Monday, 30 September 2024
The Assembly met at 12 noon (Speaker [Mr Poots] in the Chair). Members observed two minutes' silence.
Before we move to today's business, I inform the Assembly that the Defective Premises Bill received Royal Assent on 20 September 2024. It will be known as the Defective Premises (Northern...
I advise Members that Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard resigned as a Member of the Assembly for Fermanagh and South Tyrone last Friday, 27 September. I notified the Chief Electoral Officer in...
As a result of Lord Elliott's resignation, the office of the Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs became vacant. The nominating officer for the Ulster...
Before we move on, I want to deal with some other matters. First, on 23 September, Mark Durkan MLA raised a point of order about the First Minister's answer to his question about the independent...
I raise the issue of property management companies and shared area maintenance contracts in residential estates across the North. It has been raised recently with me as a constituency MLA, with...
I want to talk about the ongoing inquiry into Muckamore Abbey Hospital, which many of us are aware of. Last week, I was shocked to read that the inquiry heard that a former consultant...
I rise to bring attention to a monumental scandal that was brought into sharp focus for the public on 'Nolan Live'. The fraudulent activity that appears to be conducted through the Just Eat...
I would like to put on record some remarks about the events in Lebanon last week: "Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist group he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans...
I want to make a statement about the decision by the Education Minister, Paul Givan, to meet the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC), which is made up of a number of loyalist gangs, narco gangs...
I rise to speak on behalf of a family facing an incredibly challenging and heartbreaking situation. On 10 September, Lesley Poots, a beloved mother and grandmother from Northern Ireland, flew...
I reflect on the important question of accountability and responsibility-taking in this place. It is a theme on which I have reflected on many occasions since we took up our role in opposition,...
I became a member of the Policing Board a few months ago. Since then, I have had the opportunity to hear from the police about their views on next steps on a variety of issues, to scrutinise...
Some may be aware that today is National Nonspeaking/Non-verbal Awareness Day. I make the House aware of a vision called Love Needs No Words NI Hub. Its mission is clear: to create meaningful...
Hypocrisy is never far from this place. We had a fresh dose today from Mr Sheehan. He questioned the priorities of an Education Minister who, since taking office, has hit the ground running in...
I congratulate New Irish Arts on celebrating its 30th anniversary at the weekend with two very special performances at the Waterfront Hall. For over three decades, the New Irish Arts group has...
I pay tribute to the life of Robin Kyle, who was suddenly called home last Wednesday while sitting peacefully in front of the fire in his living room. Robin was well known in the farming...
Thank you, Mr Speaker. Sadly, people in many homes across Northern Ireland are grieving today due to the tragic loss of a loved one on our roads. The shock of that never leaves you. There is an...
Before we move to the next item of business, I have one other issue that I want to bring before the House. It is to remind Members of Standing Order 1(2): "The Speaker’s ruling shall be...
I beg to move That this Assembly regrets the state of mental health service provision in Northern Ireland; laments that the number of people who have passed away as a result of suicide is higher...
Question 11 has been withdrawn.
1. Mr Carroll asked the Minister for Infrastructure to outline the rationale for changing the 10J and 10K bus services in Belfast. (AQO 855/22-27)
2. Ms Ennis asked the Minister for Infrastructure when remedial works will be carried out to repair landslides at Shore Road, Rostrevor, and Kilkeel Road, Hilltown, following the heavy rainfall...
3. Mr Butler asked the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on the A1 Hillsborough to Newry dual carriageway upgrade project. (AQO 857/22-27)
4. Mr Dunne asked the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on the draft report on the part-time 20 mph speed limits at schools review. (AQO 858/22-27)
5. Mr McGrath asked the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on measures taken to manage school traffic along Edward Street, Downpatrick. (AQO 859/22-27)
6. Mrs Dodds asked the Minister for Infrastructure to outline the total volume of untreated sewage discharged into Belfast lough. (AQO 860/22-27)
7. Ms Kimmins asked the Minister for Infrastructure, following the publication of the ‘Review of South East Flooding Autumn 2023’, what measures will be put in place in relation to...
