Results 1-20 of 270 for speaker:Gerry McHugh

Northern Ireland Assembly: Adjournment: Impact of the Falling Maintenance Budget on Rural Roads in Fermanagh and South Tyrone (29 Jun 2009)

Gerry McHugh: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I, too, thank Tommy Gallagher for securing the debate, the subject of which is one of the biggest issues for our county. Mr Gallagher mentioned anger, and there is certainly considerable anger among local people about the roads. Indeed, there is no greater issue at present for people from that area than the roads. Given that many tourists come to...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Committee Business: Impact of Economic Downturn on Businesses in Northern Ireland (23 Jun 2009)

Gerry McHugh: As a member of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, I also support the motion. I thank Mark Durkan for his tremendous effort as Chairperson of that Committee. He helped the Committee in many instances. I support everything that other Members have said, particularly about our Committee and the Committee for Finance and Personnel having a scrutiny role. As was mentioned, the...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Committee Business: Report on the Inquiry into the Role and Potential of Credit Unions in Northern Ireland (17 Feb 2009)

Gerry McHugh: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the debate. As a member of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, I know a bit about credit unions. My father was a founding member of the credit union in Lisnaskea. It started off in a small hut, but over the years, it moved to a very fine building. That credit union was established...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Post-Primary Transfer (25 Feb 2008)

Gerry McHugh: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. This is a vital debate. Everyone is wondering when we are going to get started on the real debate. The Minister must bring her plans for post-primary transfer in 2009 before the Assembly. Any further delay in announcing how she is going to roll out the new system or how it is to be implemented will have a knock-on effect on the current P5 and P6...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Murder of Paul Quinn (19 Feb 2008)

Gerry McHugh: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I welcome the Quinn family here today, but I am sorry that they are here under such circumstances. Paul Quinn was murdered in a violent and brutal way. The murder was carried out in a pre-planned and well-organised manner. Paul knew that he was going to be attacked, and he knew who was going to attack him. Let us be clear about that. Any attempt to...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Executive Committee Business: Programme for Government and Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland (28 Jan 2008)

Gerry McHugh: Go raibh maith agat. Like many others, I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate. I may find myself covering ground that other Members have already covered; nevertheless, it is as important to raise as many different issues as possible as it is to speak about the entire Programme for Government. I have difficulties with endorsing the investment strategy and the Programme for...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Dangerous Dogs Legislation (20 Nov 2007)

Gerry McHugh: A LeasCheann Comhairle, I also support the motion. Although I do not want to speak for too long, any review of the matter will take some time. Given that the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 obviously did not deal adequately with such dogs, I think that the Minister will take the necessary time to get the legislation right this time. Certain breeds of dog were banned under the 1991 Act, but of course,...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statement: North/South Ministerial Council — Agricultural Sectoral Format (19 Nov 2007)

Gerry McHugh: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I also thank the Minister for her statement and for the work that has been done so far in the North/South Ministerial Council. I am particularly grateful for the work that was done at the agricultural sector meeting in Donegal. An all-Ireland approach to an animal health and welfare strategy benefits everyone, despite the difficulties that some...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Executive Committee Business: Pig Production Development Committee (Winding Up) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007 (12 Nov 2007)

Gerry McHugh: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. The Minister and the Chairperson of the Committee have already raised most of the relevant points. I support the legislative change, as do the farming organisations. It will benefit them in their attempts to support the industry. The legislation is also consistent with the RPA’s intentions. However, for most of those in the industry, the...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Committee business: Independent Water Review Panel’s  Strand-One Report (6 Nov 2007)

Gerry McHugh: I disagree — that has not been proven to be the case. There are new methods of dealing with sewage in the countryside that are less dangerous to the environment. In Enniskillen, raw sewage can run into Lough Erne when there has been any degree of rainwater over a weekend. That happens in Enniskillen and other areas, year in, year out. Sometimes, departmental breaks have more impact than...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Committee business: Independent Water Review Panel’s  Strand-One Report (6 Nov 2007)

Gerry McHugh: I do not have enough time. Recycling has already been mentioned, and global warming must also be taken into account. Water, as a resource, will be seen in the future as oil is today. Food, quality of water and rising temperatures as a result of global warming will mean that issues that relate to water will have to be taken seriously in the future. The Minister has taken those concerns on...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Committee business: Independent Water Review Panel’s  Strand-One Report (6 Nov 2007)

Gerry McHugh: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I would not normally speak on an issue such as this, but it is important for my constituency, and, in particular, for towns such as Enniskillen. It has been said that efforts are being made to end double taxation, and that people are pleased that a new approach is being taken. The “Durkan tax” was also mentioned, and it is important to note...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Committee business: Independent Water Review Panel’s  Strand-One Report (6 Nov 2007)

Gerry McHugh: That is interesting: perhaps I drew that particular remark from the Member. My constituency, and the town of Enniskillen in particular, has paid dearly for historical underfunding and the underdevelopment of infrastructure. There is too much pressure on the sewerage system, and, partly because of Planning Policy Statement 14, developers have been allowed to go flat out and build any number of...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statement: Sixth Meeting of the North/South  Ministerial Council in the  Inland Waterways Sectoral Format (6 Nov 2007)

Gerry McHugh: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I welcome the Minister’s statement. The headquarters of Waterways Ireland is currently being built in Enniskillen, and it will be vital to the economy of Enniskillen and the wider area. I welcome that, and I urge the Minister to press for its completion as soon as possible, as it has been quite a long time in the making. I have a question about...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Regional Development: Independent Water Review Panel (5 Nov 2007)

Gerry McHugh: Go raibh maith agat. As regards affordability tariffs and those people who would be unable to make a one-off payment, has water metering been considered? How much difference would there be between one-off payments and metering?

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Member’s Business: Abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board (22 Oct 2007)

Gerry McHugh: I have already mentioned the reason that the Member might have a different view on the matter. When scrutinising the entire situation, care must be taken not to remove workers’ protection. Several Members, including Tom Elliott, made various points about the raft of protections that exist, including the national minimum wage, section 75, and equality legislation. In general, politicians...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Member’s Business: Abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board (22 Oct 2007)

Gerry McHugh: I do not have time to give way; I want to make a few other points. At present, the mistreatment of migrant workers is widespread. It has been said that £187 is a much better wage than the £88 that farmers receive. However, there are a fair number of large farms and, indeed, rich farmers who get sizeable single farm payments — in some instances as much as £200,000 plus....

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Member’s Business: Abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board (22 Oct 2007)

Gerry McHugh: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I did not expect to be allowed to speak so soon. However, this is an opportunity to debate a very important subject. I say to the Members opposite that there is no division in my party on the issue. They might scrap for little pieces here and there, but that is all they will get. Sinn Féin will always be foremost in respecting and defending...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Environment: Planning Regulations (22 Oct 2007)

Gerry McHugh: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her answer. I am delighted that that amount of work is ongoing on the matter. Will the Minister say whether she has been able to work with EHS to ensure that the enforcement, and that all development —

Northern Ireland Assembly: Environment: Planning Regulations (22 Oct 2007)

Gerry McHugh: 8. asked the Minister of the Environ­ment for her assessment of the protection of built heritage within towns, villages and the countryside; and to make a statement on over development and the enforcement of planning regulations.      (AQO 571/08)