Monday, 21 October 2024
The Assembly met at 12 noon (Speaker [Mr Poots] in the Chair). Members observed two minutes' silence.
Before we commence business today, I have six matters to deal with. I trust that you will bear with me.
First, I inform the House that the Budget (No.2) Bill received Royal Assent on 18 October 2024. It will be known as the Budget (No.2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2024, and it is Chapter 4.
Secondly, I note that points of order have been a more frequent occurrence in the past few weeks. Where it is necessary to raise procedural points, it is right that Members do so. However, a...
Finally, on a similar note, in line with convention, I inform the House that I will be absent from the sitting tomorrow for a family engagement.
I will speak about an issue that brings me no joy whatsoever. Forty-two women and girls have been murdered in just under eight years in the North of Ireland: 42 women and girls, with their lives...
There is increasing concern in my constituency regarding the provision of GP services. Over the past number of weeks, I have been made aware of the potential closure of Fairhill medical centre in...
On Saturday night, I had the pleasure of being at Windsor Park to cheer on Lisburn Rangers Ladies in the Women's Challenge Cup final. What a story and journey those girls have been on. Four years...
I want to raise, as Emma Sheerin did, the epidemic of violence against women and femicide in this society. On the front of the 'Belfast Telegraph' today, we see listed the 42 women who have lost...
Ba mhaith liom aird a dhíriú ar eagraíocht phobail Ghaeilge i mo thoghlach, Glór na Móna, atá ag céiliúradh 20 bliain ar an fhód. Eagraíocht...
[Translation: I want to draw attention to an Irish-language community group in my constituency, Glór na Móna, that is celebrating 20 years of existence. Glór na Móna is an...
I welcome the positive news regarding the recruitment of a new Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland. That development, which follows commitments secured during a debate at Westminster, is...
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has reached a point of unimaginable suffering. I know that I am not alone in being deeply pained by the images and stories of innocent people who have lost...
Unfortunately, I rise to address an issue that touches on the one raised by Emma Sheerin: the absolutely unacceptable nature of violence against women and girls in our society. Yesterday, I...
Seventeen years ago, 21-year-old Paul Quinn was lured to a farm just over the Monaghan border and brutally set upon by what appear to have been 10 to a dozen men. They beat him with iron bars and...
I congratulate Carey Faughs GAC on winning the intermediate hurling final on Saturday afternoon. First, though, I want to send commiserations. It was the beeziest pitch-side experience I have...
Tá cúrsaí in Gaza ag dul chun donais gach lá dá bhfuil ag teacht. Tá Iosrael ag cur bac ar chabhair dhaoiniúil agus ar lón bia ag gabháil isteach i...
[Translation: The situation in Gaza is getting worse every day. Israel is blocking humanitarian aid and food entering northern Gaza at every turn. It is not I who claim that but a top official of...
I bring the attention of the House to something that has been bubbling under the surface for quite some time and will have a major impact on drivers in Northern Ireland: the news that the Driver...
I rise to address an issue that is a source of frustration across the North, but I will speak specifically about Derry, particularly the periphery of the city centre, where the need for...
Resolved: That Mr Colin Crawford replace Mr John Stewart as a member of the Public Accounts Committee; and that Mr John Stewart be appointed as a member of the Assembly and Executive Review...
I have received notice from the Minister of Education that he wishes to make a statement.
I beg to move That the draft Period Products (the Executive Office Specified Public Service Bodies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 be approved.
The next item of business is a motion to approve a draft statutory rule. I will give the Minister a moment to arrive, as we have moved slightly ahead of time. I ask Members to take their ease for...
Questions 1 and 11 have been withdrawn.
2. Miss McIlveen asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide an update on the recent International Investment Summit 2024. (AQO 990/22-27)
3. Ms McLaughlin asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline what steps they have taken to ensure that their work representing the interests of victims and survivors has not...
4. Mr K Buchanan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide an update on the first Council of the Nations and Regions meeting. (AQO 992/22-27)
5. Mr Brett asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the Urban Villages initiative in North Belfast. (AQO 993/22-27)
6. Ms Flynn asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on their plans to develop a racial equality strategy post-2025. (AQO 994/22-27)
7. Mrs Dillon asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the next steps in the process of establishing a statutory inquiry and a financial redress scheme for those affected by...