8. Mr Brett asked the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on the York Street interchange scheme. (AQO 862/22-27)
T1. Mr Durkan asked the Minister for Infrastructure what action he is taking to improve the electric vehicle charging network. (AQT 571/22-27)
T2. Mr Buckley asked the Minister for Infrastructure, whom he believes to be in fine form today, to explain in detail his Department's plans to alleviate serious congestion across Belfast and...
T3. Mrs Dillon asked the Minister for Infrastructure whether he can confirm that a recommendation from the PSNI is required for requests to reduce a speed limit from 40 mph to 30 mph. (AQT 573/22-27)
T4. Mr Brooks asked the Minister for Infrastructure to undertake to talk to relevant colleagues and review the weekend's traffic chaos, which impacted his East Belfast constituency, in...
T6. Ms Kimmins asked the Minister for Infrastructure for his assessment of the success of part-time 20 mph zones outside schools. (AQT 576/22-27)
T7. Mr Allen asked the Minister for Infrastructure to give an update on the status of the departmental taxi advisory forum. (AQT 577/22-27)
T9. Mr Dunne asked the Minister for Infrastructure for his assessment of the impact of the introduction of one-year temporary exemption certificates on our MOT test waiting times. (AQT 579/22-27)
T10. Mr Tennyson asked the Minister for Infrastructure if he has had any engagement with the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council on the proposed changes to traffic flow at...
We move now to questions to the Minister of Justice. That is something for that Minister to follow. Questions 2, 3 and 8 have been withdrawn, and questions 6 and 10 are grouped.
1. Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Justice whether the recruitment campaign for the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) has commenced. (AQO 870/22-27)
4. Miss McAllister asked the Minister of Justice for her assessment of the link between the tackling paramilitarism, criminality and organised crime programme and the ending violence against...
5. Mr Tennyson asked the Minister of Justice for her assessment of the budgetary pressures facing her Department. (AQO 874/22-27)
6. Mr McHugh asked the Minister of Justice whether her Department is planning a review into prisoner educational programmes at Magilligan prison. (AQO 875/22-27)
7. Mr Dunne asked the Minister of Justice whether she has plans to provide additional resources to the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC), following her meeting with the Minister for...
9. Mr Donnelly asked the Minister of Justice to outline how her Department is working to reduce its carbon footprint. (AQO 878/22-27)
12. Mr Beattie asked the Minister of Justice whether she will publish all of the findings of the independent review of the Northern Ireland Policing Board. (AQO 881/22-27)
13. Mrs Dodds asked the Minister of Justice to outline the budget allocated to part-time PSNI Reserve officers for each of the past five years. (AQO 882/22-27)
14. Mr Allen asked the Minister of Justice to outline her Department’s policies to address antisocial behaviour (ASB). (AQO 883/22-27)
T1. Mr McNulty asked the Minister of Justice, referring to Rebecca Black's worrying piece in 'The Irish News' today on the recent, damning report from the Commissioner Designate for Victims of...
T2. Ms Ennis asked the Minister of Justice to outline the state of the current prison population and, specifically, of capacity in the prison system. (AQT 582/22-27)
T3. Ms Ferguson asked the Minister of Justice what specific rules currently exist in the prison system for adjudications by governors in relation to sanctions that are given out and grounds for...
T4. Ms Armstrong asked the Minister of Justice for an update on her Department's implementation of the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act 2024. (AQT 584/22-27)
T5. Mr Dickson asked the Minister of Justice to outline the level of cooperation on mental health that her Department has with the Department of Health and, in particular, the Minister of Health,...
T6. Ms Egan asked the Minister of Justice for an update on the domestic and sexual abuse strategy, which her Department launched last week, specifically on how it will work with the ending...
Debate resumed on amendment to motion: That this Assembly regrets the state of mental health service provision in Northern Ireland; laments that the number of people who have passed away as a...
I beg to move That this Assembly commends the work of the community and voluntary sector, which provides vital mental health services for the most vulnerable in society; recognises the immense...
I beg to move That this Assembly recognises that the challenges of mental health are not confined to a single Department but impact on all aspects of government policy; regrets that a lack of...
