Diana Armstrong
Fermanagh and South Tyrone · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Minister, thank you for your comments on the passing of Tom Frawley, which were befitting of a man of his stature. I, too, send my sympathy to his family.”
“Much is said about working towards regional balance in our economy. What assessment has been made of the geographical spread of PEACE PLUS funding? Can you provide assurances that rural communities are not being left behind in favour of urban centres, which have much more capacity to apply for that funding?”
“I mark a truly remarkable milestone in my home town of Enniskillen: the 350th anniversary of Enniskillen Presbyterian Church, one of the oldest Presbyterian communities in Ireland, with roots stretching back to the 1640s and the arrival of the Scottish settlers in Fermanagh during the plantation of Ulster.”
“The uproar that followed shook the General Assembly for a generation. The congregation was reproved, petitioned and visited by commission after commission, but they refused to move. It took until 1896 for the matter to be settled, and, now, music is accepted in all churches.”
“Nessie's warmth, shown towards a young teacher who had arrived knowing nobody, made all the difference. That is what community means. It is a story of continuity for generations of families, whose generosity and faith have shaped the church that we see today. It has always been my church.”
“It is a reminder that the roots of global stories can often be traced right back to a small community in Fermanagh. <BR /> <BR />Three hundred-and-fifty years is a long time, but what endures is not bricks and mortar: it is the warmth, the welcome and the service to others that has defined that congregation across the centuries.”
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“I, too, want to raise serious concerns about the impact of Reval2026 on our local economy, particularly on the hospitality, tourism and food-to-go sectors. We are seeing projected rates increases across Northern Ireland that are nothing short of staggering. As has been said, hotels are facing rises of up to 83%, with pubs facing rises of as much as 57%. Cafes, visitor attractions and the wider tourism economy are all being dragged into the same crisis. One hotel in my constituency has seen its rates bill rise to £338,000 a year, which is an increase of 83%. That is not sustainable, nor is it reform: it is a direct threat to jobs, investment and the future of that business. <BR /> <BR />The new valuations are based on a snapshot of trading conditions in 2022, which makes the situation even more alarming.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement this morning. Minister, you referenced the global biodiversity framework and the aim of having 30% of terrestrial inland water, in effect, conserved. Will you give us a commitment today that that will not include a compulsory land purchase for landowners?”
“Minister, can you give a commitment that Professor Frank Atherton will be given space to report his findings directly to you without any influence from officials in the Southern Trust, the PHA or, indeed, your Department?”
“<BR /> <BR />Some may argue that €3 per parcel sounds minor, but, for low-value items, that is a huge price tag, and, for small businesses shipping high volumes of small goods, those costs spiral rapidly. The result is a two-tier UK economy where people in Northern Ireland pay more and get less. The Assembly should reject that. The UK Government must stand up for Northern Ireland's traders and consumers, restore sovereignty over all aspects of UK trade and make it absolutely clear that no new customs duties will apply to parcels moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Anything less accepts permanent disadvantage for this part of the United Kingdom, and the House should never support that.”
“We already see the damage in the data. The Office for National Statistics shows that between 2020 and 2024-25, the proportion of GB businesses selling to Northern Ireland fell from 5·7% to 3·9%. In the year up to April 2025, 15·1% of GB firms reported a decline in sales to Northern Ireland. Only 6·2% reported an increase, and 8·3% stopped trading altogether with Northern Ireland. That is not theoretical; that is happening now. Many of our retailers rely on GB suppliers for everyday and niche products. When those supply chains dry up, local businesses just cannot compete, and consumers lose access to goods that are standard elsewhere in the UK.”
“Let us be clear: that is the reality of the Windsor framework. Those parties that voted in December 2024 to sustain article 5 of the protocol/Windsor framework knew exactly what they were doing. They knew that it would leave Northern Ireland exposed to changes in EU trade policy over which we have no democratic control; yet they proceeded anyway.”
“I thank the Member, who is my colleague on the Economy Committee. He is absolutely right, and I support his comments. <BR /> <BR />Any additional charge applied here but not in Great Britain creates inequality in the United Kingdom. Suppliers may simply stop shipping to Northern Ireland or pass the cost directly to our consumers.”
“I thank the Member for that. I just inform you that they will not be debating that until 2029.”
