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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“<BR /> <BR />Diane Forsythe talked about the economic behaviours of people in her border county and said that the work of the Assembly should focus on public services, waiting lists etc instead of political point-scoring by Sinn Féin. <BR /> <BR />Kellie Armstrong said that accuracy mattered in the sense that it must reflect today's realities, not yesterday's divisions. <BR /> <BR />Pádraig Delargy also mentioned the movement of people and the opportunities that cross-border movement allows for using universities, and he acknowledged emigration and how we need to not lose young people from our society to opportunities overseas.”
“I have taken a few notes on what Members have said, and I will see whether I can read them. I thank the proposer of the motion, and I will make a few comments on what has been said. <BR /> <BR />I listened to Matthew O'Toole, and I was pleased that he mentioned the South West Acute Hospital in County Fermanagh as being "criminally underused" and the potential there for cross-border usage. He said that the facility has not been used due to "distortions created by the border". He also paid tribute to and understood the east-west dimension: that was important. <BR /> <BR />My colleague, Doug Beattie, expressed his struggle to see the validity of the motion and pointed out that population ebbs and flows in many ways, and we see that in the movement of people North/South and east-west.”
“How does the Department ensure quality of care in the independent sector where delirium beds are contracted to?”
“On the global stage, his name became synonymous with quality and creativity. His designs travelled from Moygashel to major fashion capitals, carrying with them the story of local skill and dedication. <BR /> <BR />Today, as we reflect on his life and achievements, we extend our heartfelt sympathy to his wife, Anne, and their seven children, who have lost a beloved husband and father. May they find comfort in the knowledge that his contributions to fashion, to Moygashel, to Tyrone and to all who admired his work will endure long into the future.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Paul Costelloe brand had a special connection to my constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. It placed significant elements of its production in the Strelitz factory in Moygashel, recognising and valuing the exceptional skills of local workers and the area's long-standing tradition of textile craft. At a time when such investment truly mattered, Paul Costelloe chose to anchor part of his global brand in a small village that he trusted to deliver excellence. That decision brought real economic benefit to Tyrone. His commitment provided employment and stability and brought pride to a community with deep manufacturing roots. He helped to ensure that Moygashel was known not only for its past but for the contemporary craftsmanship that contributed to one of the most respected fashion labels of our time.”
“It is with great sadness that, as the Ulster Unionist MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, I pay tribute to the late Paul Costelloe, who passed away on Friday 21 November. He was a remarkable designer whose influence on fashion and connection to our part of the world will be remembered for generations. Paul Costelloe was a transformative figure in women's fashion. His designs were instantly recognisable, elegant and confident and crafted with a deep understanding of how women live and express themselves. For decades, he shaped the style of modern womenswear, producing collections that were admired on runways, embraced by customers and praised for their sophistication and originality. His work consistently celebrated women, blending practicality with beauty in a way that set him apart as a true leader in his field.”
“Minister, I welcome your comments on concern for the economic viability of the hospitality sector. Do you accept that now is not the time to shake up the hospitality industry and put more pressure on a sector that is struggling?”
“Thank you, Minister, for the answer to question 5. Can you give me an assurance that you are committed to delivering the panel's recommendations in their entirety?”
“Minister, thank you for the statement. I welcome the indication that the business growth accelerator will be looked at as a means of staggering rates for businesses in expansion. However, like other Members, I want to ask about timelines. Given the ongoing review of the valuation methodology for pubs and hospitality businesses, what tangible impact do you expect that to have on the hospitality sector by the end of the mandate? I am talking about real on-the-ground support rather than further data collection or consultations.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. Yes, that is critical. In many cases, that is the principal meal of the day for a child, and so the nutritional elements in it need to be considered. <BR /> <BR />As I said, making important decisions on school meal prices and increasing the eligibility threshold for school meals are important first steps that would make a real difference for low-income families. Beyond those simple measures, the draft anti-poverty strategy must be strengthened to include ambitious but achievable poverty reduction targets with clear actions to address food and fuel poverty. <BR /> <BR />I urge Members to back the amendment and the motion and send a message to the Education and Communities Ministers and indeed to the Executive that they must help to ensure that no child goes hungry this winter.”
“and develop practical measures to reduce poverty. Making important decisions on school meal pricing and increasing the eligibility threshold for free school meals would go a long way in reflecting those commitments.”
