Gareth Wilson
Newry and Armagh · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“At its core, this is a practical and proportionate step to strengthen animal welfare, improve public confidence and bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the United Kingdom. For some time now, there has been a gap in our regulatory framework.”
“This legislation creates consistency, putting all operators on the same footing and ensuring that there are clear, enforceable standards across the board. There is public and stakeholder backing for this approach.”
“In so doing, the regulations are not about creating an additional burden for the sake of it. Rather, they are about strengthening transparency, improving standards and giving regulators the tools that they need to enforce the high levels of animal welfare that the public rightly expect.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. It is, however, disappointing that MLAs will not get sight of the updated strategy before recess. Given the importance of the issue to our constituents, will the Minister outline how the strategy will address the role of utility companies in degrading road surfaces?”
“Thank you for your answer, Minister. Do you agree that, for a mother who is about to give birth or who seeks medical attention from maternity staff for her unborn child, suspension of those vital services at short notice is the last thing that is needed in a time-pressured situation?”
“It is important that amendment No 32 be progressed, as not to have a review mechanism for this significant legislation would be highly regrettable and lead to important points that councils would raise being missed, because, by the time of the review, the councils would have built up a considerable weight of experience.”
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“Minister, can you advise the House on what steps you have taken to enhance homelessness prevention?”
“The Minister has visited the school on a number of occasions, and I have been in communication with him again in recent days on continuing work on that development requirement. Markethill High School deserves investment, and I will continue to make the case for that. The school is highly cherished in the town and, indeed, for miles around. It is a top-quality provider, and the principal, Mr Berry, and all the staff work tirelessly to make the educational journey for pupils inspiring and informative, which is seen in the consistent results of the pupils. That enthusiasm and success needs to be rewarded with investment in the site. I will continue to make the case to the Minister for that important resource in the days ahead.”
“The securing of a new build for Tandragee Junior High School and the new commitment by the Minister for a synthetic sports pitch represent a real and purposeful investment in education provision in the area. It is certainly a seal of approval for the well-cherished Dickson plan that Tandragee Junior High School so ably caters for. <BR /> <BR />With investment secured for that specific site in Tandragee, as an MLA for Newry and Armagh, I am also very committed to continuing to lobby for Markethill High School. There is a real and pressing need for investment in that site on the Mowhan Road. Markethill High School continues to perform impressively as an education provider.”
“I take this opportunity to welcome the unlocking of funding by the Education Minister, Paul Givan, under the curriculum-led capital programme to secure a new synthetic sports pitch for Tandragee Junior High School. This is, of course, a welcome development, and it follows the decision by the Education Minister to commit to a new-build project for the school. It is exciting news for Tandragee Junior High School. I am a past pupil of the school who, on many a wet afternoon, played on a muddy grass pitch. The vision of a new, all-purpose, synthetic surface is a real game changer for the school. <BR /> <BR />It is also important that progress continues to be made on forward planning for the new build, which will be an exciting new resource.”
“The Minister will be aware that Newry, Mourne and Down Council is investigating a breach of planning laws with regard to the illegal Sinn Féin advertising board at the Egyptian Arch in Newry. As confirmed by the historic environment division (HED), the arch has been a B+ listed structure since 1 December 1988. Given that, there will no doubt be a negative response from HED when it is consulted as part of the planning process. Will the Minister inform the House whether a planning application has been made to retain the illegally erected structure and, if so, by whom?”
“Minister, your Department has a seat at the planning consultee forum. The AERA Committee requested that the consultee forum address it. I am concerned that there is a lack of joined-up approach in planning consultees getting their responses back to planning departments. As your Department has a seat at the table, will you back us up in bringing the forum to our Committee so that we can adequately address the concerns of applicants across Northern Ireland?”
