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 thank the Member for his intervention. He makes a good point. I will come on to something else to do with NIE at a later point in my words. <BR /> <BR />In my rural constituency, good infrastructure and planning are as vital as they are anywhere else, yet it is rural places such as Fermanagh and South Tyrone that bear the brunt of our infrastructure failures. The Economy Committee recently met the Utility Regulator, who worryingly confirmed how close we came to a Northern Ireland-wide blackout due to a single point of failure. Further engagement with the Utility Regulator by me and my colleague revealed that Coolkeeragh was offline due to maintenance, and Ballylumford was also offline, leaving Kilroot as the only fully functioning station, effectively making Northern Ireland wholly reliant on a single supplier.”
“Many in my constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone were concerned in recent weeks when school closure notifications were delayed, leaving parents unsure as to whether they needed to call at the school to collect their children.”
“I welcome the motion. It is undeniable that extreme weather patterns are increasing with devastating effect, as we saw at the weekend in Newcastle. My thoughts are with the people of Newcastle, who, today, are clearing up and suffering the after-effects of the destruction. <BR /> <BR />The recent storms have exposed a critical weakness in our energy infrastructure that demands immediate attention. We would all struggle to name someone who, this year, has not been affected by outages caused by either storm Éowyn or, to a lesser extent, storm Amy. Our infrastructure was simply not able to cope, and many of us were left without electricity and broadband to operate businesses and farms and to communicate with colleagues and our loved ones.”
“Minister, what is your assessment of the benefit of the new NIAS target for ambulance turnaround times? Do you agree that that target will help ensure that more vehicles and crews are freed up to respond to patient needs?”
“Will the Minister provide an update on the Mid South West growth deal investment in the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh and the role that that attraction will play in the upcoming celebrations?”
“If the Assembly is to pass legislation in the shadow of RHI, that legislation must restore trust. That means openness, accountability and fiscal discipline, not another blank cheque for a Department to manage behind closed doors.”
“I would welcome the Minister's views on anaerobic digestion as a solution for agri by-products and renewable energy targets. <BR /> <BR />The Ulster Unionist Party recognises the need to move on from RHI but will not support a process that simply rebrands it. There must be clear reporting obligations, independent auditing by the Northern Ireland Audit Office and a statutory duty of transparency that requires the Department to publish annual data on payments, inspections and administrative costs. Only then can we say that we have truly learned the lessons of RHI and begun to rebuild the public's confidence in how Northern Ireland manages its energy policy. The Ulster Unionist Party supports the principle of closure but will not support a process that reopens old wounds. The Bill must deliver closure in substance, not just in name.”
“A cost of £17 million for administration, including inspections, compliance and IT systems, is a significant amount for a Department that is still rebuilding public trust after the previous RHI scheme. I ask the Minister what measures will be in place to ensure that the compliance regime delivers value for money and operates independently of those who managed the original scheme. <BR /> <BR />An important consideration is whether, on the basis of this RHI scheme, any future new renewable energy scheme will find difficulties in attracting participants and whether, should there not be enough uptake of such schemes, we will continue giving money back to Westminster. I urge the Department to seriously consider anaerobic digestion as part of the food and energy security debate.”
“The Department's documentation shows up to a fourfold increase in tariffs for small and medium biomass boilers; for example, a lower medium tier-1 tariff is rising from 2·2p per kilowatt-hour to 6·1p per kilowatt-hour. What justification exists for such significant increases, and how can the Minister assure the Assembly that it will not, once again, deliver excessive rates of return to participants? The target return is 12%, yet there is no clear evidence that it will be achieved consistently or that outliers will not benefit disproportionately. <BR /> <BR />The total projected cost of closure payments up to 2036 is £213 million: £196 million in scheme payments and £17 million for administration. That mirrors the cost of simply keeping the scheme open, so where are the savings?”
“Many farming families who were encouraged to attend the workshops were innocent participants, and they are the same farming families who are constantly under the cosh today. We owe it to them to ensure fairness and transparency in bringing the sorry saga to a close. Therefore, I ask the Minister why the Department cannot reconstitute any legacy arrangements under a separate mechanism with a new governance model to help rebuild trust. <BR /> <BR />Before the Assembly grants the Department new powers, we must be satisfied that the lessons of the RHI inquiry have been fully implemented. Were Sir Patrick Coghlin's recommendations fully considered when drafting the Bill? The public deserve assurance that the Department is not simply repeating history.”
