Debate contribution: Defence Industries

Debate contribution by Mr Gary Middleton on 20 May 2024.

MLA

Mr Gary Middleton

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

20 May 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Defence Industries

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4491245

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I thank all Members who contributed to the debate, particularly those who stuck to the motion and recognised the intention behind it. The aerospace, defence, security and space (ADS) sectors are a significant and emerging force in the Northern Ireland economy, accounting for more than 9,000 jobs, adding £1 billion to the UK economy and providing hundreds of apprenticeships and other skills development opportunities for people of all backgrounds across Northern Ireland. In recent years, a number of significant contracts have been awarded to major firms in the heart of our constituencies. Despite recent growth in those areas, there is still much untapped potential. The local ADS industries can play a much more prominent role in the United Kingdom's defence network. In the past, Northern Ireland has punched above its weight in its contributions to the ranks of the armed forces, and it is now time to replicate that to a greater extent in equipment and technologies produced here in Northern Ireland. During our negotiations with the Government, the DUP secured a range of commitments from Ministers to advance that cause. The UK Government have confirmed that they will launch a review into increasing public and commercial awareness of the Northern Ireland defence sector; developing proposals to ensure that Northern Ireland benefits from investment in defence industries in the same way as the rest of the country; exploring how to leverage Northern Ireland's cybersecurity clusters; having an academic centre of excellence; and establishing R&D programmes. In the 'Safeguarding the Union' paper, the Government also pledge to showcase the opportunities for investment in Northern Ireland defence industries and shipbuilding. It is important that those commitments to Northern Ireland are honoured, but there should also be a recognition that, in order to maximise the clear and sizeable opportunities that the success of our defence industries has, the buy-in of the Executive, of the Minister for the Economy and our homegrown and international firms will be essential. There is no threat to the principle of consent from the Northern Ireland economy seeking to play a more active role in the defence economy and the infrastructure of the United Kingdom. As has already been mentioned by other Members, the equipment produced here in Northern Ireland, such as anti-tank weapons, has assisted in the defence of democracy in Ukraine. Our skills have been used right across the globe to fight against terrorism and protect innocent lives. We cannot stand by or sit on the fence when it comes to defending peace and democracy across the globe. The high-quality, well-paid jobs that the sector provides deliver prosperity for communities in all parts of the United Kingdom. It is clear that, while there has been a modest uplift in the proportion of UK defence spending allocated to Northern Ireland, the level of investment from the MoD in our Province is disproportionately low. I will move on to Members' contributions. My colleague Jonny Buckley, who moved the motion, spoke of our late colleague Gordon Dunne MBE and the role that he played in championing those particular sectors. He highlighted the per head expenditure and the fact that Northern Ireland falls below the rest of the United Kingdom, the issue of imbalance and the need to fully integrate Northern Ireland into the defence network. He also outlined the difficulties that some of our SMEs and businesses face in trying to enter the defence industry but also highlighted some of the success stories that other Members went on to mention. Doug Beattie spoke about the importance of viewing the motion through an economic lens, and I share that view. That was the intention behind the motion. He outlined the conflicts that are happening right across the globe, the increase in defence spending right across the world and Northern Ireland's contribution to the defence industry. He highlighted the contribution that many of our businesses made. He also spoke about how vital it is that Northern Ireland receives its fair share of the £75 billion being invested over the next five years. Philip McGuigan spoke of the economic vision outlined by the Minister and the importance of the all-Ireland economy from his perspective. He recognised the skills in the cybersecurity industry as well, although he went on to raise political issues in respect of the USA and UK's role in Israel, protecting innocent lives and also ethical procurement and involvement. Sorcha Eastwood spoke about meeting international law on the issue of arms sales to Israel and the need for more to be done from the UK Government's perspective on social value. She also spoke about skills and the role of further education, schools and careers advice. Sinéad McLaughlin spoke about Northern Ireland's being a global leader in the ADS industry, recognised the extensive ongoing work by Invest NI in that area, and said that the Department has been found wanting on the skills pipeline and should work more closely with the Education Minister in that respect. She also spoke of her opposition to the 'Safeguarding the Union' paper. My colleague David Brooks spoke passionately about East Belfast and the heritage that exists, particularly around defence, in that constituency, and the need to meet NATO commitments. As my colleague Jonny Buckley did, he spoke of Thales, Harland and Wolff and Spirit Aerosystems. David Honeyford spoke about the need to focus on employers growing GDP and the aerospace and manufacturing industries. He went on to speak passionately about areas in his constituency. I am still quite unclear about what his position is and whether Alliance will support the motion. He spoke positively. If the Member wants me to give way, I can. He spoke passionately about the sector but was maybe unwilling to say what he would do. Gerry Carroll spoke on a number of issues that I do not believe were relevant to the motion. He was concerned about the ongoing situation in the Middle East and across the globe. I want to bring the debate on the motion to a close. It is regrettable that some of the contributions tried to turn it into a situation that it was not intended to be. We should pay tribute to all those who are involved in the ADS sector. It is not the situation that people go into those jobs just because they cannot get anything else; those are highly skilled, highly paid and respectable jobs. As an Assembly, we should do all that we can to ensure that we are global leaders in that industry. I commend the motion to the House.

1,089 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 10:22 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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