Assembly Speech 19th February 2008

Mr Speaker 

The Programme for Government rightly has confirmed  growing the economy is the top priority for the Executive and this has been accepted by the Assembly.

Assembly Speech January 2008

I would like to pay tribute to Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA for raising this issue within this adjournment debate.

The importance of this project to the area cannot be overestimated.

The deprivation need in the area has been acknowledged and the area has been designated as an area of need.

I want to declare an interest in the matter as I am a director of Landmark East, a charity organisation and an arms length company of the East Belfast Partnership.

Assembly Speech - 11th September 2007

Mr Speaker/Deputy Speaker

I was greatly suprised to hear some of Mr O'Dowds comments this morning.  He said that he had learnt more about the Orange Order from a five-minute radio interview than he had at any other time in his life.  He must think that Members on this side of the House are naive.  That statement makes me wonder what sources he uses for his speeches.

The motion reflects an important issue for the Protestant community.  The Orange Order represents that community's cultural identity and embodies Christian principles such as charity and tolerance.  Sinn Fein puts about a myth that the Orange Order comprises bowler-hatted bigots who just want to march down the road.  However, over generations, the Orange order has played a significant role in society, and its members have made important contributions.  Such members include: Dr Thomas Barnardo; William Massey, a former Prime Minister of New Zealand; Harry Ferguson, the inventor of the tractor; and Earl Alexander of Tunis, a First World War general.  Those people represent the calibre of person who underpins the character and ethos of the Orange Order and maintains its principles.

Assembly Speech - 10th September 2007

Mr Speaker/Deputy Speaker

It is the priority of all responsible elected reprsentatives to see economic prosperity and the financial and other benefits that flow from a successful econmy being enjoyed by their constituents.  I empathise with Mr Gallagher in this regard.  And it is to be welcomed that this subject of economic prosperity is on the agenda today.

While I identify with the problems and have sympathy and well understand the issues he raises and have the same level of concern as him, I differ in how to address the issues and I support the amendment.

The Titanic Quarter development has the potential to be one of the most exciting and innovative things to happen in Belfast, more accurately in Northern Ireland, in many generations. Out of the ashes of our once thriving heavy industry sector should emerge a vibrant, modern and cosmopolitan living space with large-scale business and innovative technological development, to rival anything which has been achieved by similar projects elsewhere in the world. The venture is Europe's largest waterfront development.

It should be a priority for all politicians to support the development of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). They are the lifeblood of our economy.

Businesses, large or small, face similar problems but the major difference is the limited resources available to the small business owner.  SME owners struggle to manage existing red tape and cumbersome employment laws while trying to make a profit.  Inevitably, crucial areas such as research & development (R&D) and innovation are seen as a further cost or burden, rather than an opportunity.

Council Speech

It is the expectation of the public that when those who are strongly perceived to be a threat to the public either by their track record or on the recommendation of the police that the judiciary will acknowledge that threat and place the person in custody.

There was a public outcry when local magistrate released onto the streets a young east Belfast man with 109 convictions, 92 of them for burglary, in opposition to the compelling recommendation of the police and against a common sense approach. Especially when the person is arrested by the police leaving premises, a senior citizens care home, that he had no business being in.

It can only be said that when persistent offenders are brought before ˍˍˍˍˍˍˍˍ they and their lawyers must think it is their lucky day.

Speech to the NI Assembly 

Mr Speaker/ Deputy Speaker

I want to thank Ms McIlveen and Mr Ross for putting forward this important motion.

This is a subject that, given the excellent promise and capability of our education system and the skills of the teaching profession, we should not be debating today. We should not need to debate this issue.

Underachievement in education has a negative influence throughout the whole of Northern Ireland but the statistics show it has a major depressing and dismal impact within the inner city areas. And I see the evidence of this every day in my constituency office or as I travel around my constituency.

The Province’s long established dependence on the public sector – which has now swallowed up almost one third of the workforce - is not helping to build a more potent, pro-active economic base for the future, with more emphasis needed on developing commercial life.

Robin Newton, east Belfast MLA and Belfast City councillor believes that to achieve this innovation and entrepreneurship in an increasingly global economy, many things need to happen, including the forging of better partnerships.

Belfast is the gateway to Northern Ireland.  It serves as the shop window to all that lies behind and despite some recent job losses; Belfast’s economy has been enjoying good growth. While at all times it is necessary to view any economy holistically, it is always the capital or regional city that will set the economic pace. The prosperity, or indeed the poverty, of Belfast would have an unplanned effect on the other cities, towns and villages of Northern Ireland.

Thankfully, the city’s tourism industry is currently booming; in fact it has grown by over 400% since 1994, seeing Belfast emerge as Europe’s most popular short stay destination.  In 2005, tourists generated £284.9 million and helped to support nearly 16,000 jobs.  According to the reputable business magazine “Management Horizons Classification”, Belfast has risen from Mr Average’ to ‘Mr Glam’.