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?”
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“The statement spoke of spatial planning, the challenges of an ageing population and climate change. The Minister has also indicated that people want to live close to where they grew up. In Larne, two blocks of multistorey flats were brought down some years ago, and the third and final one is in the process of being brought down. Will the Minister reassess the relatively modest plans to build social housing in that public space, given all the assets that come with it, its central location and its access to essential services and facilities for those who are 55-plus and, indeed, anybody else in need of social housing? It meets all the criteria that were spoken about.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. It refers to the challenges of COVID, climate change and an ageing population, and it endorses the document, 'Creating an Inclusive Future Vision for our Ageing Populations'. It recommends that, to create opportunities for the future, properties should be developed and residents housed along existing transport routes, where there will be short walks, proximity to urban centres and easily accessible services. Does the Minister feel that there is a need to change any of our current planning regulations and guidance? Is there a need to have additional interaction and discussion with our councils as they finalise area plans?”
“Earlier this year, the Finance Minister reported a significant underspend and said that money returned to him might be returned unspent to Treasury. Has the Executive Office been in touch with the Treasury to ask whether, at the very least, that funding could be used to pay the first year of the disability scheme for Troubles' victims to ensure that those victims are not disappointed once again?”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. A few minutes ago, the Member opposite made accusations against me. Will you undertake to review in Hansard the contributions that I made today, in which I showed clear support for all the workers at our ports in carrying out their duties, and in which I clearly indicated my wish that any threats against them were removed?”
“Will he engage with the Government at Westminster and the EU to come up with pragmatic, simplified solutions to prevent difficulties that are occurring?”
“I, too, congratulate the Minister on his appointment, particularly in the challenging present times and wish, with others, that the threats against staff immediately come to an end. <BR /> <BR />Minister, I understand that there will be very few live animals moving through our ports, particularly at this time of the year; it is mainly HGVs bringing foods into our supermarkets and our agri-food industry exporting goods to their GB market. Therefore, Minister, if there were blockages or delays at the ports, does the Minister accept that there could be animal welfare issues for animals in transit? <BR /> <BR />Moreover, could the cargoes, which are all very time-sensitive, end up being dumped, at huge costs to manufacturers, resulting in gaps on our supermarket shelves?”
“Therefore, I am content that that is brought in, finally, in Northern Ireland. As it has been indicated, it was brought in more than three years ago in GB. We have been rather slow to react since the period when the Assembly was not active. It is important that we continue to act responsibly and take appropriate action to discourage the use of handheld mobile phones. <BR /> <BR />I should have said at the outset that I am a member of the Carrickfergus Road Safety Committee. I will declare that as an interest. However, the issue is of interest to the entire population. I wish to indicate my continuing support for the increase in penalty points.”
“I, too, wish to indicate my support and, indeed, that of the Ulster Unionist Party for the increased penalties for use of a handheld mobile phone while driving. <BR /> <BR />The use of mobile phones has become more and more common. Many people are almost addicted to them. They forget the risks that are involved in being distracted when driving, even by considering the use of such a phone. Some useful adverts have been produced. As other Members have indicated, it is important that the message of the danger of distraction continues to get through. <BR /> <BR />Given the seriousness of the issue and the potential impact of serious injury to other drivers and pedestrians, my party views it as proportionate to increase the number of penalty points from three to six in recognition of the potential impact of such an accident.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Ulster Unionist Party has always advocated freedom of movement, North/South and east-west. A hard border in the Irish Sea is causing significant problems, and the protocol needs to be changed. Again, I say that all of us need to reflect on what we have advocated. We need something that the entire community can buy into. <BR /> <BR />The Belfast Agreement indicated that Northern Ireland's position would change only with the agreement of the people of Northern Ireland. The hard border down the Irish Sea has changed that and has the potential to create economic and political instability. We all have an interest in avoiding that, so I ask everyone in the Chamber to reflect on where we go from here and to urge for changes in the disproportionate, hard Northern Ireland protocol.”
“There is growing discontent within the unionist community, and I can see that only growing as more and more people recognise that they have difficulty buying seeds and plants and in being able to get a small parcel or goods delivered to them. Therefore, there needs to be adjustment and reflection. I plead to all parties that may have fought hard against a hard Brexit: we have what we have. I ask all those who then pressed for a hard, full introduction and implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol to think carefully about what they have done. They are causing discontent and instability. I urge a rethink. There are the interests of the EU, of the Republic of Ireland and of everyone who lives in Northern Ireland to be reasonably accommodated.”
