Mr. Ian Bothwell:

Listening to the previous contributions has kick-started a debate within me. I, too, have written to the Government about the cuts and I received a nice letter in reply which stated the Government was meeting need according to its policy. I have also had Ministers come to visit our centre and they say it is a nice place and we are doing great work. One of them even asked what he could do to help but that was the last I heard from him. I am not impressed that our letters have been lost in the system and our voices are not being heard or understood. Why are we not loud enough? Why do we not have the required clarity of thought or presence? Why is so much attention given to our politicians who are moving the system? Those are questions I am asking myself.

To answer the question about Stormont House, we are tired of our politicians moving centre stage and tired of policies that affect people in everyday life being neglected. I do not understand what the politicians are doing at the moment. Perhaps one day they will be able to explain the reason they are in and out, up and down and positioning themselves for the television cameras. Our politicians really can speak to the world through the media and they make wonderful speeches. While this is very impressive, it does not put bread on the table. I ask myself why that is the case and what more victims and survivors can do apart from writing letters. Why is our voice not being heard? Victims and survivors are asked to tell their story but are being neglected, ignored and rejected. We need to revisit that issue.

Westminster is wrong to roll out one cut after another. At the same time, there are people on the higher rate of disability living allowance, DLA, who may not need it. There are others, however, who need an adjustment or increase in their benefit. I am keen for an assessment period or some period of understanding. I do not believe the guys in Stormont understand what it is like for a person not to have access to a doctor because he or she lost the rag with the doctor's receptionist. That is not acceptable. People need to have access to a doctor.

Many things need to be changed. We can discuss these issues but we desperately need to see change in the lives of people. Otherwise, what is the purpose of Stormont?