“We cannot overestimate the reputational damage that ongoing RHI payments continue to inflict on public confidence in government in Northern Ireland. As other Members have said, the term "RHI" still provokes public anger and mistrust, and the Department should fully assess the reputational risk of maintaining payments under that name for another decade. <BR /> <BR />It must be stressed that many boiler owners joined the scheme in good faith. Under the leadership of the then Minister, Michelle O'Neill, the Department of Agriculture organised 60 workshops up until the end of 2015 to explain the benefits of the scheme. Indeed, the scheme ensured tangible benefits by producing heating for poultry houses, which improved environmental conditions for chickens, reduced infection and improved performance.”
“Officials insist that any changes will follow due process, but we have seen how due process can become a tick-box exercise rather than real accountability. If the Bill is to grant such broad regulatory powers, I request that the Minister show how it could also include statutory reporting requirements and Assembly oversight to match.”
“The technology and the data exist. Without ongoing metering, independent verification and advance notice of inspections, the system risks reverting to the same complacency that led to previous failures. I await the Minister's comment on that. <BR /> <BR />Clause 1(6)(a) allows the Department to alter the scheme "from time to time". That acts as a potential get-out clause, meaning that, after the Bill passes, the Department could continue to adjust payments or conditions without returning to the Assembly to seek a fresh mandate for doing so.”
“<BR /> <BR />Today, I seek assurance from the Minister that the Department will ensure that sufficient safeguards are in place to guarantee that boilers are genuinely in use, not sitting idle while payments continue. Others have referred to the payment tariffs. Such safeguards include unannounced inspections and independent verification of annual declarations. Good-faith participants should have no objections to that. The Department has said that it does not have the capacity to carry out meter readings, now that, from April 2026, Ofgem will step away, but that is not an acceptable reason for weakening safeguards. Rather, it is an argument for strengthening internal capacity. If, as I asked in Committee last week, we could measure heat output between 2017 and 2019, why can the same mechanism not continue to be used?”
“The Bill looks more like a legacy payment scheme than a genuine closure scheme. The Assembly must be honest and transparent with the public, particularly when confidence remains at an all-time low following the legacy of RHI. My question to the Minister is therefore this: are we achieving financial savings, or is it just a case of rebranding and rebadging the scheme? <BR /> <BR />Members will recall that the original RHI scheme collapsed because controls were too weak, oversight was inconsistent and accountability was blurred. Under the Department's current proposal, however, metering will end, quarterly readings will stop and some inspections will even be announced in advance. It feels as though we have not learnt lessons, because that risks setting us up for failure and potentially another scandal.”
“I support those Members who have sought reassurances and expressed concerns about the RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill. The UUP supports the scheme's closure in principle. I share the Chair of the Economy Committee's view that the Bill may prove contentious. Fellow members of the Committee have already outlined some of their worries and concerns. <BR /> <BR />The messaging around the Bill needs to be clear and concise and give the assurances that the public seek. The public and many others will struggle to understand how the Bill can be presented as a scheme closure when the Department admits that payments will continue until 2036, and, in some cases, at an increased rate. If we extend payments for another decade, we will be not closing the scheme but rebranding it.”
“Let us reject completely and unequivocally any attempt to glorify terrorism in our schools or anywhere else in our shared society.”
“As a representative of Fermanagh and South Tyrone and someone who believes deeply in the rule of law and peace, I find it abhorrent that any organisation would host or facilitate an event that seeks to rewrite history and glorify terror. Our schools and community buildings should be places of learning and reconciliation, not platforms for the veneration of those who took innocent lives. We owe it to the victims, men like officers Gilliland and Clements and every family that still bears the scars of IRA violence to speak out firmly against that revisionism. There can be no moral equivalence between those who enforced the law and those who waged war against it. Let us continue to honour the true heroes of our society: those who upheld peace, served their communities and gave their lives to protect others.”
“The truth is this: Jim Lynagh's elimination at Loughgall in 1987 saved countless lives. It brought to an end the murderous ambitions of a man who showed no mercy and sought only to spread fear and division.”
“<BR /> <BR />Among his many crimes was the heinous attack on Ballygawley RUC station that led to the brutal murders of two dedicated police officers, George Gilliland and William Clements. Both served with courage and commitment, protecting communities in my constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Their loss is still deeply felt by their families, colleagues and all who value peace and justice. To glorify or romanticise Jim Lynagh's actions is to dishonour the memory of every innocent life destroyed by the Provisional IRA's campaign of terror. It sends a dangerous message to our young people that violence can somehow be justified, that terrorism can be excused and that murderers can be heroes. That is not the way in which for Northern Ireland to move forward.”
