All of Dr Caoimhe Archibald’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
When the conflict in the Middle East began, the reduction in electricity bills of around £30 a year had already been announced, with delivery being progressed by my Department. Many of our households and businesses are already under pressure from the cost-of-living crisis, and the new energy shock is compounding those…
Prior to the onset of the most recent energy price crisis that has resulted from the Israeli/US attacks in Iran, I and my Department have been working to implement the reduction in electricity bills announced by the British Chancellor in the Budget last November. Despite our being excluded originally from the British…
The Member seriously misrepresents my party's policies. For his information, rather than losing jobs, we have been successful in securing jobs over the past year, such as the 100 jobs with Biller Genie that were announced in November; the 100 jobs that were announced by Napier Technologies last February; the jobs that…
As I have outlined, meetings with prospective investors are conducted confidentially to protect commercially sensitive information and to respect all parties' privacy. Accordingly, it is not appropriate for me to comment on or disclose any details of my meeting with the company.
The company has indicated that it views releasing information about its strategy or decision-making as harmful to its commercial position, so it is not appropriate for me to do so.
Despite the US Administration's swing towards protectionism and the adoption of an "America First" policy, the North remains an attractive location for US investment, and engagement remains strong. An essential prerequisite for engaging with US companies and any prospective investor is that their privacy is respected…
I beg to move Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Today, I seek the Assembly's approval of the draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026. The statutory rule (SR), made under the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, seeks to change the index used to apply inflationary…
The draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 That the draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 be approved.
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I welcome the opportunity to respond to the motion. It has been very interesting to listen to Members' contributions this evening. I believe passionately in the right of every student or young person, regardless of their background, to access high-quality education and…
Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. In accordance with section 52 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, I wish to make a statement on the British-Irish Council (BIC) ministerial meeting in energy work sector format, which was held on Thursday 12 February. The British Government in London hosted the…
I thank the Member for his question. The Finance Minister leads on the issue in engaging with the British Government, and he has also been engaging with all the relevant Ministers, because we are all really concerned about the impact. There is a significant funding shortfall. We obviously have a very constrained…
I referenced the issue to other colleagues earlier. I am hugely concerned about the approach of the British Government to the local growth fund. That concern is shared by all the Ministers around the Executive table. We know of the impact of the organisations across our community and voluntary sector who support some…
I thank the Member for his question. I too have received correspondence, perhaps from elected representatives, in respect of that issue. I do not have the detail before me, but, if the Member wanted to correspond with me, I would be happy to provide him with detail on that and provide signposting for his constituents…
I thank the Member for her question. She is right: it is comprehensive legislation. The Office of the Legislative Counsel is working diligently to complete its drafting. Obviously, all parties around the Executive table will have the opportunity to ensure its speedy progression. Of course, once it is in the Assembly…
I thank the Member for her question. I have a paper before the Executive with the detailed policy proposals in relation to the 'good jobs' Bill. As the Member will be aware from when I was at the Committee a few weeks ago, we anticipate that the drafting of the Bill will be completed by the end of March or early…
As I have reflected previously, it is important that we take on board learnings from elsewhere and ensure that interventions are set at the right level to encourage people to incorporate renewables and energy efficiency measures. The consultation has been completed, and we are now moving to the stage of developing the…
I thank the Member for the question. As I outlined to Mr Wilson in a previous response, we published the consultation report just a few weeks ago. Officials are in the process of developing proposals for how we will support domestic households in respect of energy efficiency. Those proposals will go out for…
The research team at Stranmillis is committed to engaging broadly and ensuring that lived experience, as well as operational reality, is reflected in its findings. Indeed, stakeholder engagement will be central to the research, with the views of Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, Gaelchúrsaí, further education colleges,…
I thank the Member for his question. The 'Skills Action Plan', which I published last October, includes a clear commitment to: "build the evidence base on the barriers faced by Irish Medium learners" who access vocational pathways. I am pleased to say that, with today's announcement of a new research project, I am…
We have a long-established and important trading relationship with the United States. Despite the recent disruption and uncertainty that has been created by tariffs in particular, it remains one of our biggest trading partners, with an export market worth £1·4 billion. Many of our local businesses choose to establish…
I thank the Member for his question. Unfortunately, we have had a really uncertain landscape created over the past year. I was pleased to see the US Supreme Court's ruling that the tariffs that had been imposed on so-called Liberation Day were not lawfully enacted, but, while many Administrations and businesses…