Monday, 14 October 2024
The Assembly met at 12 noon (Speaker [Mr Poots] in the Chair). Members observed two minutes' silence.
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I refer to the Second Stage of the Justice Bill, which occurred on 1 October. At that stage, I stood in my capacity as Chair of the Committee. Today, I do so in a...
Last Tuesday, the Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, held a meeting with the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) at its request. That was the second such meeting between the LCC and a DUP...
Saturday 5 October saw the commencement of Northern Ireland's newest parkrun, at Paisley Park on the West Circular Road in Belfast. That is really positive for the community, as it is the first...
I rise to acknowledge the achievement of young Leon Toase, who has become the youngest person to summit the highest peaks in Ireland's 32 counties. At seven years of age, Leon hails from...
On Friday, I visited a fantastic tourist attraction just outside Banbridge. My colleague might talk about it as well because she also visited. I am talking about the 'Game of Thrones' studio...
A short distance from Strabane town centre is a small, quaint village known as Ballymagorry. It is a tight-knit local community in a rural part of my constituency, where people have lived for a...
There was a lot of Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) activity in County Antrim over the weekend. It was impossible to be everywhere, but I was lucky enough to be in Cushendall yesterday for the...
I will talk about the consultation on public health policy. Given the number of emails received on the consultation and the interest shown in it, it is worthwhile putting on record my position...
I speak as chair of the all-party group on active travel in concern at an announcement last Friday afternoon by the Minister for Infrastructure that he will introduce an experimental scheme to...
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Kilcoo senior men's GAA team on its remarkable achievement this weekend in securing its sixth consecutive Down Senior Football Championship. The...
Maedi visna (MV) is a highly infectious viral disease affecting goats and sheep. It is transmitted through the ingestion of milk from a virus-infected sheep and within flocks through direct...
From just before sunset on Friday to dusk on Saturday marked Yom Kippur. Across the world but particularly in the homes of our many Jewish friends and colleagues, it is by observing their prayers...
I want to touch briefly on some good news, some frustrating news and some more concerning developments. First, train services have begun, with the restarting of full cross-border services, at...
The next item of business is a motion to approve a statutory rule (SR).
I beg to move That the draft Human Medicines (Amendments Relating to Naloxone and Transfers of Functions) Regulations 2024 be approved.
I beg to move That the draft Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (Amendment) Order 2024 be approved.
The next item in the Order Paper is a prayer of annulment from the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
1. Mr Beattie asked the Minister of Education what discussions he has had with the Minister for Infrastructure in relation to ensuring there is sufficient school provision in the catchment area...
2. Mr Harvey asked the Minister of Education to outline how schools are assessed for eligibility for refurbishment projects. (AQO 945/22-27)
3. Mr McAleer asked the Minister of Education for an update on the progress of delivering the Strule Shared Education Campus. (AQO 946/22-27)
4. Mr Delargy asked the Minister of Education for an update on funding from the school enhancement programme for Holy Child Primary School, Foyle. (AQO 947/22-27)
5. Mr O'Toole asked the Minister of Education how many organisations he has declined to meet since taking office. (AQO 948/22-27)
6. Mr Brett asked the Minister of Education for an update on his work to create a management authority to support the controlled schools' sector. (AQO 949/22-27)
7. Mr McGrath asked the Minister of Education what measures he can take to improve the management of school transport provision at the start of the school year. (AQO 950/22-27)
8. Ms Sheerin asked the Minister of Education for an update on the review of the home to school transport policy. (AQO 951/22-27)
T1. Ms Hunter asked the Minister of Education, after stating that it has been great to see parents availing of the NI childcare subsidy scheme announced in May this year, whether, as indicated in...
T3. Mr Clarke asked the Minister of Education, after commending him for its roll-out, how much of the £25 million childcare package is still to be rolled out. (AQT 633/22-27)
T4. Ms Egan asked the Minister of Education, further to the commitment that he previously made at Question Time, to provide an update on his engagement with the Health Minister on nursing...
T6. Mr K Buchanan asked the Minister of Education what contact he has had with His Majesty's Treasury about VAT on independent schools. (AQT 636/22-27)
T7. Ms Kimmins asked the Minister of Education for an update on plans to fund the Scoil Spreagtha scheme in primary schools, given that it is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn Irish...
T8. Mr Harvey asked the Minister for an update on the consultation on the school uniform policy. (AQT 638/22-27)
T9. Mr McHugh asked the Minister of Education, who will be aware of the challenges that many families face in securing an autism assessment and diagnosis for their child, whether he will outline...
1. Mr Mathison asked the Minister of Finance for an update on the interim public-sector transformation board. (AQO 959/22-27)
2. Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Finance to outline how many businesses have benefited from the 50% rate discount since the launch of the back in business scheme in May 2024. (AQO 960/22-27)
4. Ms Kimmins asked the Minister of Finance for an update on the baby loss certificate scheme. (AQO 962/22-27)
5. Ms Ennis asked the Minister of Finance for an update on her plans to bring forward proposals to update the rating policy. (AQO 963/22-27)
6. Ms Á Murphy asked the Minister of Finance to outline her next steps in relation to the Budget sustainability plan. (AQO 964/22-27)
7. Mrs Erskine asked the Minister of Finance for an update on discussions with Treasury regarding the pause in funding for the Mid South West and Causeway Coast and Glens growth deals. (AQO 965/22-27)
T1. Mr O'Toole asked the Minister of Finance, given that, earlier in the year, Members were told that delaying the June monitoring round by just a few days would have catastrophic consequences,...
T3. Mr Middleton asked the Minister of Finance whether she can provide any support to businesses that are affected by and dealing with challenging environments and rising costs, a situation that...
T4. Mr Sheehan asked the Minister of Finance whether she thinks that it is appropriate to meet the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) on matters of public policy. (AQT 644/22-27)
I declare an interest in that my husband's family lives along the A5.
T6. Mrs Mason asked the Minister of Finance for an update on her plans to reform marriage legislation. (AQT 646/22-27)
T7. Ms Á Murphy asked the Minister of Finance whether there has been any further clarity on additional Barnett consequentials that are to be received this year. (AQT 647/22-27)
T8. Ms Nicholl asked the Minister of Finance to outline the timetable for the Budget 2025-26 process. (AQT 648/22-27)
I am glad I was in the Chamber.
Joanne Bunting has given notice of a question for urgent oral answer to the Minister of Justice. As the Justice Minister is unavailable, the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs...
Debate resumed on motion: That the Hops Certification (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 [SR 2024/171] be annulled. — [Mr Butler (The Chairperson of the Committee for...
I beg to move That this Assembly acknowledges the vital role of the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice in providing palliative care for children with life-limiting and life-threatening...