“I express my deep outrage at the so-called Jim Lynagh Winter School event, which took place in Lisnaskea over the weekend. It was held, unbelievably, in the grounds of a former place of education, St Eugene's Primary School. It is utterly shameful that a man such as Jim Lynagh, the ruthless and violent leader of the Tyrone/Monaghan brigade of the Provisional IRA, should be commemorated in any way, let alone in a former education setting. Lynagh was no hero. He was a man responsible for some of the most brutal acts of terrorism during the darkest days of the Troubles. Let us be absolutely clear about whom Jim Lynagh was: he was a key architect of a campaign of murder and destruction and was responsible for multiple attacks on members of the security forces and innocent civilians alike.”
“I do. Thank you for the intervention. <BR /> <BR />I thank Members for contributing to the debate. I urge you to support amendment No 1.”
“Our amendment highlights the need for clear incentives for green hydrogen and anaerobic digestion. Those technologies require a route to market and a framework that supports the innovation. <BR /> <BR />I thank Members for their contributions.”
“We have long acknowledged the importance of tackling fuel poverty whilst reducing emissions, but we cannot achieve that if our grid remains outdated and underinvested in. It is unfit for the scale of renewable energy that we need, and, in the process, it is failing consumers. <BR /> <BR />The call for an independent review of SONI and NIE Networks is not about apportioning blame but about ensuring that the infrastructure that underpins our energy system is robust and delivering value for money. We must understand the disparity in the connection costs between here and Great Britain and why our progress on grid updates continues to lag behind. The public is forced to bear the brunt of the costs. They deserve transparency on the state of our grid.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank the Members who tabled the motion and the amendments and those who have contributed to the debate. <BR /> <BR />I emphasise that the debate addresses a matter of energy security. Amendment No 1 strengthens the crux of the motion and the underlying structural issues that must be addressed to ensure affordable and secure energy for all. Yes, the motion is about affordability and fairness to households and businesses, which is critical to address fuel poverty, but the UUP amendment speaks to the reality of energy constraints across Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />We cannot continue to accept vague reassurances from the Department that there is no problem with our infrastructure. Recent security of supply issues at Kilroot suggest otherwise.”
“The issue of major infrastructure projects has been raised. I will raise again the major infrastructure for the people of Fermanagh: the Enniskillen southern bypass. Minister, what assurances can you give them that the project will be expedited as quickly as possible?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I share Members' concern, and I think of the producer affected. <BR /> <BR />Minister, the vaccination of poultry and most captive birds against avian influenza is not currently permitted. Why does DAERA continue to prohibit avian flu vaccination for poultry in Northern Ireland despite the threat of outbreaks and the economic importance of the poultry industry?”
“You stated that the scheme will include more flexible options to respond to the needs of people who have additional barriers. What steps will be taken to ensure that rural employers and jobseekers can access the scheme equitably, given that there may be transport and digital connectivity problems?”
“Minister, I welcome your statement and the funding for the scheme.”
“A recent response to a question for written answer that I posed to the Minister for the Economy assured me that the appointment to the vacant post would be made on merit. I welcome that, but the Invest NI board needs greater regional representation in order to have a voice from areas such as the south-west. Representation from all regions would demonstrate regional balance in economic policy that is fair to and inclusive of all regions in Northern Ireland. In short, we support regional balance, but it must work for the entirety of Northern Ireland. Let us ensure that every community has a fair shot at growth, investment, opportunity and prosperity.”
“The lowest allocation was this year, with 1·3% for 2024-25. <BR /> <BR />For regional balance to work, people in all corners of Northern Ireland need to feel that the economy is delivering for them. I echo the call for the Minister for the Economy to publish an assessment of the progress that has been made under the subregional economic plan, in order to give a true picture of economic progress. The local economic partnerships are vital for assessing barriers to and opportunities for economic growth, but we desperately need to see some form of outcome from those partnerships and a clear plan from the Department as to how it intends to support them. <BR /> <BR />The recent resignation of Mr Kennedy from the Invest NI board has, rightly, raised questions about how regional economic interests are being represented here.”