“I thank the proposer of the motion for raising this important topic. The UUP will support it. I will bring it back to the topic of the EU parcels. We are where we are. Once again, local traders and consumers in Northern Ireland find themselves on the back foot, facing yet another threat of divergence within our United Kingdom. The European Union claims that the new fixed customs fee on small parcels, due from July 2026, is about tackling unfair competition, but, if it is imposed in Northern Ireland, the opposite will happen: prices will rise, choice will fall and small businesses will be hit hardest. The motion is absolutely right. Any additional —.”
“For those reasons, the UUP will not support the motion.”
“That is why Lord Murphy's recommendation of a single, comprehensive, online one-stop shop for trade guidance across the United Kingdom is the solution. Such a mechanism would provide immediate practical support without creating new layers of bureaucracy, new premises or new layers of administration. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland's economy has enormous potential, but growth will not be delivered by symbolic gestures or political theatre. It will be delivered by coherent policy, regulatory stability and genuine engagement with the business community. The motion, with its vague commitments and costly proposals for an EU office, does not meet those standards. The Ulster Unionist Party believes that our focus must remain on delivery, solutions and support for business that is real, not rhetorical.”
“No. I will carry on for now, thank you. <BR /> <BR />We are already in a position in which EU regulations are being introduced in Northern Ireland incrementally, month by month, with limited democratic oversight. Businesses are forced to adapt continuously, often with little notice and less clarity. In that context, the last thing that they need is another layer of governance and another source of complexity. <BR /> <BR />The motion claims that the Windsor framework has mitigated the worst impacts of Brexit: many businesses would strongly dispute that assessment. The framework has reduced some immediate disruption, but it has entrenched divergence and uncertainty. That is not a stable platform for growth, investment or long-term planning. What businesses have repeatedly called for is clarity, simplicity and certainty.”
“It even has "Northern Ireland" in its title: Delegation of the European Union to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. To operate an office in Northern Ireland would undermine the sovereignty of the United Kingdom, of which Northern Ireland is a constituent part.”
“and then calls for the creation of an EU office in Belfast. None of that addresses the day-to-day reality facing businesses across Northern Ireland that are grappling with regulatory divergence, rising costs and ongoing uncertainty. <BR /> <BR />Let me say plainly that I opposed Brexit. I have worked inside the European Commission, and I understand how the institutions function in practice. That experience gives me no confidence that creating another publicly funded EU structure in Belfast would meaningfully help local businesses. On the contrary, it would risk becoming yet another costly, bureaucratic talking shop, delivering headlines rather than tangible assistance. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland already has a dedicated delegation and office from the European Union.”
“The motion is presented as if it is about supporting businesses in Northern Ireland. On closer examination, however, it is clearly about politics and posturing, not practical solutions. <BR /> <BR />The motion tells us to celebrate dual market access, assures us:”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Minister, will you, therefore, issue guidance to other Departments and agencies that will prevent further disclaimed opinions being issued?”
“The Republic of Ireland has a clear statutory duty of disclosure and candour, yet there are substantial concerns about its transparency around legacy issues. There is also an ongoing failure to properly engage with the ICRIR in relation to Troubles crimes committed in Northern Ireland. For Enniskillen, for the families and for truth and accountability, this must be investigated.”
“<BR /> <BR />At times like these, we must remember the people who are at the very centre of the tragedy. I knew many of the victims very well, as they attended the same church as I did. It still pains me that innocent people who were paying respect at the solemn eleventh hour should have been slaughtered in such a wanton and cruel manner. Families still seek truth, justice and accountability, yet Sinn Féin still cannot issue words of condemnation. <BR /> <BR />I call for clarity on the revelation. There is a name out there that I will not give at this stage. I will write to the Chief Constable to ask whether that person has been in receipt of a comfort letter, and I will ask that the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) re-examines the investigation for any outstanding or unreported evidence.”
“Over the past few days, the media have been reporting that an allegedly ruthless female commander of the IRA's south Fermanagh brigade, who played a key role in the Enniskillen Poppy Day bomb that murdered 12 people 38 years ago, has been seen back in the town of Enniskillen. She is understood to have moved abroad after the Poppy Day bomb but has been sighted frequently, as far back as 2015. <BR /> <BR />Thirteen people have been arrested in connection with the bomb in Enniskillen on Remembrance Day, on 8 November 1987, but nobody has been charged. The recent revelations add further pain and anguish to the families of those who were murdered, maimed and traumatised by that horrific terrorist attack. Seeing headlines and images from that tragic day recycled again and again reopens wounds that do not go away.”
“Minister, do you have any concerns about the conduct of the ombudsman?”
