Debate contribution: Education Inspections Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr David Brooks on 1 June 2026.

MLA

Mr David Brooks

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

1 June 2026

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Executive Committee Business

Heading

Education Inspections Bill: Second Stage

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5581728

Read the official Assembly record

Text

The Bill would plug an obvious gap in our legislation that leaves children, parents and the public without reliable, independent assurance of the education and safeguarding provided in our schools. School inspections give confidence and assurance to government but also to families that the education that their child is receiving in our schools is of the quality expected and required and, perhaps more important, helps to assure safeguarding practices in the school. It seems to me that that is a principle that was and is largely agreed, even among the Bill's would-be detractors. It is my understanding from Committee engagement that unions accept that inspection is necessary for that very reason. Indeed, the party opposite seems to have performed another U-turn in a series of U-turns on the Bill, having supported it at the Executive table. Pat seemed to suggest that his party will vote against it today because it would take too much time in Committee. Sinn Féin, in recent times, seems to be spinning like a weathervane, ever unsure of which populist gust to follow next. Why on earth would some in the Chamber be more keen to ensure that inspection, which is necessary to ensure the quality of education of our children and, furthermore, the safeguarding of those children, can continue to be used as leverage in industrial disputes? I will say this to the Members opposite: in a year's time, a different party may well be in charge of the Education Department, but I assure you that my view on this will be the same. Whatever issues and disputes they encounter with unions, there is no reasonable logic, to my mind, that can justify making oversight and inspection of our children's schools a pawn in that contest.

Yes, I will.

I can certainly explain. Your actions do not match your words. You say that you think that inspections are important and vital, but, when it comes to it, you are willing to have them used as a pawn in the game.

Yes, I will give way.

No, it is not hard for me to grasp at all, Pat. The fact is that either inspections are important to the quality of our schools and to safeguarding in schools, or they are not. Therefore, if they are important, how on earth can it be argued that it is reasonable for a teacher to block them as part of their industrial dispute?

The right to strike is open to teachers. We are saying that this is one limited element that should not be used as part of the process of industrial dispute. I do not know what it is that you do not understand about that. I hear you saying that inspections are important, but you are not following that through in your actions in your approach to the Bill. You cannot have your cake and eat it. Frankly, I do not believe that most —.

I will indeed.

490 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:46 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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