Debate contribution: Election of Speaker and Deputy Speakers

Debate contribution by Mr Robin Swann on 14 February 2023.

MLA: Mr Robin Swann
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 14 February 2023
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Assembly Business
Heading: Election of Speaker and Deputy Speakers
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4178850

Text

Often, we say in this place — I have heard it in discourse, especially over the past nine to 12 months — that we all want to keep politics out of health. Unfortunately, in the discourse leading up to the debate, it seems that we have been unable to keep health out of party politics. I want to start by welcoming the contributions of the three Members who have spoken so far, who have led the debate with the necessary tenor and tone. That is how the Act was brought through the Assembly. I remember it well. Long before the Act was delivered, my party colleague Jo-Anne Dobson attempted to bring through a private Member's Bill. Such legislation has not always had easy sailing through the Assembly. I want to quote Jo-Anne on where we are. She said, in a piece in today's 'Belfast Telegraph', that
"The delay ... is a bitter blow to so many of us who have spent decades campaigning for ... change. Opt-out encourages people to think and talk about becoming an organ donor, prompting discussions which can save lives. Disappointingly, these conversations are being drowned out by discussions around who is responsible, who should implement the bill, and where it should be implemented. These questions are immaterial to the people across Northern Ireland who are undergoing dialysis and are waiting for a kidney transplant or any organ transplant. They need to receive a message of hope".
That is what Dáithí's law was: an Act that offered the opportunity not just to save lives, but to change lives. I still have my copy here, which was actually signed by Dáithí on the day that it went through its Final Stage in the Assembly. I pay tribute to Dáithí and his parents for the way in which they brought forward their fight and campaign for the Act. That legislation was one of my proudest achievements as Health Minister, due to the way in which the Assembly was able to bring it through. The former First Minister referred to how quickly, once there was a change in mindset, this place reacted collectively to take the Bill through all its stages within seven months and see it produced as law. The Act still sits on time and on schedule, but it needs the additional step of positive affirmation of regulations that have been laid by the Department of Health. I thank the Department of Health officials who have played their role in ensuring that everything is in line for the legislation to be fully enacted. It does not look like that will be done today, so I ask that the Secretary of State and those whom he listens to ensure that it goes through Westminster as seamlessly as it went through this place. Our former First Minister talked about Dáithí, Máirtín and Seph, and especially about Dáithí's fighting spirit. The former First Minister and deputy First Minister will remember well the day when we met the family at Stormont Castle and told them that we were bringing forward the legislation. The fighting spirit that the former First Minister referred to was shown when Dáithí put a right hook on his chin. With regard to the legislation and the discourse that we have had on it, I am sure that many have wanted to be in the same position. If we do not have the political ability to deliver commencement of the legislation today, I ask for surety from those who have influence and can actually make a difference by bringing legislation through Westminster. The former First Minister was right: we have seen the Secretary of State and Westminster act at pace on many other pieces of legislation. This should not be a stumbling block to him or Westminster. I would prefer that it was done in the Chamber, in the spirit in which the legislation was brought forward. However, if that is not to be, for those who are waiting on a life-saving transplant and those who would be able to be donors, let us not, in this place, fail them, but instead do all that we can to keep the tone and tenor with which this debate has started. The debate so far is a credit to the Members who have spoken in it and stands in contrast with some of the rancorous exchanges that we have heard in previous recalls.
The Act is not about that but about Dáithí Mac Gabhann, his family and others across Northern Ireland who are waiting on a transplant.

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

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