Cathal Boylan: 6. Mr Boylan asked the Minister of Justice for her assessment of the Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) ‘Report on an Unannounced Inspection of Magilligan Prison’. (AQO 3322/17-22)
Cathal Boylan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. I thank the Minister for her answer. The recent Criminal Justice Inspection report identified the use of illegal drugs and diverted prescription medication in prison as a key area of concern. When will body scanners be introduced in prisons in the North to prevent the smuggling of drugs? Can she introduce any other measures to prevent that?
Cathal Boylan: 14. Mr Boylan asked the Minister of Finance for an update on financial contingency plans, in the absence of an Executive Budget. (AQO 3272/17-22)
Cathal Boylan: I will speak in favour of the Bill. It has been a long haul, and I start by thanking the administrative back-up in the form of Autism NI and the National Autistic Society, which have worked hard with us over a number of years. I have been on the all-party group on autism for 15 years, and I am delighted to be its vice chair. I preface my next comment by saying that we have tried strategies...
Cathal Boylan: Éirím le labhairt i bhfabhar an Bhille. I rise to speak in favour of the Bill. I support this Bill in order to prevent an increase in insurance prices. Clearly, we are in the middle of a cost of living crisis. The rising cost of energy, food and fuel bills has placed an unacceptable burden on families, and we need to do everything that we can to tackle the cost of living crisis and help...
Cathal Boylan: T1. Mr Boylan asked the Minister of Justice to state whether she is aware of prisoners in the Maghaberry and Hydebank Wood prisons being denied in-person visits, even though COVID-19 restrictions have been removed in wider society. (AQT 2101/17-22)
Cathal Boylan: I thank the Minister for her response. Minister, clearly the screens and other measures are burdensome for the prisoners and their families. You gave a provisional date of 4 April: is there any opportunity for that date to be brought forward?
Cathal Boylan: The Minister will be familiar with the proposals by the AERA Minister to change the rules on the single farm payment by increasing the threshold for making claims from 3 hectares to 10 hectares. That will impact on small farmers and those people who wish to reside in the countryside in the future. What assessment has the Minister done to ensure that we will have sustainable farms in the...
Cathal Boylan: I will speak in favour of amendment Nos 2 and 3 and take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Committee as I did not get an opportunity to do so at Consideration Stage. I thank the Committee Chair and the Committee for their work in tabling good amendments to the Bill. Whilst today's amendments are technical, the amendments that it tabled at Consideration Stage have added another layer of...
Cathal Boylan: Will the Member give way?
Cathal Boylan: I was sorely tempted to speak on this, but the Speaker gave a ruling earlier. The all-party group has recognised every contributor in the past who helped to bring the Bill to this stage. Clearly, the Bill needs to come forward now. Does the Member recognise the hard work of the Committee in bringing seven good amendments that will enhance the Bill and ensure that it will go forward in the...
Cathal Boylan: I thank the Member for giving way. Will he clearly identify that the assessment process should include adult services, because that is a key element and has been lacking in previous strategies?
Cathal Boylan: I do not propose to speak for as long as the previous two Members did. Whilst the Bill is only a two-clause Bill, it is clear that it took a lot of definition and explanation. The most important thing is the impact that the Bill will have on our citizens. Putting money into people's pockets is a priority for Sinn Féin. The Bill will help to prevent the increase in insurance premiums for...
Cathal Boylan: Agreeing to take accelerated passage is a decision that we should never take lightly. The Assembly should actively seek to avoid it unless it is absolutely necessary. However, I believe that it is justified on this occasion. I recognise that the Minister was originally pursuing the legislation through a legislative consent motion (LCM), but, at the last minute, Westminster declined the offer....
Cathal Boylan: Will the Member give way?
Cathal Boylan: Will the Member give way?
Cathal Boylan: Will the Member give way?
Cathal Boylan: Apologies, Mr Speaker. A couple of Committee members talked earlier about innovative measures. Over the last 12 or 18 months, we, as a Committee, have never got an answer from the Minister on the theory test centre in Fermanagh. There is also the issue of biennial testing, which Members may agree or disagree with. Mr Beggs suggested the extension of temporary certificates. Those things were...
Cathal Boylan: Ba mhaith liom labhairt i bhfabhar an rúin. I will speak in favour of the motion. I remind Members that the role of a Committee is to scrutinise, not criticise, and part of its responsibility is to try to work with the Department in order to address the issues, which is why we brought the motion to the Floor today. I want to put that on the record. At the outset, I welcome the motion and...
Cathal Boylan: I welcome the news. Minister, given that no additional bids were made in the January monitoring round for additional roadworks and the fact that you have responded to me in writing that contracts will not be issued in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon area until at least May, what measures are you taking to address some of the outstanding issues that we are still facing with the dire...