“On the other hand, the Mid South West growth deal's investment of £252 million is spread across three council areas — Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Mid Ulster District Council and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council — meaning that funds need to be stretched further in order to support real economic development. Invest NI has reported that, in 2024-25, it supported 236 investments in the north-west, with £22 million in financial support and £165 million in total investment. That level of investment has simply not been replicated in the south-west. The local press recently highlighted the lack of funding for sports and community organisations in the area. Over the past three years, Sport NI has allocated a total of 3·25% of its funding to the Fermanagh and Omagh area.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. When we look at the A5, we also need to consider our spending priorities. The A5 is an Executive flagship programme, but other Members have mentioned an all-Ireland rail strategy. Where is the magic money tree for everything that we need? I am, of course, looking for jobs for the south-west. At the moment, businesses in the south-west have to deal with lacklustre infrastructure, yet they still manage to export globally. I want to see that being improved. <BR /> <BR />The north-west has already been earmarked a £290 million investment package through the Derry City and Strabane region city deal.”
“I will put forward a perspective from the south-west. I thank Sinéad for proposing the motion. The Ulster Unionist Party shares the concerns around regional imbalance that are raised in the motion. However, we believe that regional balance should be tailored to benefit all of Northern Ireland. While investment in the north-west is welcome and necessary, it must not come at the expense of other regions such as the south-west. <BR /> <BR />The story in my constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone has been one of cuts and job losses in recent years. Last year, BT axed 300 jobs, and this year, jobs were lost at Severfield, which is a leading employer in Ballinamallard. Those are only a few cases from the south-west that have exacerbated the feeling of neglect and avoidance.”
“From what I hear, it has been broadly welcomed across the city and perhaps could be a model for elsewhere in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />We must see progress on Tribeca. For too long the site has seen little or no progress, but, with determination and vision, it can become a reality. My friend Mr Brett wants the development over the line, and, if he puts as much passion into it as he put into getting Hill Street pedestrianised, he will see progress.”
“I have seen the plans: it is a promising development that can unlock further massive opportunity for Belfast. <BR /> <BR />On the wider issue of dereliction, we should continue to press for greater mechanisms to tackle it, such as introducing a vacant land tax that may incentivise property owners to develop or release unused sites, unlocking opportunities for investment and growth. However, such proposals must be examined in detail to avoid any adverse impacts or unintended consequences that could cause a chill factor. We are seeing progress in the long-overdue Dilapidation Bill, which I am keen to see progressed, and there is an expectation that it will become a catalyst for growth in our communities. <BR /> <BR />I commend Belfast City Council for the Vacant to Vibrant programme.”
“What should have been a symbol of regeneration, as others have pointed out, became and has remained a site of neglect, impacting on the city's appearance and affecting the economy in the retail and tourism sectors. Community pride, in particular, has been affected, and Members have spoken movingly about the impact on the communities living there. <BR /> <BR />Derelict properties and vacant land result in lost revenue from unpaid rates, which are funds that could support essential local services. That impacts on footfall, harming businesses and undermining Belfast's potential as a vibrant hub of activity for the entirety of Northern Ireland. A proactive approach to tackling the issues is essential, and it is encouraging, as I have said, to see that consensus. Progress is needed in Tribeca.”
“I thank Mr Brett for securing the Adjournment debate. I have certainly learnt a lot about the area and the problems with Tribeca in North Belfast. I hope that Members will not mind if, coming from Fermanagh and South Tyrone, I contribute to the debate. Belfast's dereliction and lack of development affects every part of Northern Ireland, and Tribeca, unfortunately, has become a symbol of delay and, possibly, missed opportunities. Having heard Members speak today, I am encouraged that the resolve is here, and, with the work and the consensus of Belfast City Council, that is positive. I hear good notes on that subject. <BR /> <BR />Dereliction in Belfast city centre and the lack of development, particularly around the Tribeca site, demands urgent attention.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement, which will be welcomed in the many small, rural community halls that span Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Minister, you mentioned that you have partnered with Co-operation Ireland. Will you detail any engagement that your Department has had with Co-operation Ireland on the Northern Ireland community infrastructure fund?”
“We must use the resources that are already in place and build a skills ecosystem that is rooted in local engagement and that targets those most in need.”
“<BR /> <BR />A quick search of the Shared Prosperity Fund for Northern Ireland reveals that at least 18 agencies or programmes across the Province support skills development for the economically inactive: 16- to 24-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds; women; the over-50s; and those with disabilities or health conditions. The programmes offer flexible upskilling and training. That is not to say that we cannot learn from the outworkings of Skillnet Ireland, which supports over 18,000 businesses in the Republic, but why deviate from our largest jobs market, which is the United Kingdom? <BR /> <BR />We must support those who are disconnected from work or education. We cannot accept persistent skills gaps when employers are crying out for talent.”
