Debate contribution: Sectarian and Racist Intimidation

Debate contribution by Ms Sinéad McLaughlin on 16 September 2025.

MLA

Ms Sinéad McLaughlin

Party at the time

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Date

16 September 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Sectarian and Racist Intimidation

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5111883

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I thank the signatories to the motion for tabling it. Like many across the Chamber have done, I have witnessed with horror the rise of sectarian and racist attacks, not just here but across these islands. We are witnessing a very disturbing trend. Anti-immigrant rhetoric and parties that amplify it — once thought to be confined to other parts of Europe — have now taken root in the UK and in Ireland. We see that in the rise of Reform in England, and, sometimes, we hear echoes of it in the Chamber. Language matters. Words that are spoken here carry weight and have consequences. Framing inflammatory comments as legitimate concerns does nothing to absolve responsibility. When elected representatives normalise anti-immigrant sentiment, it should come as no surprise that attacks on migrants rise. That rhetoric is also a symptom of much deeper problems. It reflects a society in which too many people struggle with poverty, poor housing, insecure work and overstretched services. When people feel abandoned, they are more vulnerable to those offering an opportunity to find a scapegoat instead of solutions. Unless we tackle those underlying issues, division will persist. We all saw the horrifying images from Ballymena: mobs targeting immigrant families, flags placed in windows and stickers put on doors to mark homes by identity. That is not the mark of a shared society. Rather, it is intimidation, yet, too often, political leaders respond with silence or, at best, quiet condemnation.

That is not leadership.

Yes.

Thank you. I agree: condemnation is not enough. Others have said that here in the House. We need a good relations strategy that is not outdated and that is fit for purpose, unlike what we currently have. There is no credibility in holding press conferences about tackling racist and sectarian attacks while failing to deliver the strategies and resources that could make a difference. The First Minister and deputy First Minister must set out a clear timeline for a refreshed good relations strategy that is properly funded, is shaped by the voices of victims and front-line workers, and has measurable outcomes. Publishing a document is not enough — that is not delivery; we must see delivery on the ground. T:BUC has not delivered the transformation that was promised. The Urban Villages initiative, which was designed to improve good relations, has too often failed to tackle the root causes. Do not get me started about Communities in Transition. It aimed to help areas to break free from paramilitary control, including in east Belfast and Derry. It has not met its ambition. Too many people remain under the shadow of coercion and intimidation. Communities deserve more than short-term schemes; they deserve lasting investment in safety, opportunity and hope. Meanwhile, we continue to see the consequences of failure. In north Belfast, Catholic families have been targeted in sectarian attacks. In east Belfast, vigilantes have been patrolling streets and schools. It is unreal. In south Belfast and Ballymena, young people have attacked migrants. In my city, there have been sectarian clashes in Gobnascale and the Fountain. Is that the society in which we want to raise the next generation? It is not what I want for my family. It is not what I want for my grandchild. It is not what the majority of people across the North want. This is not only about tackling hate on our streets; it is about addressing the conditions that allow division to fester. At the heart of that, Minister, is housing. Too many families wait for years for a home. Some live in unsafe conditions, and others face intimidation because of their identity. That is unacceptable. Minister Lyons, you must set out what action is being taken to deliver more social and affordable housing, and how the community safety framework will protect people who are targeted in their homes. Putting up paramilitary flags and marking territory is intimidation. People do not want it. Homes are being devalued. There are homes in my constituency that are so badly devalued because of paramilitary flags that families have been left in negative equity. That is absolutely disgraceful, and it is devastating for the young families who live in those homes. A safe, secure home is not a luxury; it is a basic right. However, if we are to build more homes, our broken waste water system must also be fixed. That is why we need a joined-up approach. No Minister can solve the issue alone. As my colleague said, we need a collective vision of hope from the Executive Office, the Communities Minister and the Justice Minister, not a vacuum. Real change requires leadership from the very top; from the First Minister and deputy First Minister, working together. Without that, the housing crisis will deepen, and communities —

— will continue to suffer. Deputy Speaker —

— leadership is about more than words; it is about responsibility, direction —

— and delivery.

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

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 13:16 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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