T3. Mr Chambers asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to give an initial assessment of the benefits of the visit to Washington last week by a large Northern Ireland delegation. (AQT 1143/22-27)

As the Member is aware, I did not attend Washington last week for reasons that I have just referenced: the situation in Palestine and the stance of the US Administration. I simply will not turn the other way when I see such a breach of international law and the genocide of the Palestinian people. I tell you all, when people reflect on this period, they will see that there were those who decided to look away and those who did not. I am proud to say that I did not look away.

I believe that we can take that principled position but also work to promote our local economy, which I am glad that we were able to do during the recent week. It showcased the North as a great place in which to live, work, invest and study. We very much took that message when the deputy First Minister and I led a Chamber of Commerce delegation to mark the 1st anniversary of the memorandum of understanding with the North Carolina Chamber. That, in itself, was an opportunity for us to promote our vision for our economy and also to say that this is such a fantastic place with such innovators and world-leading businesses. It gave the deputy First Minister and I great pride to lead such a strong delegation of local business people. It gave us an opportunity to extend an invitation to the North Carolina Chamber and its political representatives to come here at some stage, hopefully this year. That will allow us to further the relationships that we have built.

As you know, the deputy First Minister then went to Washington and carried out a whole programme of events, again with those messages of this being a great place for investment, with great agility and a small community that can be world-leading in many areas.

Focusing on the economic benefits, does the First Minister agree that her full attendance in Washington, in her position as a First Minister for all, would have added value to the visit?

I am content with the decision that I made. I am sure that the deputy First Minister is also content with her decision.