“The recent 50% hike in the cost of school meals by the Education Authority adds yet another layer of pressure on already stretched household budgets. Fifty pence might not seem like much, but, when you factor in five school days, alongside multiple children in a family, the cost quickly adds up. For many children, the school dinner is the most substantial meal that they receive in a day and making those meals less affordable risks worsening child health and child poverty. <BR /> <BR />Our party's amendment aptly calls for departmental decisions to”
“<BR /> <BR />As my colleague Andy Allen said, in 2024, the charity found that 520,000 people across Northern Ireland were food-insecure. To put the figures into perspective, that is almost one in four people in Northern Ireland, and, even more worryingly, 130,000 of that number were children. Furthermore, National Energy Action found that, in 2024, 40% of adults were experiencing food poverty and spent more than 10% of their salary on household energy costs. <BR /> <BR />The rising cost of living is pushing more families into poverty and deepening health inequalities. Parents are being forced to choose between heating their home and putting food on the table. Members, we are failing in our duty to protect the most vulnerable.”
“At the outset, I thank the proposer of the motion. I will speak principally on the amendment tabled by my colleagues and me. <BR /> <BR />The rising cost of food in Northern Ireland is one of the most pressing issues facing households here, and it is having a devastating impact on families, especially children. As others have said, in the run-up to Christmas, many families will feel an even greater burden as the cost of Christmas presents and food stacks up. Recent statistics from the Trussell Trust are startling, to say the least. In the last five years, food prices have increased by 37%, while the cost of a frozen turkey has risen by 41%. The reality is that families may not even be able to afford a frozen turkey. The average cost of a Christmas dinner for four people has increased by around 15% as of 2024.”
“Minister, will you provide an update on the smart meter programme?”
“Minister, what impact does the matter have on the process that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) uses to determine where homes are built?”
“It will remove the financial uncertainty that hinders investment, provide a guaranteed price for fuel and help future-proof the developing sector, all while making progress towards our green energy goals. I am happy to endorse the extension of the Bill to ensure that Northern Ireland is not left behind on clean aviation fuel.”
“When we see the benefits of the investment in SAF in Great Britain, we find that it makes little sense for Northern Ireland to neglect such opportunities. Environmentally sustainable aviation fuel aligns with Invest NI's green economy strategy and has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in aviation by up to 80% when compared with standard jet fuel. It can also support our Climate Change Act targets as a cornerstone of the local net zero transition. <BR /> <BR />The legislation, once enacted, will guarantee sustainable aviation fuel producers a revenue certainty mechanism to support the production of sustainable aviation fuel.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill offers economic opportunity and strategic foresight to help harness the vast developing changes in an industry that is so vital for our connectivity and commerce. The industry is also one of the fastest-growing sources of carbon emissions. With the Bill, more investment can be attracted, more green jobs created and waste from agri-foods and forestry can be turned into wealth, transforming landfill gas and agricultural residues into clean jet fuel. <BR /> <BR />As I read, in July this year it was announced that 17 companies in the UK that are developing the fuels will receive shares of a new £63 million funding boost, which will support around 1,400 jobs. It has been warned that, if the Bill is not extended to Northern Ireland, it may lead to revenue uncertainty for producers of SAF.”
“I, too, support the legislative consent motion. It offers an important opportunity to help Northern Ireland become a hub for sustainable aviation fuel innovation and development, building on work that is already under way here. I join David Honeyford, our colleague on the Economy Committee, in mentioning the fact that Northern Ireland, as a devolved part of the UK, was left out of the consideration. That is not acceptable, given that it posed a risk that we would be left out of line with GB, robbing us of the potential benefits of developing further investment in sustainable aviation fuel. Thankfully, that has been rectified, and the Ulster Unionist Party is content to support the Minister's request for legislative consent.”
“<BR /> <BR />On behalf of the Assembly, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mabel and her family. Mabel, you are one of our brightest stars, and your skill in photography inspires us all. You are a little superstar with the biggest smile, and I know that you will go on to do even greater things. You have done Northern Ireland and your family proud.”
“This year, 250 entries were submitted, so for Mabel to have won the award against stiff competition is such a remarkable achievement. <BR /> <BR />Last Thursday, Mabel had a wonderful night in London with her mother, Elaine, and father, Gary, at the My Perspective final. The night was made all the more memorable when she took the award home. I speak for everyone here when I say that we in Northern Ireland, especially in Mabel's home county of Fermanagh, are all immensely proud of her. <BR /> <BR />Mabel is a member of the Fermanagh Down Syndrome Support Group. The support group does amazing work in helping families across the county. Mabel's mum, Elaine, is its chairperson, and I thank her sincerely for all her work and vital support for all those who have Down's syndrome and their families.”