“Businesses must invest in prevention, but we must also ensure that young and old alike are aware of the dangers. We need to ensure that victims of such crimes get emotional support. The victim of a romance scam needs not just a crime reference number but signposting to trauma services and help to secure their digital life against becoming a future target. <BR /> <BR />The motion is timely and necessary. Fraudsters exploit technology and our trust. We must have a cross-cutting response that spans public bodies, banks, businesses and institutions in Northern Ireland. We must send a clear message that the people of Northern Ireland will not be easy prey for fraudsters and scammers. We must strengthen prevention; improve detection and enforcement; and enhance data-sharing between agencies and financial institutions.”
“I thank the Minister for her comments. Yes: any actions that can be taken to bring perpetrators to court are essential. <BR /> <BR />Raising awareness, strengthening support mechanisms and sharing best practice are vital steps. At a community level, rogue traders continue to target vulnerable people, cold-calling at homes and pressuring residents into unnecessary and overpriced work. We must support initiatives such as no-cold-calling zones, empower communities to say no and ensure that clear advice is available at clinics, faith groups and constituency offices. With police resources stretched, voluntary groups often have a crucial role to play. <BR /> <BR />Cyber-enabled fraud is now a daily threat. Simple steps, such as using strong passwords, enabling two-step verification and staying vigilant, can make a real difference.”
“to strengthen our opposition to scams and their perpetrators. The strategy should focus on prevention, which is always better than detection, especially with fraud. We need tough penalties for those who commit fraud, with sentencing that reflects the economic and personal trauma inflicted. Judges must be trained in the impact of fraud, and full victim impact statements should be presented in court. <BR /> <BR />The inclusion of fraud in the DOJ's penalty notice proposals is, frankly, disappointing and sends the wrong message. Fraud is a calculated crime and should never be met with a mere slap on the wrist. That is why the motion is so important. Raising awareness, strengthening support mechanisms —.”
“In those cases, business accounts were compromised, payments were redirected and income disappeared with little warning. For some, that was not a minor disruption; it threatened their ability to pay staff, meet rent or keep trading at all. Those were everyday, local businesses doing exactly what they needed to do to operate in a modern economy. <BR /> <BR />We must thank the PSNI, the National Crime Agency, ScamwiseNI and, indeed, the main banks for their work in preventing scams. Other bodies, such as councils, have also stepped up, partnering with police, banks and the telecoms industry to amplify awareness and offer practical guidance. <BR /> <BR />The motion calls on the Minister of Justice:”
“We also remember the case of Patrick and Matthew McDonagh from Irvinestown in my constituency, who were jailed last year after scamming elderly American homeowners out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in a phoney home-repair business. That case was described by an FBI agent as a "a travelling roadshow of fraud". <BR /> <BR />Increasingly, small businesses and sole traders are being targeted. They are people who work long hours, often on small margins, and rely on digital platforms to trade. A clear example is the coordinated scam targeting local takeaway firms through sophisticated phishing attacks. Between December 2022 and 2024, it is estimated, businesses in Northern Ireland lost over £200,000 through that scam, alongside customer-focused phishing scams and fraudulent orders.”
“This autumn, the PSNI and its counterpart, an Garda Síochána, highlighted a cross-border criminal gang that was targeting farmers and agribusinesses on the border. The gang has been using cloned cards, fake bank transfers and redirected deliveries to steal high-value machinery. <BR /> <BR />It is an issue with global ramifications, as it is often said that fraud and scams are borderless crimes. Members may recall a high-profile telemarketing fraud case in the USA this year, when Alan Redmond, a Belfast-born businessman, was charged by US federal prosecutors in an alleged multimillion-dollar insurance fraud scheme.”
“Consider the tragic case of Ronan Hughes, a teenager from Coalisland, who took his own life after being tricked online and blackmailed — a devastating demonstration that fraud is not just a financial crime. <BR /> <BR />Scammers see any new incentive as a means of exploitation. We see it annually, when a new scheme is announced for affordable heating or insulation. A barrage of text messages is sent out to vulnerable people, demanding personal information and sometimes even threatening customers with bills if they do not respond. Such scams create huge fear among the most vulnerable in our society. <BR /> <BR />Members will know that border communities are particularly exposed to scams linked to organised and cross-border criminal gangs.”
