Roy Beggs
East Antrim · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I declare an interest as owner of 25 acres of agricultural land; also, my parents run a small agricultural business. <BR /> <BR />There is a shortage of fertiliser, and the Minister has referred to the present difficulties in Ukraine that are contributing to that. That shortage exists even at the exorbitant cost of £1,000 per ton.”
“of public bodies in Northern Ireland. That is vital in order to reassure the public that money is being spent appropriately. That is to be done independently.”
“There has been a very close working relationship and a close partnership. Where issues needed highlighted and where the Assembly, through its scrutiny mechanisms, needed to dig deeper to get better value and better accountability, that occurred.”
“<BR /> <BR />I also want to reflect on the close working relationship that there has been between the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Northern Ireland Audit Office, which the C&AG oversees and manages, and the Assembly, particularly the Public Accounts Committee.”
“As we consider this motion to nominate a new Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland, it is important that we reflect on the importance that the role has in any democracy. The C&AG in Northern Ireland is the head of the Northern Ireland Audit Office.”
“P&O has brutally cast its workforce aside in a Dickensian fashion. There was no consultation or notice, and the company delivered a live message by video link. Will the Minister clarify whether the P&O redundancy announcement is covered by maritime law, Northern Ireland employment law or GB employment law?”
The complete record
Every one of 1,772 lines we hold for Roy Beggs, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 36 of 36.
“No one could fail to be moved by the story that I heard of a mother who gave birth yesterday being forced to flee her home into a world of uncertainty, without even shelter to protect her young child.”
“Riots escalated out of control, particularly when the regime used its army against its own people. A large section of the country was no longer controlled by the Government. IS, supported by international jihadists and discontented Iraqi Sunni extremists, then turned on other opposition groups to impose its fundamentalist view of Islam. The Yazidi community has been forced to flee its villages, and it is not that long ago that we saw images of those people making their arduous journey through parching sun over mountains. Women were sold as slaves. Even last night, we saw that hundreds of thousands of Kurds from northern Syria were forced to flee to Turkey following yet another attack.”
“<BR /> <BR />In June this year, hundreds of thousands of inhabitants of Mosul, including the remaining Christian community, fled ISIS. During August in Iraq, which, as others said, is one of the oldest centres of Christianity, 100,000 Christians are reported to have abandoned their villages in the Nineveh plains following ISIS attacks. All this is clearly and grossly against a very basic human right. Article 18 is, as others said, the right of freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Rather than civil and religious freedom for all, those with alternative beliefs to ISIS are advised to leave, convert to Islam or die. During 2011, the Syrian Opposition expressed their opposition to the ruling Ba'ath Party and against the leadership of President Assad.”
“Initially inspired by al-Qaeda, Sunni fundamentalists ISIS have also attacked Shia mosques, funerals, religious shrines and neighbourhoods. It has been said that even al-Qaeda has recognised the brutality and futility of what has been happening and has backed away from some of the actions. <BR /> <BR />On 24 July 2013, 14 Shia truck drivers were singled out and murdered at Sulaiman Bek. This incident has similarities to the Kingsmills massacre. In that case, Protestant workmen were singled out and murdered by the IRA. It is not that long ago that we faced similar sectarian murders in Northern Ireland. We must all ensure that we protect our peace and ensure that the next generation here and elsewhere in the world is tolerant and protective of the rights of others.”
“I thank Mr Wells for tabling this important motion, which I support. The persecution of the Christian minority and, indeed, other religious minorities in the area controlled by the so-called Islamic State has shocked the world by its brutality. In the 1990s, there were estimated to be more than 1·2 million Christians in Iraq, but now, of a population of some 35 million people, it has been estimated that fewer than 400,000 Christians remain. As was said, religious leaders and bishops have been kidnapped. Businesses and churches have also been bombed and attacked, even on Christmas Day. A Christian Minister of the Environment and public representatives have also been singled out and targeted by the militants in recent attacks.”
“The Minister indicated that there would have to be £160 million in savings: does he have to save all that, or is it £80 million or now £60 million? It is essential that this project continues not only for the people of the north-west but for everyone in Northern Ireland.”
“We cannot play about with it; it is essential that this is put to bed quickly and that the necessary funding be found. I support the Health Minister unequivocally in that that additional money must be found to ensure that this happens. I am not playing politics. <BR /> <BR />It would be helpful if the Minister were to clarify something in his letter to the Health Committee in August in which he indicated that —”
“My understanding of the 2011 Budget was that that money would not be available to the Health Department, so I am pleased that those who set that Budget agree that there were failings in what they did and are trying to correct it quietly. We will get better value for money if it is done in a strategic fashion rather than it being dealt with through in-year monitoring, because that mechanism can create a stop/go effect. <BR /> <BR />It is vital that the Altnagelvin project is put back on track and that the essential staff who will be required to man the units — professionals who will be giving up secure and important jobs elsewhere — feel totally secure about their futures so that they can be attracted to undergo the necessary training to man these posts.”
