Debate contribution: Racist Violence: Assistance for Victims

Debate contribution by Mr Mark Durkan on 15 June 2026.

MLA: Mr Mark Durkan
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 15 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Racist Violence: Assistance for Victims
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5614195

Text

I thank the Minister for his answer. However, the point must be made that the Minister's perceived inaction on or indifference to the issue up until this point has been in stark contrast to the heroic efforts of the housing workers, his departmental officials, the voluntary and community sector, churches and the ordinary, decent Good Samaritans who have worked round the clock to ensure that families — their neighbours — are put somewhere safe. The Minister is right: what happened was horrendous. Sadly, it is not the first time that it has happened. We may hope and pray that it is the last, but I very much doubt that it will be. What is the Minister's message for those who took to the streets to air their "legitimate concerns", one of which is a shortage of housing, given that their way of expressing those concerns was to burn homes?

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

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Topical question AQT 2451/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

This is the same MLA’s follow-up within the exchange on their own question. It is analysed together with that question and is not counted separately, so one question is never counted twice.

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