Michelle McIlveen: The Minister will be aware of the challenges that COVID has created for the haulage industry, which has had little to no support. The cessation of testing for drivers has had a further impact. As HGV drivers retire, there is no new pool of drivers to replace them. Will the Minister look at prioritising that important sector?
Michelle McIlveen: I will pass on the Education Committee Chairperson's high praise for the Education Minister, which I am sure he will appreciate; long may it last. [Laughter.] I welcome the opportunity to outline the Committee for Infrastructure’s consideration and views in today's debate. I would like to quickly outline the Committee’s consideration of the 2020-21 Budget and then move on to how the...
Michelle McIlveen: T4. Miss McIlveen asked the Minister for Infrastructure, in light of the fact that social distancing is likely to be with us for some considerable time, whether she will commit to looking seriously at alternative types of shelter for the Strangford ferry, given that, in answer to a question for written answer on the provision of additional shelter for foot passengers, including...
Michelle McIlveen: As the Minister will be aware, residents of the Ards peninsula use the Strangford ferry as others across Northern Ireland use the bus to go to work. Will she commit to introducing a permanent 7:00 am ferry from Portaferry for workers, many of whom are key workers in the health and social care sector or in construction, who cannot get to work on time at the moment?
Michelle McIlveen: Like my constituency colleague, I have asked for a review of the speed limit along the A20 Portaferry road, along with the A21, A22 and A23 in the constituency. Despite accidents, none of them has been reduced. Unfortunately, and perhaps unfairly, the Department has a reputation for not wanting to act until there is a fatality. Minister, is it not time to review the national speed limits,...
Michelle McIlveen: I welcome the principles set out in 'Creating an Inclusive Future Vision for our Ageing Populations'. Over the years, development plans in the UK and other countries have placed a great deal of focus on the young and have largely excluded older people. Cities and towns are not the exclusive property of the young, and it is important that spatial planning policies are developed to be as...
Michelle McIlveen: 3. Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Finance whether he will work with Executive colleagues to prepare a comprehensive package of measures to assist businesses that service the aviation industry and that have been badly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. (AQO 1613/17-22)
Michelle McIlveen: I thank the Minister for his answer. The huge drop in revenue as a result of fewer flights has caused devastating losses to other people and industries, such as engineers, travel agents, airport car parks and taxi operators. What are the Minister and his Department doing to assist other Ministers to prepare a package of measures to support those businesses specifically?
Michelle McIlveen: T4. Miss McIlveen asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in light of the positive news today from Scotland in relation to data, which demonstrates that the roll-out of the vaccination programme has led to a significant reduction in the number of people who are being hospitalised, whether the deputy First Minister can confirm that that type of data will be included in future...
Michelle McIlveen: I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. We are all aware that work is ongoing to produce a pathway out of lockdown. The deputy First Minister should know that people are mindful of the need to protect lives and the health service, but they are also weary. Will she give a commitment that that pathway will be meaningful, detailed and unambiguous and will have clear targets?
Michelle McIlveen: I welcome the Minister's announcement that a new scheme will open for private bus and coach operators. Will she give an assurance that that will not just be an extension of the previous scheme, given the issues that have been associated with that? Will she also commit to a similar scheme for taxi operators, mindful that the Finance Minister has money to spend?
Michelle McIlveen: I welcome the opportunity to speak as Chair of the Committee for Infrastructure in support of this important statutory rule. As the Minister outlined, the statutory rule is one of two considered by the Committee for Infrastructure that will increase the penalties that are incurred by drivers who are found to be using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving. It is well established that using a...
Michelle McIlveen: 3. Miss McIlveen asked the Minister for the Economy for an update on the challenges of the protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. (AQO 1448/17-22)
Michelle McIlveen: I thank the Minister for her answer. I welcome the resolution of the steel issue, which is critical for manufacturing in Northern Ireland. Last Wednesday, the Infrastructure Committee heard from a delegation of haulage sector representatives about the challenges that they are facing as a consequence of the implementation of the protocol. They were united in their call for the simplification...
Michelle McIlveen: T6. Miss McIlveen asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, whether, following her comments about cooperation, the deputy First Minister can outline how long for and in what ways the Northern Ireland Executive have been engaging with the Irish Government to access passenger locator forms for people who are entering the Irish Republic. (AQT 896/17-22)
Michelle McIlveen: Does the deputy First Minister share my concern that the reluctance of the Irish Government to share the information is perhaps an indication that the system that is being used is maybe not being managed properly by the Irish authorities, and that could have serious consequences for people in Northern Ireland?
Michelle McIlveen: I welcome the opportunity to speak at the Final Stage of the Harbours Bill. As I said before, the Bill in itself is not contentious, however the procedure used to bring forward the Bill is something that the Committee found less than agreeable. Agreeing to the accelerated passage of any Bill does not sit well with the Committee for Infrastructure. Our frustration was compounded by the fact...
Michelle McIlveen: 2. Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Health how much has been spent on training for those administering the COVID-19 vaccine programme to date. (AQO 1361/17-22)
Michelle McIlveen: I thank the Minister for his answer. What consideration is being given to review the policy that only nurses who retired after 2015 can be added to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register when, clearly, a sizeable number of qualified people who retired prior to that date could assist with the vaccination programme?
Michelle McIlveen: T3. Miss McIlveen asked the Minister of Education, after declaring an interest as a governor of Nendrum College, Comber, for an update on any discussions that are being held about controlled post-primary provision in the Ards area. (AQT 813/17-22)