“I commend the achievement of a young pupil at Irvinestown Primary School, Mabel Hetherington, who last week was crowned winner of the people's choice award in the child category of the Down's Syndrome Association's 2025 My Perspective photo competition. <BR /> <BR />My Perspective is an international photo competition for people with Down's syndrome that provides a unique opportunity to show the world through their perspective, using a photographic lens. Eight-year-old Mabel was shortlisted in the child category this year for her photo 'My Happy Mummy' that she took of her mum on a sunny day on Rossnowlagh beach in County Donegal, which, she says, is their favourite happy place. Mabel emerged as the people's choice award winner, competing against photographers from Australia, the USA and Canada amongst others.”
“We must avoid blunt, one-size-fits-all restrictions that could damage our tourism economy. The motion focuses too much on absolutes and lacks the balance that our communities deserve. Holiday homes and short-term lets are not inherently negative, but, without effective regulation, they can become problematic, and we have heard good examples of that this evening. We need policies that safeguard local families, ensure that housing remains affordable and support tourism — an industry that so many rely on. <BR /> <BR />The Ulster Unionist Party supports the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />The motion warns that the issue threatens the social fabric of communities. That is true, but we must not overlook the fact that tourism — the self-catering sector in particular — supports thousands of jobs and businesses across Northern Ireland. The challenge, therefore, is to find balance and protect community life whilst sustaining livelihoods. <BR /> <BR />The motion calls on the Executive to bring forward proposals to address the impacts. I support that call, provided that the proposals are targeted, proportionate and informed by reliable data. <BR /> <BR />The Ulster Unionist Party believes in empowering local authorities to manage concentrations of holiday homes through their local development plans, in line with the Executive's housing supply strategy.”
“The motion rightly expresses concern about rising house prices and the availability of affordable housing. However, our response must be based on data, not assumptions. The Department for Communities has confirmed that around 6% of homes across Northern Ireland have no usual residents. In the Causeway Coast and Glens area, however, that figure, as Sian said, is 13%. That includes vacant, renovated and holiday homes, but we still do not know precisely how many of those are genuine second properties. We also need to acknowledge that our wider housing challenge runs deeper that this one issue. The shortage of affordable and social housing has persisted for far too long. Placing the blame solely on the tourism sector will not resolve that. The problem is far more complex and demands long-term investment in new and affordable housing stock.”
“Local schools such as Mill Strand Integrated Primary School and Nursery and Hezlett Primary School have seen their enrolments decline as young families have moved away. This is not simply a housing issue; it is about the long-term sustainability of our communities and the services that support them.”
“The result is that many young people, who would once have started families or built careers in those towns, are now forced to look elsewhere. The consequences of that can be seen clearly on the ground. In the off-season, streets fall silent, and communities that were once thriving year-round are left with fewer permanent residents.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak to the motion, which highlights the growing impact of second and holiday homes on our rural and coastal communities, particularly along the north coast. <BR /> <BR />The motion recognises the impact of holiday homes and short-term lets on local communities. That recognition is important. There are 549 registered self-catering properties in Portrush, and, as has been mentioned, there are a further 532 such properties in Portstewart. Those figures from Tourism NI show the extent to which the market has become concentrated in a small area. The effect of that on local housing availability is significant. When hundreds of homes are occupied only part of the year, that drives up prices and reduces supply for those who wish to live and work locally.”
“Minister, thank you for your statement. You said that an independent environmental protection agency would have regulatory powers without political interference. One of the proposed themes is better compliance. How will the agency differentiate between deliberate discharge by NI Water, for example, and discharge from an old septic tank that no one knows is still working? How will it differentiate between phosphates that NI Water adds and phosphates discharged via household sources?”
“The school fielded a total of three teams, with each reaching the semi-final stage. All three teams have done their school and County Fermanagh proud. It is clear that we have a strong, vibrant agriculture sector in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Those pupils represent the next generation of farmers and rural leaders who have been equipped with knowledge and the drive to make a difference. Their success reminds us of the importance of investing in rural education and supporting initiatives that help young people to grow and make their mark in the agri-food industry. I trust that all Members will join me in congratulating the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team on this remarkable achievement. The boys, their teachers and their families have done their school, their county and Northern Ireland proud.”
