. I may be wrong. My understanding — I have no doubt that the Minister will speak to this — is that it is a pilot project to build an evidence and research base in order to see what effect the —.”
“As Members are aware, there is already a pilot in place across nine schools to build an evidence and research base.”
“I am sure that all Members will want to publicly acknowledge that. I am very proud that the Minister has led on the wider issue of smartphone use, and, in September 2024, despite enduring a little criticism from some in the Chamber, he issued a circular to boards of governors that read:”
“<BR /> <BR />We agree with the SDLP that online safety must be in the curriculum, and I assure the party that it is. In preparation for the debate, I visited the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) hub, which has a really good resources section. From feedback that I received from pupils, I know that teachers are dealing with these areas, and rightly so. There is also a recently updated and very detailed policy document called 'Safeguarding and Child Protection in Schools' on the Department's website, and I know that schools are using that. <BR /> <BR />It is worth noting that, this morning, my DUP colleague the Education Minister, who is sitting in front of me, announced ongoing funding for the Safer Schools NI app, which provides online safety advice to schools across Northern Ireland.”
“This generation is very different from the previous one. Years ago, as children, we played outside endlessly, and our parents may seldom have known where we were. Now, as parents, we can sometimes be overprotective of our children in the physical environment but seem unconcerned when they disappear to their bedroom with a smartphone. Suddenly, the world opens up: beheadings, extreme pornography and sexual exploitation are all part of the cocktail that they are suddenly exposed to. It appears that we are unaware of where in the shadows the new dangers lurk. In the course of the evidence taken by the Education Committee over the past year, one thing that I have learned is that children are exposed to those appalling things faster and earlier. That is why the motion is extremely useful and timely.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the sponsors of the motion for tabling it. Our amendment tries to enhance the motion without significantly changing it. I pay tribute to the Member opposite for East Londonderry, who has raised this issue consistently at the Education Committee. <BR /> <BR />It is worth spending a little time highlighting some of the recent findings from Ofcom, which the proposer of the motion mentioned, to put the matter in the context that it deserves. Ofcom recently reported that children aged from five to seven are increasingly present online, with 30% in that age bracket using social media unsupervised and a growing number having personal profiles.”
“Those are not my words but those of Dr Hilary Cass, whom the Member just cited. Does the Member accept that puberty blockers can have serious, long-term and irrevocable effects on young, gender-dysphoric teenagers?”
“I thank the Member for taking the intervention.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. What is his assessment of the potential implications of the Supreme Court judgement for Northern Ireland's education settings, particularly schools?”
“To pick up on the point that my right honourable colleague across the way from Mid Ulster mentioned, an anti-cruelty register would be incredibly useful for Northern Ireland, as would a more standardised approach across all these areas, for that matter. I agree that the amendment weakens the motion. I give credit to my colleagues across the way — the Ulster Unionist Party — for proposing the motion. It is clear and concise and lays out in very cogent terms what should be happening. We will certainly be supporting the motion. <BR /> <BR />In closing, I thank the Dogs Trust for all the work that it does in Northern Ireland in protecting vulnerable animals and looking after them. All Members are aware of that, but it is worth mentioning this afternoon. Thank you to the Dogs Trust.”
“I was not planning to speak on this matter; however, if our cockapoo, Max, sees this and realises that I did not speak, I suspect that he would never forgive me. I speak as a very recent dog owner. I have always been very passionate about the protection of animals, but, with owning a dog in particular, you see that there is a real humanity to them. In the evenings, when watching a movie, Max will get up from one sofa, go across to the other sofa and curl up in a ball. He then sighs, as we would, in the corner. I have to say that he has been a real blessing to our family. <BR /> <BR />On this particular topic, I was surprised when I learnt that there was not mandatory licensing and that there were not unannounced inspections for pounds and kennels.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Does he believe that the NSMC is providing practical assistance to address educational disadvantage and underachievement in Northern Ireland, and if so, how?”
“— the answer to which has eluded them: what is a woman?”