“Are we not in danger of diverting scarce resources in order to create yet more agencies that would replace local enterprise partnerships and the labour market partnerships that were established under the previous Minister's subregional economic plan? Any new learning or initiatives to support skills development in Northern Ireland should feed into those established local partnerships and build on local knowledge and collaboration. <BR /> <BR />We already have the Northern Ireland Skills Council (NISC) in further education and the Hospitality and Tourism Skills (HATS) initiative in tourism. We call for collaboration between the Department for the Economy and the Department of Education to develop the careers portal and take that work forward.”
“Employers have told me that graduates often lack sufficient practical skills for the roles that they enter and therefore require significant induction training. That suggests a clear gap in identifying and developing on-the-job aptitudes, even among our graduates. We have also heard that 25,000 young people, which is equivalent to 12·4% of all 16- to 24-year-olds in Northern Ireland, are not in education, employment or training. We want to see that potential developed. <BR /> <BR />The Ulster Unionist Party can see merit in the motion, but we cannot support the amendment, because what it proposes would add yet another layer of unnecessary bureaucracy.”
“It is right to acknowledge the success of Invest NI, which has made significant progress in the past year. Invest NI has invested £631 million in our economy across over 2,000 projects, exceeding its targets by 20%. Those projects are expected to create 3,020 new high-quality jobs across Northern Ireland. In 2024-25, 73% of those jobs paid above the Northern Ireland private-sector median wage. Yes, many of the jobs stem from existing linkages between further and higher education and industry, but that is tangible evidence of the valuable collaborative work that is being done between our education institutions and the business sector. <BR /> <BR />According to the UK employer skills survey 2024, however, about 33,400 employees in Northern Ireland have skills gaps.”
“The Ulster Unionist Party wants to see a prosperous Northern Ireland where the economy works for everyone by providing access to good jobs, fair wages and opportunities that are extended to all. Skills development is key. It is a natural conduit between potential and opportunity. When skills match business needs, everyone benefits: the individual, the employer and Northern Ireland as a whole.”
“Restoring Sliabh Beagh, alongside other degrading peatlands, will require stronger enforcement and regulation, where needed, in order to prevent negligent fires and to increase education on the dangers that peatlands face. That will be done through better fire prevention interventions and raising the local community's awareness of the part that it can play in protecting that valuable asset. Protecting peatlands such as Sliabh Beagh is essential for our climate, for nature and for the community. I welcome the Minister's new peatlands strategy, and I will monitor its progress in restoring those vital ecosystems. <BR /> <BR />In closing, I thank the Member for securing the Adjournment debate and again commend the River Blackwater Catchment Trust for the valuable work that it does.”
“That enabled the purchase of drone surveillance and infrared technology, which we saw demonstrated.”
“I commend Roy Spence and Alan McCabe from the River Blackwater Catchment Trust for bringing those interested parties together to increase awareness and inform them of the priorities of the trust and the success that it has had in securing Shared Island funding and PEACE PLUS funding to protect the peatlands. The trust received funding to the tune of £6 million as part of the Shared Island Fund this year.”
“Healthy peatlands are good for our climate, reduce the risk of floods and support vibrant plant life. When peatlands are degraded and dry, the fire risk intensifies, as we saw at first hand in May. A startling report by the BBC this summer revealed that it could take thousands of years for Sliabh Beagh's peatlands to return to ecological health. <BR /> <BR />I commend organisations such as the River Blackwater Catchment Trust, which is working to bring the ecosystem back and raise public awareness. I recently attended the stakeholder event, as Colm mentioned, at the Sliabh Beagh Hotel, which highlighted the importance of a coordinated approach to the prevention, detection and fighting of wildfires.”
“Soberingly, half the peatland on Sliabh Beagh was burned in a wildfire last May. I well remember driving towards Fivemiletown from Belfast and seeing the skies lit up red and the palls of smoke. It is something that no one would want to see. Wildfires have significant financial implications. In the case of Sliabh Beagh, it took 200 firefighters to bring that blaze under control, at a cost to the public purse of £1 million. <BR /> <BR />The impact of wildfire on peatland is not only financial. There is no cost that can be put on the catastrophic loss of ecology and biodiversity at Sliabh Beagh. The peatlands at Sliabh Beagh offer many great benefits, such as the storing of carbon, the regulation of water, and shelter for the Irish hare, the pine marten, the red grouse, the golden plover and the endangered hen harrier, amongst others.”