“I, too, send my best wishes to Edwin Poots. Hopefully, he will have a speedy recovery. <BR /> <BR />I unreservedly condemn the threats against all border control staff at Larne and, indeed, Belfast harbours. Let us be clear: there should be no place for violence or the threat of violence, but, for that to happen, we all need to look carefully at what we do and at what we have advocated. The British Government have reached an agreement with Europe and set themselves in terms of the Northern Ireland protocol. However, those protocols are not set in stone. Already, we have seen adjustment. There needs to be a clear reflection on those protocols, and we need to make sure that they are proportionate and reasonable. What has been introduced, however, is not proportionate or reasonable.”
“I fully accept that no one can make final decisions until the final amount is revealed, but would the Minister still not accept that, if consultation had happened, you would be in a much better place to react? Indeed, will you be falling in line with the previous recommendations on how to modernise our Budget process so that we have a meaningful consultation with the public, our stakeholders and, indeed, Committees?”
“Apologies. The Northern Ireland protocol has resulted in significant additional costs. Some suppliers are choosing not to supply Northern Ireland; others cannot supply Northern Ireland. I think of seed, plant and animal product suppliers. There is concern that, in future, vets and animal health inspectors will not be able to sign off goods and food items, in particular, in a timely manner. Are you, Minister, and the Executive as a whole leaving past battles behind and trying to find collective solutions by engaging with Her Majesty's Government, the EU and the Joint Committee working group to get practical working outcomes and simplification so that trade can continue and costs be kept to a minimum?”
“There may be a need to upgrade the grant on a more regular basis rather than to wait for a pressure, point or emergency such as this to bring a Bill forward at relatively short notice. It would be much better if such changes happened on a more timely basis, and the ability to do that would always be there if it were needed. I continue to support the Bill.”
“It is important that flexibility is built in to our system so that, if there is a need to intervene, the Department and the Executive can do so. The Bill will simply increase that loan and grant capacity roughly in line with inflation over the many years since it was last upgraded, and I welcome that. If there is a need to respond to the significant change in the trade that is happening — there has been a lack of response from the Westminster Government and Europe to enable that trade to happen — it is important to know that there may need to be further emergency intervention. The Bill will create that little bit of headroom, should it be needed. <BR /> <BR />In welcoming the Bill's Final Stage, I ask the Minister to reflect within her Department.”
“As yet, we do not know the final outworking of the Northern Ireland protocol or how exactly it will impact on the future of our ports and their ability to provide regular ferry services. As part of that protocol, a huge burden of extra administrative requirements have been passed to the GB suppliers in particular that send goods to Northern Ireland. Burdens have been passed to hauliers through delays in picking up their goods and getting the necessary paperwork, and, again, there are delays at the ports. All that is resulting in less freight coming from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, and, again, there is a risk to our ports as a result.”
“People's purchasing habits will have changed as a result of that, particularly business to business, and trade has been down. That in turn has put stress on our harbours. In addition, the normal tourist traffic has not been around, and it is yet essential, particularly for Northern Ireland, that we have regular transits of our ferries to GB. With our agricultural goods having to reach market on a timely basis, it is important that we have reliable, regular ferries to Great Britain. <BR /> <BR />There is an additional burden that has now come to our harbours and ports.”
“I am quite pleased that we have got to this point in a relatively short period. I wish to indicate the continued support of the Ulster Unionist Party for the Minister and this particular Bill. As the Minister said, it is a very short and straightforward Bill, with three clauses. Primarily, it increases in line with inflation the maximum amount in grants and loans that can be passed to our harbours. <BR /> <BR />Our harbours and ports are essential for trade. Without trade, our economy crumbles, so it is important that there is the ability to provide support when necessary. Regrettably, over the past year, our harbours and ports have suffered as a result of COVID. There has been a downturn in certain trades, and manufacturing on occasions has not been in operation as it would normally be.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Like others, I feel that it is very sparse and difficult to scrutinise. I have noticed that the Scottish and the Welsh Governments have a degree of pre-Budget consultation, with one starting in June and one in September. Does the Minister accept that it is very disappointing that, despite having been in post for a year, he is announcing a largely flatlined Budget? There has not been detailed planning, scrutiny or prioritisation to decide how we should spend the money that is available to us.”