“Minister, what has happened since then? <BR /> <BR />In 2011, it was also indicated by the Finance Minister that the Health Minister would have flexibility in his budget without recourse to the Executive but that he could not bid for in-year monitoring and had to live within his budget. Since then, inflation in the UK has generally been lower than had been expected. Yes, I understand that health inflation is always considerably higher than general inflation. However, during those three and a half years, approximately £300 million of additional money in in-year monitoring has been provided.”
“Those who are following cancer and health issues will be aware that the cancer centre in Belfast is reaching capacity. Therefore, unless it is built and operated, there is the possibility that it will even affect me and my family. I feel passionately that this must proceed on the schedule that was agreed. <BR /> <BR />On coming into office in May 2011, Minister Poots advised:”
“I understand that capital budget has always been available, but it has been the resource budget that, in previous times, created some difficulty. We are being told again that it is the resource budget that is causing difficulty today. There is no point in building such a centre with the resource and not manning it and providing a service. Therefore, it is essential that the project be taken through to completion. <BR /> <BR />In 2011, the outgoing Health Minister expressed his concern about the health budget. He questioned what had been given and expressed concern that the opening could be put in jeopardy with the budget that had been handed to him. I agree with other Members that this is not just about the north-west; this is a regional centre, and a centre for Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Members for bringing forward this important motion. I, too, rise to support the motion. I recognise publicly the important regional role that Altnagelvin Hospital plays and will play increasingly in the future, not only for the city of Londonderry and the north-west region but, as has been said, its linkages with other hospitals such as Coleraine and the South West Hospital. There is the opportunity for the mutual benefit of the regional centre, not only for the people of Northern Ireland but for the people of Donegal. Collectively, a much better service can be provided for everyone. <BR /> <BR />The Altnagelvin radiotherapy unit was first identified as essential to meet the future needs of the people of Northern Ireland in 2008 when the project was kicked off by the then Minister, Michael McGimpsey.”
“Does the Member accept that the fact that such cuts have had to be implemented at the last minute shows a degree of mismanagement of the Budget by the Northern Ireland Executive?”
“So, my question, Minister, is this: in the future, will one education sector's priorities trump those of the people of Northern Ireland, and how do we try to ensure that we have the best system to suit everyone and maximise the opportunities that exist?”
“In the past, there was a significant opportunity to promote shared educational facilities when the then St Comgall's College and Larne High School had a close working relationship, with shared classes and children being exchanged from each school, but, sadly, the decision was made to amalgamate three schools in the maintained sector and to transport those children some 17 miles outside of the town.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer, but does he not accept that a 26-week target is half a year of a child's education and an unacceptable delay? Will he ensure that there is a much faster process and that the multi-agency support team for schools, which is available to only some young people in some primary schools in my constituency, will be available to everyone so that all have the best opportunity to reach their full potential?”
“The latest power station proposal in Northern Ireland has been for a sizeable power station in the scenic Inver area outside Larne. That was initially floated as being a unit for renewable energy storage, although I have noticed that it requires a high-pressure gas supply and so would be heavily dependent on gas in the future. Can the Minister assure me, perhaps from his DFP background as well as while standing in for DETI, that no public funding will be used to create yet another gas-dependent power station, as the future of that supply is insecure?”
“The loss of university courses at the Jordanstown site will result in the loss of jobs for lecturers and a wide range of support staff. Will the Minister advise us what action he is taking to encourage the university to develop alternative job opportunities at that site? In his answer, I did not hear him specifically mention the business incubation unit that was used in the past by spin-out companies. That site and the adjacent Trooperslane site are excellent for such high-tech companies, and both are shortly to have their communication links with Belfast upgraded in the A2 upgrade.”
“Much of the rural development programme 2014-2020 is aspirational, with money still to be committed to in any budget. With considerable and intolerable health pressures and cutbacks being implemented by every Department, including the Minister's, my question is this: can she advise how the current cuts in her Department — a result of the failure to maintain welfare parity — will affect the rural development programme during this year? What effect does she foresee it having in the future when she will have to implement much larger cutbacks in her Department?”
“As a member of the Orange Order, I ask him to explain how he compares Orange events with this fleadh and this outrage. I am offended.”
“The Member indicated that he could not support Mr Allister's amendment because of its inaccuracies. Can you explain in what way it is inaccurate? Would he not agree that, if such an investigation were carried out, it would prevent further actions from occurring elsewhere?”
“The misuse of drugs, whether prescribed, over the counter or illegal, can adversely affect the health and mental well-being of those taking them. The Minister's statement highlighted the particular problem in Northern Ireland of the "misuse and diversion of prescribed" drugs. As well as looking at the drugs available over the Internet, will the Minister highlight what action his Department, GPs and pharmacists are taking to try to identify where prescribed drugs are being diverted to others at a cost to individuals' health and to our limited budget?”