http://www.davidford.org/speecharchive.php Recent Speeches from David Ford en-GB David Ford http://www.davidford.org/ Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/ (c) 2008 David Ford 2008-07-06T00:10+01:00 United Kingdom http://www.davidford.org/speeches/000047/supply_resolutions_for_200809.html Mr Ford: I will attempt to look slightly wider than my constituency. I had hoped to congratulate the humble Back-Bencher from Strangford, Mr Simon Hamilton, on his promotion to the Front Bench, but, unfortunately, he managed to escape before I was able to speak. I was wondering whether, by the time this debate was over, Mrs Foster, Mr Donaldson or Mr Hamilton would be responding on behalf of the Executive. 2008-06-09T17:00+01:00 http://www.davidford.org/speeches/000048/proposed_chicken_waste_plant_at_glenavy.html I thank Paul Butler for securing time for this matter, which is of significant interest to many people, not only those who live in, and around, Glenavy, but further afield. As Thomas Burns said, the area extends into three constituencies. 2008-06-03T18:30+01:00 http://www.davidford.org/speeches/000046/taxi_reform__consideration_stage_of_the_taxis_bill.html We should record the fact that the relatively sparse attendance in the House this afternoon, and the unanimity that has been expressed so far, are signs of the good work that has been done on the Bill, both by the Minister and her officials and by the Committee. The fact that we are not engaging in the usual sectarian ding-dong - because Members have agreed on what is best for the people of Northern Ireland - is an example of devolution working well. Although it may be an unusual practice for me, I am happy to join the cosy consensus on this occasion. However, the Minister should not read too much into that. 2008-02-26T23:59+00:00 http://www.davidford.org/speeches/000045/housing_need_in_north_belfast.html The level of demand for social housing in North Belfast is so large that it is not an issue that solely relates to the current boundaries of that constituency. Much of the rapid population growth, which has expanded into the constituency of South Antrim, is driven by the inability of people from North Belfast to secure housing in the area where they want to live. Many who have moved to my constituency are relatively well off; others are left trapped in the city, because they are unable to afford what is on offer. As Nelson McCausland highlighted earlier, some people, having sampled the delights of Newtownabbey and points beyond, are now moving back into the city. That may be an issue for Translink to address. 2008-02-25T23:59+00:00 http://www.davidford.org/speeches/000044/the_murder_of_paul_quinn.html I express my sympathy to the family and friends of Paul Quinn. It is deeply regrettable that we have to have a debate on a topic such as this. An interesting reference has been made by Sinn Féin Members, and not by other Members, about the attacks on houses, property and cars - and perhaps people - in the wake of the murder of Paul Quinn. It is right that any such attacks be condemned. Sinn Féin Members have every right to highlight those attacks and to expect that other Members would want the full rule of law to be observed. Without any reservation, I condemn any such attack, but the principal reason for this debate is not because of graffiti being painted on houses, but because a young man was murdered in a most brutal, cowardly and callous fashion. 2008-02-19T23:59+00:00 http://www.davidford.org/speeches/000043/speech_on_budget_bill.html I want to add a few comments to those made by my colleague Sean Neeson earlier, and by my colleague Stephen Farry in yesterday's debate. I apologise to the Minister that I was not present to hear his opening speech, but I was called away by a higher authority - higher even than the Finance Minister. 2008-02-12T23:59+00:00 http://www.davidford.org/speeches/000042/protection_of_the_countryside.html I thank the Minister for bringing this motion to the Assembly today. I also thank her for supplying an advance copy of her paper, which enabled some of us to do our homework over the weekend. It will come as no surprise to some of my colleagues on the Committee for the Environment that I am speaking only in a personal capacity and on behalf of my party colleagues. 2008-02-11T23:59+00:00 http://www.davidford.org/speeches/000041/protection_of_children_and_vulnerable_adults.html I welcome the fact that - three or four years after it should have happened - we have finally got around to codifying the law on sexual offences in Northern Ireland, largely in line with that in GB, because a huge backlog needed to be addressed. I also welcome the fact that there is near unanimity in this Chamber on all issues but one. If I may quote from a letter from Love for Life: 2008-02-04T23:59+00:00 http://www.davidford.org/speeches/000040/opposition_to_budget.html Given the number of occasions on which a shared future and the cost of division have been referred to, I must start with that. 2008-01-29T23:59+00:00 http://www.davidford.org/speeches/000039/failings_of_the_programme_for_government.html I understand that the First Minister began his speech by stating that this is a society that was divided by conflict. In fact, the conflict was caused by division. That is why tackling division must be the first priority for every one of us. The Executive's failure to take that obligation seriously is the fundamental reason for the United Community group's opposition to the Programme for Government, and for our demanding a fundamental rewrite of it. 2008-01-28T23:59+00:00 http://www.davidford.org/speeches/000038/public_transport_funding.html The debate has been interesting, bearing in mind the large measure of agreement from all corners of the House, albeit with certain differences of emphasis. I want to deal with one of the key points that Mr Gallagher raised. The amendment suggested that, somehow, my party's original motion asked for spending to be rebalanced, specifically by taking money away from areas such as rural road maintenance and putting it towards public transport. 2008-01-22T23:59+00:00 http://www.davidford.org/speeches/000037/action_needed_on_climate_change_in_northern_ireland.html As a member of the Committee for the Environment, and on behalf of my group, I welcome the proposal that the Minister has brought to the House today. It is absolutely right - and there is unanimity in the House on this - that we should be full participants in the UK climate change process. However, I have some slight concerns that by being involved with the UK structures, there is a danger that focus may be lost - particularly as this proposal comes from the Environ­ment Minister rather than the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. 2007-12-10T23:59+00:00 http://www.davidford.org/speeches/000036/aspiration_no_substitute_for_action_in_the_programme_for_government.html "In the course of his summary, the First Minister said that the Executive wanted to "make a real difference" to what has gone before. The tragedy of the situation that we are in has been highlighted by this debate today - the paucity of proposals in the Programme for Government, the lack of smartness in the public service agreements, and the vagueness of the investment strategy. 2007-11-26T23:59+00:00 http://www.davidford.org/speeches/000035/road_safety_north_south_cooperation.html I beg to move amendment No 2: Leave out all after "Assembly" and insert 2007-11-12T23:59+00:00 http://www.davidford.org/speeches/000034/david_fords_speech_at_alliance_party_conference.html So that's it then. The end of history. Ian is sharing power with Martin, and Martin is sharing power with Ian. The chuckle brothers are chuckling and every problem dissolves into soft focus. We no longer need to worry about anything. The cunning plan has succeeded: the extremes have been brought into the centre, power sharing is working well and all our troubles are over. 2007-11-03T12:00+00:00