Results 1-20 of 340 for speaker:Mitchel McLaughlin

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Northern Ireland Block Grant (17 Nov 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Sinn Féin supports the motion and opposes the amendment. Gregory Campbell made some pertinent comments about the amendment. However, I would add that the setting up of an ad hoc budgetary review Committee would effectively duplicate the work and impinge on the existing remits of the Assembly’s Statutory Committees, not least the...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Finance and Personnel: Regional Economic Strategy (10 Nov 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Given the number of jobs that have spilled out of the economy as a result of the economic downturn, does the Minister still believe that the targets in relation to the economically inactive, as set out in the regional economic strategy, can be achieved by 2015?

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Multi-unit Development  Management Company Reform (9 Nov 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. While listening to the proposer of the motion and, subsequently, to the proposer of the amendment, I was struck by how much common ground there is between them. My party also shares that common ground, and it is a pity that the Assembly has not yet developed a mechanism whereby such commonalities could be advanced to the point of an agreed motion....

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Multi-unit Development  Management Company Reform (9 Nov 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: I have no doubt about that, because I have been in a similar situation in the past. Given the impact on the Assembly’s time and effort, I suggest a formal mechanism whereby the Business Office and, perhaps, the Assembly Commission should attempt to facilitate discussions when there is such a united front as exists in this case. I agree so strongly with Members who have spoken that I do...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Office Of The First Minister And Deputy First Minister: Presbyterian Mutual Society (9 Nov 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I take the Minister’s advice that there are sensitivities and confidentialities involved. However, can he confirm whether the Financial Services Authority (FSA) was critical of some aspects of the management of the Presbyterian Mutual Society?

Northern Ireland Assembly: Executive Committee Business: Clause 4 (Costs of district rates collection) (3 Nov 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: I accept the Member’s apology. [Laughter.]

Northern Ireland Assembly: Executive Committee Business: New Clause (3 Nov 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. My party supports the purposes of the Bill and the proposed amendment Nos 1 and 2. Other Committee members spoke about the manner in which the amendments were tabled and recorded their concerns. I will not labour that point, which I think has been well taken. I want to address a particular point. During the briefing on 23 September 2009, I asked...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Executive Committee Business: New Clause (3 Nov 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: I can defend the position. The record of the Committee’s discussion, at which Mr McNarry was present, indicates that this is an issue. The Chairperson’s report notes that the Minister of Finance and Personnel has agreed to take up the matter. My point is that the issue is of great significance to older people across all sections of our community and could be resolved for a...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Education: Educational Standards (2 Nov 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: 5. asked the Minister of Education how area-based planning and the entitlement framework will improve educational standards.        &# 160;  (AQO 278/10)

Northern Ireland Assembly: Education: Educational Standards (2 Nov 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: Go raibh maith agat. I am sure that the Minister was encouraged by the all-Ireland perspective that the two unionist parties displayed when asking earlier questions. I thank her for her answer. Will she elaborate on how the area-based planning process will work under the education and skills authority (ESA)?

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Invest NI (20 Oct 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. It is appropriate to welcome the report because it has developed some very interesting and challenging ideas. It is a recognition that we can change. I particularly welcome the fact that senior executives of Invest NI have acknowledged the report and have said that they will not be complacent and they are not averse to recommendations and changes...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Invest NI (20 Oct 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: I thank the Member and I accept the point that he made. It was pretty much what I was leading to. We have to consider the value that is added by stimulating economic development in areas that have not always enjoyed such a stimulus. The economy receives an added value from the development of a wider reach in the economic opportunities that present themselves. I appeal for the Minister to use...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Lisbon Treaty Referendum (20 Oct 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: Go raibh míle maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I accept and respect the democratic principles on which the European Community was founded. Given the challenges to global economics that emerged, it was inevitable that the European Community would evolve. That is the kernel of Sinn Féin’s opposition to the Lisbon Treaty. The European Union has fundamentally shifted away from...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Lisbon Treaty Referendum (20 Oct 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: There are absolutely no grounds to suggest that the European Union will reverse its position on the matter.

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Lisbon Treaty Referendum (20 Oct 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: If the proposition is adopted in Britain, it will perhaps be time to call a halt to this undemocratic march.

Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statement: Public Expenditure 2009-2010:  September Monitoring (13 Oct 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: Was an opportunity missed?

Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statement: Public Expenditure 2009-2010:  September Monitoring (13 Oct 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I take some encouragement from the Minister’s statement and his noting of the fact that improved performance has a direct consequence for the amount of money that will be available in future monitoring rounds. The progress that that displays in project management and financial management must be recognised. I am also encouraged by the degree...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Finance and Personnel: Public Expenditure (6 Oct 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his answers. We are all aware that we are facing a very difficult future, given the run-up to the election in the current economic circumstances, and the post-election scenario. I am sure that the Treasury is keeping a close eye on the situation. Has the Minister considered exploring with Treasury officials the implications...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Social Housing (6 Oct 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: What happened the day after that?

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Social Housing (6 Oct 2009)

Mitchel McLaughlin: The Minister for Social Development should attempt to establish consensus before Executive meetings, rather than simply demanding more money to build houses. That does not address the problem.