Debate contribution: Armed Forces Covenant and Armed Forces Bill
Debate contribution by Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly on .
- MLA
- Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 5 October 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Armed Forces Covenant and Armed Forces Bill
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5774207
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Absolutely. I am deeply proud of the legacy of all those who served in the armed forces with dignity. Of course, just yesterday, I attended the Ulster Defence Regiment’s recommittal of the standards for its Lisburn branch. It was a time to remember that extraordinary contribution. Well in excess of 40,000 people served in the Ulster Defence Regiment, which was, frankly, one of the most dangerous regiments anywhere on the globe. Almost 200 were killed on duty and, shamefully, 61 of those men and women were killed after they had retired from duty, which creates a huge legacy. Of course, we contribute across our armed forces as well. Our armed forces community has clear additional needs and requirements. For example, the children of those who serve may attend a number of primary schools during their education. If you have moved to a number of bases, you do not have the same opportunity to be on a health waiting list and get the interventions that you require. There are very clear disadvantages for children, families, serving personnel and our veterans. It is absolutely right that, if you are a veteran from Northern Ireland who has served in our British armed forces, you should not suffer disadvantage and discrimination and be left out simply because of Sinn Féin's bigoted intolerance of the service that you have given.
225 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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