“When someone is already stressed and looking for help, a fake account moves in quickly, appearing helpful and legitimate. In reality, the aim is to extract personal details or encourage payments under false pretences. <BR /> <BR />The emotional impact can be severe. Victims speak about anxiety, loss of sleep and a lasting loss of confidence. Older people, in particular, can become afraid to answer the phone or use the internet at all. That fear can lead to isolation and wider decline in well-being. Families and carers are often left trying to provide reassurance and support, while also dealing with the practical and financial fallout. Let us not forget the grave human cost.”
“Scammers seek to present themselves as trusted companies or public bodies using familiar branding and professional language, although that is not always the case. Poor language and grammar are often telling signs of a scam. Many victims genuinely believe that they are responding to routine communications from organisations that they deal with regularly. That is not carelessness; it is organised, deliberate deception. That is especially common through email and, increasingly, on social media. <BR /> <BR />We have seen a rise in fake accounts posing as customer service teams for well-known companies. Airlines are a frequent example, particularly on platforms like X, where people often post publicly about cancelled or delayed flights. Scammers actively monitor those posts.”
“<BR />This September, it was reported in my local press that an Enniskillen woman had lost over £40,000 in a romance scam. She had been groomed on social media for months and was persuaded to transfer money and gift cards. Of course, the person on the other end of the phone was not who they said they were. Such scams are not just, as I said, financially devastating. Many victims never come forward. Some are embarrassed, some blame themselves and others feel that reporting will not make a difference. As a result, the true scale of harm is almost certainly greater than the official figures suggest. <BR /> <BR />What is particularly worrying about many of the scams is how convincing they are.”
“The elderly are particularly vulnerable when they are deliberately targeted by fraudsters online and in person. It is our collective responsibility across communities and law enforcement to protect the most vulnerable from those who would prey on them. <BR /> <BR />While mobile phones and the internet have opened the door to more sophisticated scamming, the perpetrators still use traditional methods as well. Postal scams are still rampant and appearing through letter boxes. Last summer, Enniskillen residents received convincing lottery letters, claiming that the recipient had won a fortune. In fact, it was quite the opposite: those letters were designed to pry out bank details and personal information. <BR /> <BR />Let us be clear: scams are not victimless crimes. They are deeply traumatic and cause profound financial and emotional harm.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. The goal of the motion is to draw attention to the real and growing threat that scams and fraud pose to people across Northern Ireland. From rogue traders preying on our elderly constituents to the most sophisticated cyber-enabled fraud, the challenge is local and global. The scale and sophistication of fraud and scams has stepped up markedly across Northern Ireland in recent years. In the 12 months to the end of October 2024, over 5,200 fraud reports were made to the PSNI, with close to £19 million in reported losses, ranging from ticket scams to six-figure impersonation frauds. <BR /> <BR />Fraud is not a victimless crime. It devastates lives not only through financial loss but by leaving victims feeling invaded, humiliated and unsafe in their own home.”
“Minister, I thank you for your reply. Allowing early access is the right and caring approach to ensure that people who have been diagnosed can focus on the precious time that they have left without the worry of finances. What support is your Department providing for those who are in such circumstances?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, when will you get to grips with the TB situation and drive down TB costs?”
“I thank the Minister for attending. Among my colleagues on the Committee for the Economy, there is unanimity in supporting the statutory regulations. We recognise that the RHI scheme must work towards its end point, which is necessary to allow other renewable energy schemes to come into play. However, as others have said, it is vital that the integrity and transparency of the process be assured. Given that the scheme has been plagued by scandal, mismanagement and a huge decline in public confidence, people today want us to focus on the implications of its closure for the public purse. At this stage, therefore, I support the statutory regulations. I welcome the move forward and the work that you and your Department have been doing, Minister, and I am happy to support the motion.”
“Minister, thank you for your statement. I commend you for the swift action that was taken at the weekend. You mentioned at least a couple of times in your statement the fact that there is no risk to public health. What measures are you taking to communicate the message more widely to consumers that meat and lamb are safe products to consume?”
“Minister, following the Labour Government's U-turn on their manifesto commitment to grant all workers first-day rights to claim unfair dismissal, will you also recommend the same measure in the 'good jobs' Bill in Northern Ireland?”
“Minister, thank you for your statement. I also reference the fatalities on the Derrylin Road in Fermanagh at the weekend. Having been out there, it was clear to me how that accident could have happened. I appeal to DFI to consider replenishing the road markings there — they are desperately in need of it — so that they are more emphatic for drivers. It is an extremely busy North/South road that is used every day by many vehicles, including goods lorries. <BR /> <BR />Minister, was there any indication from the Irish Government of further funding for the A5? On a second matter, Fermanagh is absent from the all-Ireland rail review: was that absence highlighted again?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement. I am pleased that you referred to the difficulties with VAT for the hospitality sector in particular. Moving ahead to the multi-year Budget, the hospitality industry and, indeed, retail are looking at a lean season post Christmas. What can you recommend post Christmas for the multi-year Budget to protect businesses that are at risk?”