“Minister, thanks for your willingness in that regard. It is something that I will pursue with you further. <BR /> <BR />There are other roads and other arterial routes where we see lower speed limits. You said that it is not perhaps within policy, but will you commit to assessing that issue afresh? Will you also review the right-turn lanes and existing junctions, with the ultimate aim of improving road safety across the five main junctions that serve the Markethill section —”
“I am in no way criticising Craigavon hospital, because, this time last year, I had just come out of it. I was cared for exceptionally well there. The staff were absolute legends in delivering the care that I received. I am much better for it, thankfully. <BR /> <BR />Can you confirm that enough resource is available to the trust to progress the business case for that redevelopment to a conclusion?”
“As if that news was not bad enough, your Executive colleague in Justice revealed to me that, over the past five years, 100,000 crimes have been committed in which the excessive use of alcohol was listed as an aggravating factor. Given what you have said about the wider health and well-being implications of excessive alcohol use, have you any plans, as Minister, to increase messaging on moderation regarding alcohol in view of its significant negative impacts on the health service, across the Executive body and, most importantly, on people's health and well-being?”
“Today, I viewed photographs of the Maytown Road in my and your constituency. It resembled the surface of the moon, given the shadows cast by car headlights. That is a very concerning sight for the motoring public. Minister, would it require a small step or a giant leap for you to declare a roads emergency?”
“Some time ago, in my previous role on Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, I asked the Minister's predecessor whether a simple, hard-hitting and easily understood road safety message was included with first-time driving licences and all renewals. At that time, the Minister said that that was not the case. I am not aware of that position's having changed. In light of that, will the Minister commit to the House to looking at that seriously, so that, when a young person opens the envelope and their licence drops out, the other thing that drops out is a very hard-hitting and simply understood road safety message, which they will immediately correlate with getting their new licence?”
“My question relates to another line of business that is very applicable in my rural constituency, and that is farming. The Minister mentioned having a fair and equitable rate base. Minister, do you agree that farmers have not been treated fairly, especially given the focus on old farm dwellings that have been replaced? Some farmers are now living in a new farm dwelling but are still paying the same amount of rates on their old dwelling, and they are not, unfortunately, able to apply for any of the existing exclusions. Will you agree to look at the list of exclusions, with a view to increasing eligibility and to remove the weight of rating for two houses when only one is lived in and the other is simply there as an heirloom, if you like?”
“The motion draws a comparison between this instance and how statutory agencies treat businesses or individuals who erect unauthorised advertising. They would be pursued relentlessly, yet here we have a most unacceptable instance, where a Sinn Féin Minister disregards the rule of law. I believe that, in doing so, she breaches the ministerial code. I urge her to immediately instruct her Department to remove the displays without further delay and restore some public trust in the strict systems that should govern the location of advertising materials, as they do in all other circumstances. Sinn Féin is not above the law.”
“The Minister's party political and illegal signage is clearly more important than her departmental responsibilities to ensure that a sign that shows where an emergency department is located is visible for someone who might be unfamiliar with the territory and find themselves in an emergency.”
“It is a point worth noting that a very important, large traffic-direction DFI road sign, providing key information on the location of Craigavon Area Hospital's A&E, remains unreadable, lying on its face in the verge on Northway, Portadown. I imagine that the Minister passes that sign daily. I raised that issue with her Department's representatives when DFI presented its annual report to ABC Borough Council only a matter of weeks ago. I was present at that meeting, and, despite an assurance from a senior official that the matter would resolved, many weeks later, the sign remained face down this morning and not fit for purpose.”
“That is not policy in action; that is blatant disregard for policy and an apparent abdication of responsibility. The Minister went on to state that, on two occasions, her Department has issued requests for the installation to be removed, but she does not say who those communications were sent to. Clarity is needed on whether the Minister's Department has been writing back to the Minister herself. Sinn Féin may be used to talking to spooks, but ghostwriting to itself hardly amounts to accountability on this matter. <BR /> <BR />The Minister's position is especially concerning, given that that illegal sign remains in place in Newry.”
