Tuesday, 8 April 2025
The Assembly met at 10:30 am (Speaker [Mr Poots] in the Chair). Members observed two minutes' silence.
Before we begin, I ask for the House's indulgence to stray slightly from our normal procedures. Today is the last sitting before Dr Alex McGarel retires from the Assembly. While she has been at...
Go raibh maith agaibh, a chairde. [Translation: Thank you, friends.] As we speak, the Mournes are burning. They have been burning for three weeks. Huge tracts of land have been destroyed, and all...
I extend warmest congratulations to the Belfast Giants, who have once again made Northern Ireland proud by winning the Elite Ice Hockey League title for the 2024-25 season, which is the third...
I rise to note a recent report from independent academics in London that has laid bare the severe damage that Assembly collapse and stop-start government is causing to communities and public...
The lack of preschool places is causing great distress to families across Fermanagh. I have been contacted by countless parents who are anxious, frustrated and deeply concerned because they...
I praise two championship-winning Belfast teams that raised their league trophy last weekend. By number of league title wins, one team is the most successful team in the United Kingdom in the...
I rise to highlight the deeply concerning evidence that the Education Committee received last week about the Education Authority's (EA) 14-plus transitions service. The service is tasked to...
Yesterday evening, I was privileged to join the deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, at Bloody Bridge to meet and thank the incredible team that is responding to the fires in the Mournes....
I rise for the third time in the Chamber to raise the issue of the imposition of Irish language signage at Grand Central station. I do so, Ms Hunter, not because of a coloniser mindset, but...
I stand today to give voice to the growing frustration and disappointment felt by many hard-working families in our community. Those families are being denied preschool places for their children...
I am delighted to congratulate Harmony Hill Primary School in Lisburn on celebrating its 60th anniversary. I pay tribute to the leadership team of Mrs Johnston and Mr Henry for the work that they...
I raise again the desperate situation of many families who need respite services. It must be said that, in many situations, respite is the bare minimum that many of our carers and families get....
I beg to move That the Child Support Enforcement Bill [NIA Bill 05/22-27] do now pass.
I beg to move That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions of the Employment Rights Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 10 October...
I beg to move That the draft Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 be approved.
Question 8 has been withdrawn.
1. Mr Brooks asked the Minister of Health for an update on improving access to paediatric percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube surgery in Northern Ireland. (AQO 1870/22-27)
2. Mr Irwin asked the Minister of Health to outline any lessons learned from winter pressures on the health service. (AQO 1871/22-27)
3. Mr Beattie asked the Minister of Health for an update on the work of the Regional Trauma Network (RTN) in supporting victims and survivors of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. (AQO 1872/22-27)
4. Mr McAleer asked the Minister of Health for an update on capital investment plans for Carrickmore Health Centre. (AQO 1873/22-27)
5. Ms McLaughlin asked the Minister of Health for an update on the introduction of a redress scheme for those injured by vaginal mesh. (AQO 1874/22-27)
T1. Mr McGrath asked the Minister of Health, after acknowledging the hard work, dedication and bravery of our whole-time and, especially, retained firefighters from across the Mournes and beyond,...
T2. Ms K Armstrong asked the Minister of Health, given that family practitioners such as GPs, community pharmacists, dentists and opticians have estimated that the increases to employers'...
T3. Mrs Erskine asked the Minister of Health, following on from Ms Armstrong's question on this important issue that will affect everybody in Northern Ireland, given that, in the Chamber, we have...
T4. Mr Mathison asked the Minister of Health to outline what steps are being taken to deliver a facial palsy pathway in Northern Ireland, following a recent event in Parliament Buildings...
T5. Ms Flynn asked the Minister of Health to clarify, given the letter that he sent to Health Committee members yesterday on the budget for waiting lists, whether he has considered the...
I beg to move That this Assembly notes the Committee for Finance and the Committee for the Economy’s report on the impact of the Chancellor’s autumn Budget statement on critical...
I beg to move That this Assembly notes the Committee for Finance and the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council reports on the 2025-26 draft Budget; and calls on the Minister of Finance to give due...
In conjunction with the Business Committee, the Speaker has given leave to Michelle Guy to raise the matter of the lack of respite provision in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust...