“The British Government have attempted to say that there is unfettered access, but we are all aware that there is considerable bureaucracy involved and that that is stopping some UK firms trading in Northern Ireland. Can the Minister advise how she has made our United Kingdom Government aware of that adverse effect on businesses in Northern Ireland and the ability of consumers in Northern Ireland to purchase goods from the rest of the United Kingdom so that we do not face, "We do not supply to Northern Ireland"?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. The statement refers to the Shared Island Fund of some €500 million. Originally, in 2011, a commitment of £400 million was made to get a single project, the A5, approved. Given the increased inflation and design costs, what money, if any, in that original commitment will be left over in this new amount of €500 million? How are all the additional projects listed to be funded if the A5 absorbs it all?”
“— in article 16 to try to make a better place for us all to live and do business.”
“It is important that we all work together and try to mitigate the costs, use the regulations that are in it —”
“Guess what? Someone else will have to deliver it and, no doubt, will charge extra for it — something that we all will have to pay. <BR /> <BR />On the movement of animals across the Irish Sea, I am aware that guide dogs for the blind is an area of concern. Passports will be needed to move dogs about. Perhaps veterinary inspections will mean even more expense to get them back here.”
“Time is money: it takes time to complete that paperwork. Ultimately, it will result in additional cost to you and me and everyone in Northern Ireland as consumers. We will all have to pay more. I have already learnt of one businessman who sought to get quotes for moving pallets next month. He is being charged a surcharge of £100 a pallet. Guess what? We will all have to pay for it. I am aware of another constituent who ordered a phone from EE. It is already a number of days late. When he went to track it, he discovered that it was being delivered by DPD. Of course, it is not delivering to Northern Ireland at present, unless that has changed in recent times. A number of delivery companies have indicated that they are not delivering here because of concern that it may breach some of the protocol and the bureaucracy that has yet to embed.”
“I have highlighted that it is a clear breach of the Belfast Agreement. There is not unionist consent for it. There has been a failure of nationalism, of the EU, of the British Government and of the Republic of Ireland Government to recognise that. I just wish that everyone would. <BR /> <BR />We have warned about the dangers of the protocol, which will be enacted on 1 January. As my colleague Doug Beattie stated, it is sad that some unionists' DNA is on that border down the Irish Sea. It is a sad fact that my East Antrim MP followed the lead of English nationalism and is still trying to justify his unjustifiable actions when he gambled the union and which have resulted in the border down the Irish Sea. <BR /> <BR />What does it actually mean? It will result in extra paperwork and bureaucracy when we move goods across the Irish Sea.”
“Sadly, we were ignored. Boris Johnson took that door ajar, and he pushed it open, and he forced into his agreement something that suited him. I think that all unionists subsequently realised that it was a mistake to have acquiesced to that, and we now have this border down the Irish Sea.”
“<BR /> <BR />As a member of the Assembly's Infrastructure Committee, I know that we gained advice that we should not have discussed and approved a statutory rule because it is to be the fiefdom of the new Joint Committee that will be governing all of us in many aspects of our lives. In particular, I understand that the chairman and the vice-chairman of the Joint Committee have to agree and that, once that is done, guess what? It becomes law and regulation in Northern Ireland. Who wants to live under such a regime? It is undemocratic. Ultimately, we will, unlike the rest of the UK, continue to be ruled by the European Court of Justice on many issues. <BR /> <BR />The Ulster Unionist Party has warned other unionists, privately and publicly, about the dangers of even discussing or acquiescing to a border down the Irish Sea.”
“When it is passed, it will cement in place the Northern Ireland protocol. As a democratic representative, I find the Northern Ireland protocol offensive. As a unionist, I find it offensive. I find it offensive because it breaches the consent principle in the Belfast Agreement, in that unionists and nationalists should agree to any change to our constitutional position. Our position in the UK has changed. As of 1 January, there will be a border down the Irish Sea. No one can argue that the constitutional position of Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom will not then be different, and it is for that reason that I am very, very sore.”
“I support amendment No 2, in the name of Steve Aiken, and I also support amendment No 3. Today is a day of mixed emotions for me. It is a day when I am very proud to be part of the United Kingdom, a day when the new Oxford/ AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved by the United Kingdom Government, who have already purchased 100 million doses of the vaccine, which can help to protect me, my family and, indeed, everyone in the United Kingdom and in Northern Ireland. This will also be very beneficial to the Third World, given that it was developed on a not-for-profit basis. <BR /> <BR />However, it is also a very, very sad day for me because the Labour Party has indicated that it will support the UK-EU trade and cooperation agreement at Westminster, so it is certain to go through.”