“The fact that it is visible in a Minister with responsibility for planning and, indeed, our road verges is a significant concern. I know that our councils regularly pursue those who fly-post and that, from a planning enforcement perspective, they routinely issue notices for immediate rectification of breaches. What is the response in this instance? That is the question, Members, that needs to be answered. <BR /> <BR />I have had sight of a letter that the Minister sent to the Committee for Infrastructure, and it raises many more questions than it answers. My colleagues will touch on the content of that letter, however it seems strange that the Minister appears to make up policy on the hoof. Indeed, it appears that the only concern seems to be with whether the installation is a safety hazard.”
“That listing, in itself, should create significant restrictions for developments close by — if, of course, due process is followed; it clearly has been followed not in this instance. I recall a number of applications at ABC Borough Council's planning committee in which planning permission was being sought close to listed structures and the consultee response from historic environment division clearly pointed to a detrimental impact on the structure, with the planners recommending refusal of the applications. Those applicants had to abide by the law. Minister, by your lack of action, you are saying that it is one rule for Sinn Féin and another rule for Newry businesses. <BR /> <BR />The public are not fools. They can see a blatant disregard for policy and for the rule of law.”
“As someone who spent 10 years on ABC Borough Council's planning committee, serving twice as chairman, I know that the issue of advertising hoardings was a regular theme in applications. Applications that came before the planning committee received significant scrutiny. Indeed, the Minister's Department is a consultee for every planning application that comes across the local council's threshold. Therefore, if the Camlough Road billboard that has borne Sinn Féin's political messaging had been subject to due process, the Minister's Department would, undoubtedly, have responded with a negative consultation response. <BR /> <BR />What is more concerning from a planning perspective is the fact that the Egyptian Arch is a B+ listed structure, as confirmed to me this morning by historic environment division.”
“<BR /> <BR />I was appointed to the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs last week, and I truly look forward to that role. I very much enjoyed my first meeting of the Committee last Thursday, along with my party colleagues Michelle and Tom and, indeed, fellow MLAs from across the parties. Our rural communities and our farmers in Newry and Armagh will have a voice. That was the case under William Irwin's tenure, and it will be the case under mine. <BR /> <BR />Mr Speaker, acknowledging your leniency and not intending to stretch it any further, I now turn to the motion before the House. The sentiment of the motion is one of accountability and respect for the rule of law, which the Minister herself must surely be bound by.”
“The issues that require attention in the constituency remain the importance of securing movement on the progression of the much-needed link roads in Armagh to reduce congestion and improve air quality in the city; and the importance of investing in and the protection of our health and social care system in the constituency at all our busy NHS sites, including at Daisy Hill Hospital. There is, of course, a renewed importance attached to road safety, given recent fatalities and very serious accidents on the A27, the A28 and the A3 main routes in the Newry and Armagh constituency. Our hard-pressed businesses also require to be listened to on the cost of doing business, their rates, their town centres and their services.”
“My unionism will not prevent me from reaching out across the divides and ensuring that everyone in the constituency, regardless of their political, religious or cultural backgrounds, will be able to contact me and seek assistance, as, indeed, they do currently and have done throughout my years as a public representative. <BR /> <BR />There is much work to do in my constituency, and I will continue to be an advocate for our elderly and for those in the constituency who are vulnerable. I will continue to be accessible and visible as I pursue improvements for everyone in Newry and Armagh.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am a straight-talking unionist, and I will be an advocate for the Union. Through my work in the House and in the constituency, I will promote the benefits of the Union and reflect the views of the unionist electorate in the constituency. I will also commit to putting my shoulder to the wheel with my fellow unionists in addressing the overbearing and undemocratic protocol, which continues to cause great concern amongst our industries and our communities. However, I want to say that my unionism is forward-looking.”
