Francie Molloy MLA
Mid Ulster Sinn Féin MLA Francie Molloy is a Deputy Speaker in the Assembly, a member of the Agriculture Committee and sits on the Committee of the Regions. He was elected to Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council in 1985 and to the Assembly in 1998. Married with four children and eight grandchildren, Francie was a welding engineer before taking up politics.
How did you get involved in politics?
I first got involved in politics through the Republican Clubs. My family home had always been a debating chamber and world politics were always discussed whenever two or more were in the house. My father and uncle were particularly interesting to listen to and as time went on I would add in my tuppence worth.
I saw republican politics as the way to end discrimination, which had led to unemployment, emigration and a reduction in the nationalist vote. I believed that we could change that and as a result, change the world.
What stands out about Mid Ulster?
Mid Ulster has always led from the front in politics, economic regeneration, entrepreneurial skills etc.
Mid Ulster has historically suffered from a lack of investment. But local people, confident in their ability used their skills to design, manufacture and build SMEs across the constituency, creating local employment and enhancing the local economy.
Politically, Mid Ulster is a strong republican constituency. Tom Mitchel was elected to represent Mid Ulster while in prison, Bernadette Devlin, a strong voice for civil rights, was MP for Mid Ulster and currently Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness is an MP and MLA for Mid Ulster.
What does your work on the Committee of the Regions involve?
The remit of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) has been strengthened following the treaty. It is a scrutinising committee monitoring the work of the European Council, Commission and their structures.
I have only recently been appointed by the Assembly to the CoR so I am still finding my feet. I attend quarterly meetings as well as sitting on the Environment Committee, which scrutinises policies and makes amendments to legislation which will affect the Assembly.
Europe moves very slowly but legislation is always changing and very often people only become aware of the change when it is being implemented. Our role as committee members is to try and see that change coming and lessen any negative impact it may have locally.
As a member of the Agriculture Committee, covering a Minister from your own party, how do you maintain your independence?
My role on the Agriculture Committee is to scrutinise the department and the legislation that they propose. There is no opposition in our form of government so the committees have to ensure that all legislation is fit for purpose and that it meets the needs of the people we represent, at party level, constituency level and at Assembly level, in terms of the budget and economic climate. The Minister has a job to do and the committee’s role is to scrutinise it.
What do you aim to do for your constituency before the elections next year?
My aim as an elected representative has always been to maintain Mid Ulster as a good place to live, work and play. I serve the constituency to the best of my ability and will fight tooth and nail for the people of Mid Ulster.
I want to see planning legislation changed to allow local business to grow and expand. Local enterprise has been the life-blood of Mid Ulster through difficult times; it has built a strong rural economy. Some 80 per cent of the world’s quarry, sand and gravel equipment is manufactured in Mid Ulster. I want to see that success built on. Most of these businesses started in farm yards and small sheds, not industrial estates and we need recognition of this to allow SMEs to grow.
I want to maintain jobs in Mid Ulster and I will continue to lobby government to relocate departments, particularly agriculture, within Mid Ulster. As a rural department I feel strongly that it should be in a rural constituency and I believe that Loughry College is an ideal site.
I also want to see adequate health care provision for the people of Mid Ulster, which is accessible from within Mid Ulster. We continue to witness the removal of services out of the area. We need all-party support to ensure that this not only stops, but to demand acute hospital provision in the centre of Mid Ulster.
How do you use your spare time?
As an elected representative, I don’t have a great deal of spare time. I do enjoy working around the house when I can. I have a number of young calves and Dexter cattle which keeps me in touch with the land.
Working with animals is very relaxing for someone like me who is just a hobby farmer. I will never make any money but it helps give me an insight into the difficulties faced by farmers, such as tagging, feeding, slaughter etc.
I find that even my hobbies tie into my elected role. I am always looking for ways to improve and simplify current systems and procedures that will benefit the people of Mid Ulster no matter what I am doing.