8. Mr Blair asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the appointment of a climate commissioner. (AQO 996/22-27)
T1. Mr McNulty asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether, given concern about Sinn Féin's lack of openness and transparency when explaining the recent departure of senior...
T2. Mr McAleer asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, who will be aware of the importance of the basic payment scheme as they represent largely rural constituencies, and given the...
T3. Mr Brett asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in light of the fact that, after another week with another safeguarding scandal and yet another attempt to provide the public with...
T4. Mr Crawford asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether there is any strategy or legislation that is not progressing through the Executive Office due to any ongoing...
T5. Mr Harvey asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, who will be aware of the plans to charge VAT on private schools and how that will inadvertently affect small, independent schools...
T6. Mr McHugh asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline their plans for the delivery of the next phase of the north-west development fund. (AQT 666/22-27)
T7. Mr Durkan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether they believe that the so-called Peacemakers Museum in Derry improves good relations outcomes and promotes integration,...
T8. Mr Buckley asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to explain what on earth possessed the First Minister's party to release a glowing tribute to Senator Ó Donnghaile, which...
1. Mr McNulty asked the Minister for Infrastructure for his assessment of whether the budget allocated by NI Water in the price control (PC) 21 period is sufficient to meet the current and future...
2. Ms Ferguson asked the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on the review of residents' parking schemes. (AQO 1005/22-27)
3. Mr McReynolds asked the Minister for Infrastructure whether his Department has made an initial assessment of the impact developer contributions will have on waste water system capacity. (AQO...
6. Ms Brownlee asked the Minister for Infrastructure to outline what action his Department plans to take to address road maintenance issues in East Antrim in the 2024-25 financial year. (AQO...
7. Mr Dickson asked the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on the York Street interchange scheme. (AQO 1010/22-27)
8. Mr Harvey asked the Minister for Infrastructure what steps his Department is taking to improve safety on the Portaferry Road, Newtownards, following a number of accidents over the past year....
9. Mr Robinson asked the Minister for Infrastructure for his Department's estimated cost of a bypass around Ballykelly village. (AQO 1012/22-27)
10. Ms Ennis asked the Minister for Infrastructure to outline the details of his pilot scheme for bilingual road signs in the Gaeltacht Quarter, Belfast. (AQO 1013/22-27)
11. Mr K Buchanan asked the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on the cross-departmental working group that was set up to consider how community transport groups, Departments and other...
T2. Mr Honeyford asked the Minister for Infrastructure to commit to reviewing on-street parking in Lisburn, given that its traders are disadvantaged compared with those in other local towns, such...
T3. Mr Gildernew asked the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on the Enniskillen bypass. (AQT 673/22-27)
T4. Mr Bradley asked the Minister for Infrastructure to detail, without simply saying "all constituencies", the constituencies in Northern Ireland in which the lack of infrastructure is a major...
T5. Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Infrastructure to outline what he is doing to improve the flow of traffic in the Larne West area, particularly at Donaghy's Lane and the Ballyhampton Road,...
T6. Mr Kingston asked the Minister for Infrastructure to confirm whether the closure of the left-hand turn from Great Victoria Street on to the Grosvenor Road at the Fitzwilliam Hotel in Belfast...
T7. Mr Sheehan asked the Minister for Infrastructure to outline the benefit of allowing taxis to use the bus lanes while the public realm works are being carried out at Grand Central station....
T8. Mr McMurray asked the Minister for Infrastructure, given that we are approaching the anniversary of the flooding in Newcastle, to reassure residents that agencies in his Department are...
T9. Mr McGuigan asked the Minister for Infrastructure to provide his assessment of how crucial he believes the uptake of zero-emission vehicles is in combating climate change. (AQT 679/22-27)
Debate resumed on motion: That the draft Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 be approved. — [Mr C Murphy (The Minister for the Economy).]
I beg to move That this Assembly recognises the negative impact that the lack of specialist teachers of the deaf and other essential specialist educational support professionals has on deaf...
I have received notification from the Business Committee of a motion to extend the sitting past 7.00 pm under Standing Order 10(3A). Resolved: That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the...
I beg to move That this Assembly recognises the inadequate provision of respite services for adults with learning difficulties, complex needs, and challenging behaviour; acknowledges that respite...
