Monday, 26 February 2024
The Assembly met at 12 noon (Speaker [Mr Poots] in the Chair). Members observed two minutes' silence.
If Members wish to be called to make a statement, they should indicate so by rising in their places. Those Members who are called will have up to three minutes to make their statement. I remind...
I will take this opportunity to reflect on the positive announcement last week around Narrow Water bridge and the opportunities that I believe now exist. Those of us who have championed Narrow...
As reported on Downtown Radio and Cool FM news by journalist Tara Griffiths on 16 February, the child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) waiting times statistics for Northern Ireland...
I rise to speak on a medical treatment that, I am sure, some Members may already be aware of: Palforzia. It was brought to my attention a few years ago by Tierna Byrne, a mother from East Belfast...
Members will now be aware of the notification of a new EU regulation on protection of geographical indications for craft and industrial products. You wrote to Members of the Assembly on Friday...
I would like to raise awareness of the significance of encephalitis, following World Encephalitis Day last Thursday. Encephalitis is a serious condition that impacts on individuals and families...
I congratulate the bravery and courage of a couple in my constituency, whom some of you might have seen in the news over the weekend: Danielle and Nial Sands. They spoke out very bravely about...
This week marks the nineteenth anniversary of the tragic disappearance of Lisa Dorrian from a caravan park in Ballyhalbert in County Down in 2005. Lisa's disappearance left an irreplaceable hole...
February is the month when we mark Apprenticeship Week and celebrate our apprentices. I believe that we had another bit of business on that week, so I raise it now, and better late than never....
I rise to pay tribute to and mourn the loss of Mr Chris Nicholl, who passed away on Saturday night at the age of 77. Chris, on no fewer than 51 occasions, was selected to represent the Northern...
I associate myself with the remarks about Chris Nicholl. I will speak about the news that emerged at the end of last week — shocking and unacceptable news — that shared and integrated...
I want to talk about the miscarriage of justice in the Horizon post office scandal. The details of the saga have been well publicised, thanks to a very successful ITV drama this year. In 1999,...
As part of the dud deal that brought the DUP back into the Executive, today, in the House of Commons, one of the DUP's fig leaves — what is grandly called a "humble address" — will be...
Resolved: That Mr Pádraig Delargy be appointed as a member of the Committee for the Executive Office. — [Mr Stewart.] Resolved: That Miss Jemma Dolan and Mr Stephen Dunne be appointed...
I call Emma Sheerin to move the motion.
Question 13 has been withdrawn.
1. Mr Carroll asked the Minister for the Economy whether he will bring forward legislation to enhance workers’ rights. (AQO 46/22-27)
2. Mr McGuigan asked the Minister for the Economy whether there are plans to submit an all-island bid to host the Tour De France. (AQO 47/22-27)
3. Mr Nesbitt asked the Minister for the Economy for his assessment of his Department's 10X Economy strategy. (AQO 48/22-27)
4. Mr Brett asked the Minister for the Economy to outline how his Department can support the growth of the tourism industry in North Belfast. (AQO 49/22-27)
5. Mr Chambers asked the Minister for the Economy to provide an update on the implementation of the path to net zero energy strategy. (AQO 50/22-27)
6. Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for the Economy to outline what progress has been made on the development of a new nursing higher-level apprenticeship framework. (AQO 51/22-27)
7. Mr Tennyson asked the Minister for the Economy whether he will introduce legislation to ban onshore petroleum exploration and production. (AQO 52/22-27)
T1. Ms McLaughlin asked the Minister for the Economy to commit to ensuring that the British Government place an investment zone in the north-west city region, given that investment zones are...
T2. Mr Baker asked the Minister for the Economy whether he agrees that staging the Euros will deliver a tremendous economic boost, not only in West Belfast but in the North as a whole. (AQT 32/22-27)
T3. Mr Easton asked the Minister for the Economy for his assessment of his departmental programme to boost the Northern Ireland economy, especially in the North Down constituency. (AQT 33/22-27)
T4. Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for the Economy for his assessment of how the £30 million from the Irish Government’s Enterprise Ireland fund can be used. (AQT 34/22-27)
T5. Mr Kearney asked the Minister for the Economy whether he will ensure that the trade union movement is fully consulted on the drafting and implementation of any legislation that he brings...
T6. Mr Brown asked the Minister for the Economy, further to the positive announcement that applications for the second phase of flood recovery funding will open via local councils this week, to...
1. Mr McGuigan asked the Minister of Education whether the Education Authority has changed the process for parental referrals for statutory assessments. (AQO 61/22-27)
2. Mr Tennyson asked the Minister of Education whether the UK Government's financial settlement, published on 13 February 2024, will have any impact on previous funding commitments arising from...
3. Mr Donnelly asked the Minister of Education whether he plans to introduce legislation, before the beginning of the 2024-2025 academic year, following the review of the criteria for free school...
4. Mr O'Toole asked the Minister of Education whether he will allocate a budget to implement the recommendations of the independent review of education. (AQO 64/22-27)
7. Mr Dickson asked the Minister of Education to outline his engagement with preschool education settings on their readiness to facilitate the extension of the preschool education expansion...
8. Ms Egan asked the Minister of Education to provide an update on the end-to-end review of special educational needs (SEN). (AQO 68/22-27)
T1. Ms Hunter asked the Minister of Education to give an assurance to the integrated school community that the capital funding that was promised a decade ago will be replaced, in light of the...
T2. Mr Robinson asked the Minister of Education to outline the engagement that he has planned with the UK Secretary of State for Education. (AQT 42/22-27)
T3. Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Education, given that so many of today’s questions have been about budgets, to outline his budget position for next year and to state whether it is...
T5. Mr Allen asked the Minister of Education whether he will commit to reviewing Youth Service funding allocated to statutory and voluntary providers, given that, during a recent meeting with the...
T6. Mr Donnelly asked the Minister of Education to state whether he plans to initiate cross-departmental working to lower the cost of accessing education for families across Northern Ireland,...
T7. Ms Eastwood asked the Minister of Education whether he will make the reform of careers advice in schools a priority. (AQT 47/22-27)
T9. Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education, given the challenges for all aspects of the Education budget, to provide information on future capital investment in the education other than at...
Debate resumed on amendment to motion: That this Assembly affirms that the Executive Office’s strategic framework to end violence against women and girls must recognise that misogyny is a...
I call Nick Mathison to move the motion.