“The completion of the A6 will considerably improve the travel time between the north-west and Belfast, and, indeed, Dublin. Undoubtedly, that will have some effect on the viability of Derry city airport, where more people will choose to travel. When is that road expected to be completed, and how will that influence subsequent additional funding that continues to be passed to Derry city airport?”
“The scheme has been operating since mid-October. I had difficulty finding a helpline number. I do not think that one exists. I am aware of constituents who are frustrated that they do not understand what is going on. When will a helpline number be established so that constituents can understand whether they ticked a box wrong or why exactly they have been rejected? Even responding to emails has been problematic on occasions.”
“I welcome the Minister's announcement that £20·5 million of dormant funding has been agreed in principle and will focus on those groups that do not normally attract public money. There have been voluntary groups that did not draw down money from the National Lottery because of their opposition to gambling and the National Lottery's association with it. I therefore ask the Minister to ensure that no barriers be put in the way of such individuals and groups applying. <BR /> <BR />The issue has been floating around since the legislation was passed in 2008. Indeed, I was briefed on it at the Finance Committee in 2008. When will the application period open so that people can apply for grants and draw down funding?”
“— and, for that reason, I cannot support it. I wish that others would reflect on that change as well.”
“They are caught in some sort of limbo. What about future breeding stock? Farmers frequently bring bulls in from the Stirling sales or Carlisle sales. How will that happen? There will be additional costs, quarantining and regulations, if it possible to bring that stock in at all. It will be the same with other animals. <BR /> <BR />There will be difficulty with people going on holidays with their pets. Presumably, new vaccines, pet passports and other bureaucracy will be required, and I cannot welcome that. It is not appropriate that there should be restrictions on movement within any country. I do not welcome that; in fact, I find that it disregards, as I indicated, what was agreed in the Belfast Agreement. The status of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom is changing as a result of these announcements —”
“It is healthy that there is adequate choice, and there should be freedom of movement of products within any country, but the border down the Irish Sea has been agreed at a high level, against the Belfast Agreement, which was meant to protect all sides. There has been no agreement from the unionist community to a border down the Irish Sea. That requirement has been totally ignored in the process to date, and therefore I cannot welcome it. <BR /> <BR />There was meant to be — it was promised — unfettered access east-west and, with that, west-east. That is not the case. As I have said, there will be restrictions, particularly on food and animal products and even on the farming community. I understand that there are ewe lambs trapped in Scotland. They cannot move until 1 January, but they cannot move after 1 January. They cannot move.”
“As others have indicated, there are only 17 days left until the end of the transition period, and, whilst some say that there is increased certainty on trading arrangements going forward as a result of the Northern Ireland protocol, I differ. If you examine the document, you will see that, first, it says that there is agreement in principle, so it is not finalised. That must be of concern to everyone. <BR /> <BR />Some of the aspects of it may be a slight improvement on what we might otherwise have faced from the earlier versions. Nevertheless, what is in it should concern everyone, particularly with regard to our supermarkets and the supplies on shelves. They have a three-month extension, and, thereafter, they have to work out how they will get stock to their shelves. Some items may not be stocked in the future. I do not welcome that.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Considerable pressure will be ongoing beyond the COVID period, and that is why I am asking the question. Similarly, has the Minister made contact, or in conjunction with the Finance Minister made contact, with the Chancellor so that online large retailers such as Amazon pay fair taxation and are unable to continue to shift their profits offshore and use complex tax avoidance methods, leaving local retailers at a disadvantage?”
“Are individuals who are in receipt of a supplementary payment, due to the complete loss of their award when transitioning from DLA to PIP, entitled to the additional heating payment?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. It refers to the draft accounts for 2019, which are not yet completed. That is some 11 months after the accounts were closed. In accounting for public money, it is helpful to have timely reporting. Given that Waterways Ireland does not have a board, who can be held to account for that late finalisation of the accounts and expenditure of public money?”
“I put on record my thanks to the Minister and the DVA for facilitating driving tests for a number of key workers to enable them to carry out their duties. I am aware of ongoing problems with one constituent who applied in July and was given a date that was subsequently cancelled because of COVID. That person is still waiting. <BR /> <BR />The Minister mentioned that recruitment is still going on. It is disappointing that it has taken so long to recruit. Does she agree that the time taken for the recruitment process is excessive and that, given these exceptional circumstances, the process needs to be speeded up so that key workers, young people and members of the public who need a driving test can be facilitated by trained instructors in a timely manner?”