“I also thank the DUP MLA team for their significant warmth and kindness as I have undertaken this journey. <BR /> <BR />Having served for over 20 years in local government, formerly as part of the then Armagh City and District Council, and latterly in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, including a very enjoyable term as lord mayor, I have a strong enthusiasm and determination to deliver change and, crucially, deliver assistance to the people of Newry and Armagh. Indeed, I want to elevate that level of intervention and interaction for the benefit of the people through my new public representational role in the Northern Ireland Assembly. I put on record my thanks to the public who have reached out with the warmest of messages to me. It really is appreciated, and I read and listened to every one.”
“He was a very enthusiastic advocate for all the people of the constituency. The warm words that were expressed by Members of the House, many of which I listened to, during his last week in office, were especially kind. I pass on his thanks again to Members for their sentiments. The old adage that all political careers end in failure is certainly not applicable to William. I wish him well in his well-deserved retirement, although he would want me to add that he is certainly not one for sitting down. <BR /> <BR />From my personal perspective, as I take up my role as an Assembly Member for Newry and Armagh, I want, first and foremost, to thank God for the health and strength to pursue the role. I thank my wife, my family, my friends and my former Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council colleagues for their support.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I welcome the opportunity to propose the motion. Before I address the motion, I thank Members sincerely for their warm and kind words as I took my seat in the Chamber last week; it was much appreciated. Indeed, many people took the time to greet me in the corridors of the Building. I thank Members from across the House for their warmth and kindness. <BR /> <BR />This is my first opportunity in the Chamber to put on record my gratitude for and appreciation of William Irwin, who recently stepped down from his role as the DUP's Newry and Armagh Assemblyman. It was a role that he exercised with considerable success, sincerity and devotion for almost 19 years. It was an absolute pleasure to serve as his assistant for the entirety of his tenure as a Member of the House.”
“Will you commit to giving more resources and helping with the potential regeneration of that site?”
“Minister, your report rightly says that we must help nature to recover and regenerate. It also mentions storm Éowyn. In my constituency of Newry and Armagh, Gosford is a fantastic site that is cherished locally and has great collaboration with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (ABC), where I formally served as a public representative. Will you commit to putting more resources into Gosford and perhaps meet me and council officials about the ongoing regeneration of the site for the benefit of nature and biodiversity? A lot more could be done in Gosford with financial interventions from your Department that could lead to a greater and better use of the site and a better experience for the people of Newry and Armagh and those from further afield. People come from all arts and parts to Gosford. If possible, I would like —.”
“The hurt and pain of that horrific night has not diminished with the passage of time, nor has the desire to see justice served against the ruthless IRA perpetrators of the attack. The families of the 10 innocent men who were murdered and, of course, the survivor of the attack, Mr Alan Black, continue to pursue justice and truth in a most dignified manner. I stand with them, as do many of my colleagues in the House. There must be renewed resolve from the Government, the police and the justice system and a renewed focus on bringing the perpetrators of the attack to justice. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families in the days ahead.”
“A special anniversary service was also held last night in Tullyallen Presbyterian Church, where family and friends of victim the late Mr Robert Walker gathered to pay tribute to him and the nine other victims. That was an especially important and moving service, and it was a solemn privilege to attend it. Each year on 5 January, a special roadside service at the scene of the attack is held. That is always a solemn, reflective and important event, and I know that it will continue for many years to come. The conducting of that annual special roadside service ensures that the innocent victims of the IRA attack at Kingsmills continue to be remembered. <BR /> <BR />The story of Kingsmills will not be rewritten or airbrushed.”
“I take this important opportunity to pay tribute to the 10 innocent men so brutally and callously murdered by the IRA at Kingsmills on 5 January 1976. It is 50 years since that horrific attack, and, over recent days, there has been a series of important events to mark the tragic 50-year anniversary. It was a solemn privilege to attend those events and to stand in support of the families of those innocent men. <BR /> <BR />The special anniversary service in Bessbrook town hall on 4 January was especially poignant. It saw hundreds of people gather together in solidarity with the Kingsmills families and show in a very warm and real fashion that those innocent, hard-working family men will never be forgotten.”