“I will always seek to do what is right for my community and challenge what I see as failings.”
“Recent weeks, however, which have seen the trust enter into an unnecessary public spat about who should even have chaired an upcoming meeting, combined with last week's comments, have revealed a regression in the trust's approach and attitude. Earlier this year, the Minister took the highly unusual decision to publicly intervene, yet it appears that the trust is even now beginning to deviate from the clear instruction that it was given about coming up with a focused vision plan for the SWAH. Public confidence matters, and, regrettably, the Western Trust is still doing little to restore it. That urgently needs to change. <BR /> <BR />Since becoming an MLA, my priority has always been to the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone and their well-being.”
“To be clear, the review of general surgery set out the standards for emergency general surgery, but, importantly, it did not state which hospitals should and should not deliver it. No matter the reason behind that latest attempt at smoke and mirrors, it is for the Western Trust to determine how to configure its general surgical service to meet those standards. That is a matter of fact, and the trust needs to be careful in its noticeable efforts to rewrite that. <BR /> <BR />After the shambles of its botched consultation process in July, I thought that the Western Trust would have learned some lessons, and, for a while, I thought that it had, when it issued an apology in October admitting its multitude of failings.”
“That was a shocking, sweeping statement, but it perhaps also revealed what many had long suspected was the belief of some. Equally galling was the trust's shirking of responsibility when, after being asked a fairly straightforward question by a journalist about emergency general surgery, its immediate reply was:”
“Last Thursday, the Health Committee met in the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) in Enniskillen. Whilst Parliament Buildings is, no doubt, a hugely impressive location to work from, I have found, in my relatively short time as an MLA, that the opportunity to engage directly with organisations and to visit their premises is just as important. I am certain that the members of the Health Committee were hugely impressed with the size of the South West Acute Hospital and the many opportunities that exist there. It remains one of the best and most modern health facilities in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />I was alarmed, however, by the report, subsequent to the meeting with the Western Trust, that it had apparently told the Health Committee:”
“We must, however, emphasise that such collaboration should inform practical policymaking within the settled constitutional framework, respecting the principle of consent and ensuring that Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom remains fully recognised in an all-island analysis.”
“The UUP agrees with that. Reliable, jointly presented data helps all Administrations — Stormont, Dublin and Westminster — to better understand pressures on housing, healthcare, skills, transport and public services. It is clear that many of the issues highlighted in the publication, such as age demographics, workforce participation, housing pressures and regional disparities, are not unique to either jurisdiction and require serious, evidence-based policy responses rather than ideological framing. For those reasons, the UUP supports ongoing statistical cooperation between NISRA and the CSO.”
“Rather, it reflects the practical realities of a modern, flexible workforce that is shaped by geography, opportunity and the common travel area. <BR /> <BR />The motion notes:”
“For example, census records show that the Republic of Ireland's population in 1961 was under 3 million. That is significantly lower than today and illustrates how recent growth is a relatively modern development rather than being part of a continuous historical trend. <BR /> <BR />The UUP recognises the importance of data to cross-border and east-west labour mobility. According to the publication, more than 18,000 people travel across the border daily for work, with 10,500 commuting southwards and 7,777 travelling northwards. Those flows demonstrate the interconnected nature of our labour markets, not only North/South but as part of broader patterns of movement across the UK and these islands in general. The existence of such mobility does not in itself define or predetermine constitutional outcomes.”
“I will make my own comments on the amendments. The Ulster Unionist Party welcomes the opportunity to discuss the Ireland and Northern Ireland joint census publication and the value that it offers in providing an understanding of the demographic and economic trends across the island. The motion rightly notes the scale of population change. It is important to recognise that the publication highlights the long-term historical context. The census confirms that, while the island's population has reached 7·1 million, that figure remains below pre-famine levels and reflects a profound demographic shift that has taken place over many generations. It is also important to note that the population of the South has not always been at its current level.”
“Timothy Gaston said that this turns consensus into a political manifesto, and, in wrapping up, David Honeyford said that using facts makes for better decisions for our lives and builds better opportunities for all.”