“The next time we adjust it, are we also going to require primary legislation, as happened here, to repeal this legislation — assuming it goes through — and to introduce the new figures as we go forward? Why is it not being adjusted using a statutory rule? As others have indicated, had there been proper scrutiny and time allowed for Committee discussion, that could have been pointed out, and an amendment could have been tabled to enable such a change to be made much more easily and efficiently. It would be helpful if the Minister would explain why primary legislation was required. <BR /> <BR />That having been said, it is important that the Bill passes Second Stage. The Ulster Unionist Party will support it.”
“The Member has rightly highlighted that there has been support for all three airports through other mechanisms, but I am conscious that only two of the three received support from Infrastructure. There needs to be clarity around how this is used going forward. I hope that they will all be appropriately supported. <BR /> <BR />The other aspect and question that I have about the Bill which I find quite strange — perhaps it is because it is having to be taken forward by the accelerated passage route; it would be helpful if the Minister could explain — is that we are essentially increasing the amount of funding in line with inflation. That is a very minor change to our legislation. It is something that, for instance, with regard to benefits, happens each year with a statutory rule. Why is this change not occurring with a statutory rule?”
“<BR /> <BR />Secondly, with regard to this additional money, the Bill does not speak of how that will be determined or how it will be carved up going forward. It would be helpful if the Minister could say a little about that. In particular, there is concern that Belfast City Airport and City of Derry Airport received airport funds, but our principal airport, which is also trading at a loss, has not received support from that —.”
“On that basis, as I have said, I am content to support this increase, which is in line with inflation. <BR /> <BR />It is regrettable that this is also occurring at a time when a regulatory border is being created down the Irish Sea, as that will be a major impediment to our businesses and our region. It is something that I, and my party, warned others about the risks of doing. It is regrettable that, one month off, there is still not full clarity of the full implications. I have heard the Minister say that she is not planning to use this fund to support the ports with regard to the end of that transition arrangement. It would be helpful if the Minister could advise whether there would be the flexibility here for her to assist our ports in the case that some sort of emergency arose and others did not step in.”
“It is important that we maintain support for our ports so that tourists are able to come here. It is also so that we are able to ship our products, suppliers can quickly bring goods into Northern Ireland from Great Britain, and the perishable goods that we export can quickly get to market. Therefore, it is important that we have the ability to once more ramp up the services and to provide frequency, such as is provided from the port of Larne in my constituency, which is where we have the shortest, fastest journey to Cairnryan. I had to get that plug in. However, that is equally so for the ports of Belfast and Warrenpoint with their ro-ro facilities. It is important, in particular, for speed in the modern facilities that ro-ro traffic, which has been particularly affected by the pandemic, has the ability to ramp up again.”
“The "holiday at home" mantra that tourists in Northern Ireland have largely been practising — and, indeed, tourists in the rest of the United Kingdom — has obviously reduced the amount of traffic and income to airports. We want that to pick up again, and we want our ports to be able to service that industry again whenever we get through the current pandemic. Therefore, it is important that our ports are still able to operate and still have the commitment there of ships and infrastructure to service that.”
“Essentially, this is a very straightforward Bill. There is one significant clause, which gives the power to increase the amount of loans or grants that can be passed to ports that are included in the Harbours Act (Northern Ireland) 1970. The amount of the increase is £65 million, from £35 million to £90 million, which, as the Minister indicated, is in line with inflation and is not an exorbitant amount. <BR /> <BR />The Minister also indicated that she is aware that there are pressures on the ports. I am also aware of considerable pressures on our ports as a result of COVID-19. Manufacturing has reduced during the pandemic. Hopefully, it will pick up considerably; nevertheless, it will not be at the same level as before. <BR /> <BR />Another aspect of fundraising for our ports, and an important business for them, is the tourist trade.”
“Why was permission to increase not sought much earlier, in which case the Bill could have proceeded via normal passage? Nevertheless, I recognise that we are where we are and that there is a need to create that headroom and an ability to assist if necessary. For that reason, the Ulster Unionist Party and I support accelerated passage.”
“Accelerated passage should be sought only in exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances are coming in about a month's time; we are coming to the end of the EU transition period, and, as of yet, there is no clarity about the implications of that. There may be complications with marshalling, inspecting and other emergency activity that needs to occur, so it is important that we create a little bit of headroom space by proceeding with accelerated passage. There is also COVID. Our ports are vital to trade and our businesses. They have been operating at a reduced schedule, and yet perishable goods move in both directions, so it is essential that there are still good ongoing connections. It is important to support our ports for that reason. However, both those issues could have been predicted at the start of the year.”