“As part of the challenge, the boys developed a project called "One Health: The Link Between Animal, Human and Plant Health", which tackled the critical issue of soil sustainability. They developed a soil analysis results guide to simplify complex data for farmers, distributed it to local vets, marts and agri-stores and hosted a "Healthy Soil, Healthy Future" conference, which raised an impressive £4,120. In total, the boys raised over £6,500 for Air Ambulance NI and Rural Support, which shows just how education and agriculture can come together to deliver real-world impact in the community. <BR /> <BR />I commend not only the boys but Ruth Moore, their College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) adviser, and Enniskillen Royal Grammar School itself.”
“I commend the outstanding achievement of four pupils from Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Conor Phair, Mackenzie Wilson, Jensen Lindsey and Alfie Thompson, who were recently crowned overall winners of the 2025 ABP Aberdeen Angus Youth Challenge. The four young County Fermanagh farmers claimed the top spot, competing against 20 teams across Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Since they entered the competition in September 2024, it is safe to say that the boys were kept busy. On qualifying for the final, they received five calves from ABP Food Group to rear through to finishing. They went on to receive skills development in the beef industry on a 12-month programme, winning a £1,000 cash prize for their school at the end of it.”
“Minister, you talk about respecting the UFU. The 11,500 members of the UFU have been represented, and it is those very people, with their total of 26,000 farms, who contribute to Northern Ireland's world-leading agri-food industry. If you do not respond to those voices, how can you expect the industry to survive?”
“Do you intend to publish that report, Minister?”
“Minister, you recently responded to a question for written answer from me in exactly the same vein, but do you consider speed restriction at accident hotspots to be an additional measure that can be implemented?”
“It is deeply concerning that that narrative is being driven by clear ideological agendas rather than by objective, lawful and evidence-based oversight. Farmers deserve protection, not persecution. The Minister must make it clear that there is no threat to livestock or poultry production and that decisive measures are being taken to ensure the security of those who feed our nation.”
“He should explain what steps have been taken to address the situation and to prevent a recurrence, confirm how many farmers have been impacted on and explain why it took nearly seven months for the information to come to light. I also ask him to detail what support or compensation will be made available to those affected. The incident has further damaged the confidence of the farming community in public authorities. Trust is at an all-time low, so it must be rebuilt through transparency, accountability and immediate action from the Department. <BR /> <BR />Recent reports citing investigations by those activist groups, based on illegally obtained information, have attempted to paint Northern Ireland's farming sector in an appalling light.”
“Investigations into animal welfare must be conducted by the appropriate statutory authorities, not by politically motivated campaigners whose ultimate aim is the promotion of veganism and the destruction of Northern Ireland's agri-food sector. <BR /> <BR />Farmers who provide data to public agencies in good faith must be able to trust that it will be handled responsibly. Many now face sleepless nights knowing that their personal details are in the hands of extremists. I therefore call on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to outline urgently the full timeline of events, including when the breach occurred, when it was discovered and when affected individuals were informed.”
“I raise the issue of the significant data breach at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), in which farmers' personal details were inadvertently released through a freedom of information request. The incident raises serious concerns about data security in public bodies. Clearly, lessons were not learned from the PSNI's catastrophic data breach in 2023. At AFBI, proper safeguards and oversight measures were either inadequate or ignored. It was a careless and almost certainly avoidable failure that has placed hard-working farmers and their families at risk. The release of personal information has reportedly been exploited by activist groups to target and infiltrate farms under false pretences. Such behaviour amounts to vigilantism.”
“With only a handful of months left before 2026, when the Shared Prosperity Fund will be replaced by the new growth fund, time is quickly running out for clarity and planning. The Labour slogan, "Things Can Only Get Better", has yet to ring true for Northern Ireland; in fact, for many community organisations, the opposite seems to be the case. What we need now is not more rhetoric but decisive action, genuine engagement and a clear plan that ensures that Northern Ireland receives its fair share of funding, with local decision-making at its core. Words of praise for our region's valuable services, as expressed by Rachel Reeves on her recent visit to Belfast, need to be matched by a solid undertaking to match EU funding in full and support the community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland.”
“The delivery plan for that funding will be developed and led by the Welsh Government, with local authorities, community organisations and other stakeholders being involved in determining how the money will be used, alongside a full public consultation. That model provides transparency and accountability, ensuring that local voices are heard in shaping how the fund delivers meaningful outcomes. It is exactly that type of model that needs to be replicated in Northern Ireland, where it can be most effective. <BR /> <BR />The local growth fund will be vital to the groups and organisations that carry out such incredible work across our communities, supporting those with disabilities and others into employment, skills and social cohesion.”
“Beyond that, there is no clarity about the local growth fund, and the absence of detail on how the fund will operate is leading to an atmosphere of deep uncertainty for many community and voluntary groups that rely on that support to deliver essential services. Without clear guidance, those organisations are unable to plan or retain staff, leaving Northern Ireland once again in limbo. This is not simply about funding being delayed by Westminster; it is about real people, real progress and the ongoing support for those in our communities who need it most. <BR /> <BR />The UK local growth fund must include a dedicated regional fund for Northern Ireland beyond 2026. By comparison, on 14 October, it was announced that Wales is to receive £500 million from the local growth fund.”
“It supported almost 24,000 people over two years; 6,500 people moved into employment; 3,445 jobs were sustained for at least six months; and almost 9,000 individuals progressed into further education or training. Those figures demonstrate the profound difference that properly resourced initiatives can make in transforming lives, strengthening communities and boosting local economies. <BR /> <BR />Now we wait to see whether the successor to the SPF, the local growth fund, will deliver. We are told that it will support at the same cash level as the 2025-26 SPF allocation: £45 million a year.”
“After Brexit, as other Members have noted, the British Government introduced the Shared Prosperity Fund as a replacement for the European social fund and the European regional development fund. However, closer analysis shows that the totality of the Shared Prosperity Fund has not matched what was delivered through the EU structural funds, delivering £127 million over three years: an average reduction of £23 million a year compared with the EU funds. <BR /> <BR />Despite the shortfall, the Shared Prosperity Fund delivered tangible results. Between April 2023 and March 2025, £57 million was committed to helping Northern Ireland tackle economic inactivity and promote opportunity. It was effective.”
“I thank the signatories to the motion for highlighting the concerns of the community and voluntary sector. Northern Ireland was long a beneficiary of European funding. I agree with the proposer of the motion's comments on how valuable that funding was. We have seen at first hand how it transformed communities and gave opportunities, particularly to disadvantaged rural areas such as my constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. The EU regional development fund supported entrepreneurs and small businesses, while the European social fund supported the valuable fabric of our society, the community and voluntary sector, to give people a real chance to live improved and purposeful lives.”
“Northern Ireland cannot afford to be left vulnerable, so we must act now to ensure that our infrastructure is resilient against future severe weather events.”
“The Education Authority must also improve communication with schools and parents to avoid the confusion that happened during the recent storm and to develop mobile alerts for all schools, with urgent out-of-hours information going directly to the management boards of schools. <BR /> <BR />We support the call for the First Minister and deputy First Minister to lead a cross-departmental review to improve emergency response systems and strengthen infrastructure resilience, thus ensuring that communities and essential services are better protected. We also call on the Minister for the Economy to provide assurances that vital public services will not be placed at risk as we transition to renewable energy.”
“Lessons need to be learned, and we must not allow our energy security to be compromised by delays or over-reliance on a single provider. <BR /> <BR />Additionally, in Northern Ireland, we have no framework in place for storm damage compensation, as the guaranteed standard of service for electricity supply typically does not apply during exceptional weather events. That means that not only did many face a loss of earnings as a result of outages, but they failed to be adequately compensated for their loss of electricity supply. That situation highlights the urgent need for clearer contingency planning, alongside the better coordination between Departments and agencies that other Members have mentioned.”
“We quite simply cannot risk reliance on a single provider of energy. <BR /> <BR />There will be concern in Northern Ireland around the vulnerability of our supply, as recent storms have shown that we simply have not been able to cope. Furthermore, when things go wrong, response times for maintenance have been inadequate. For example, we saw after storm Éowyn that some Fibrus customers were left without broadband for as long as three weeks. In a day and age when we all rely on the internet for working from home or communicating with family, that is simply unacceptable. In addition, the stability of our electricity supply requires urgent solutions, but time is not on our side. A fourth power plant would take five years to build, and the indications are that the North/South interconnector will not be ready until 2031.”