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.
The Member is well aware that I am across my brief. I do not have differences with Invest NI, so I am not sure what he is talking about in that regard. What the Utility Regulator is doing for Kilroot is part of its job. I assure you that energy branch in my Department is fully engaged in ensuring that our consumers…
The Utility Regulator (UR) announced on 30 October 2025 that it has launched a formal investigation into the matter. The investigation is being carried out in accordance with the UR's enforcement procedure. The details of the investigation are confidential while it is ongoing in order to allow for due process.
I thank the Member for his question. I am sure that he will be aware of the subregional economic plan that was published last year, which put a new focus on regional development, including by Invest NI. It included a target for investment outside of the Belfast metropolitan area of 65% over the three-year business…
The Member will be well aware of my position on the funding of the British Government's militarisation agenda in favour of public services, infrastructure and things that would be beneficial to the population. The Member will also be well aware that advanced manufacturing and engineering is one of the priority sectors…
The independent review of Invest NI made clear that there was a need for a refreshed and dynamic leadership team to drive that organisation forward. I am pleased to report that decisive steps have been taken to implement that recommendation with the appointment of Anne Beggs as chief commercial officer, Kathryn Hill…
The independent review of Invest NI, commissioned to assess the organisation's efficiency and effectiveness, identified significant challenges and called for profound transformation. In response, my Department, working closely with Invest NI and key stakeholders, published a comprehensive action plan comprising 35…
I do not agree with the Member that that is the case. In fact, I do not believe that my announcements breach the Windsor framework agreement in any way.
I completely agree with what the Member has set out. What is controversial is the Education Minister's trip and his cheerleading for a state that has perpetrated the slaughter of tens of thousands of innocent civilians, has created more child amputees per capita in Gaza than in any other place in the world, is…
As part of the measures that I announced on 16 October, my officials are developing an ethical investment framework. The initial scoping for the framework will be based on the UN's 'Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights', which are the three principles of protect, respect and remedy. It will also be informed…
As I clearly outlined in my opening answer, I did not decide that. It was set out by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Including East Jerusalem, which found that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, and by the International Court of…
I note the Member's attempt to deflect from his party's position on the genocide that is being committed by Israel in Gaza. There are issues in relation to China's human rights: I have highlighted and will continue to highlight those concerns. I also emphasise that one of the measures that is being taken as part of my…
With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer questions 2 and 5 together. My written ministerial statement of 16 October concerns matters that are within the statutory responsibility of my Department. The measures that are outlined in that statement are driven by the clear moral case for action. Insofar as my…
I completely agree with the Member. We are blessed with significant and important tourism areas and landscapes and a number of hugely important visitor attractions. Our council does a very good job of promoting our tourism offering. As recently as today, we have seen the success of the Open, which was hosted in the…
I thank the Member for his question, and I completely agree with him. Work is ongoing with Tourism NI, Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to bridge those visitor experiences across the island. For example, the Causeway coastal route and the Wild Atlantic Way have a Shared Island project fund of some £7·6 million to do…
I thank the Member for his question. Some of our council areas, including mine and the Member's, have a particularly strong focus on tourism and will have strong tourism development departments. Working alongside Tourism NI, there is an opportunity for them to share best practice. Through the tourism vision and action…
Regional balance is a key priority of my tourism vision and action plan, and rural tourism presents a valuable opportunity to support regional balance and promote the sustainable development of our rural communities. We know that visitors, particularly those from international markets, come to experience our amazing…
I thank Members for their contributions to today's debate and the interest that they have shown in this important issue. I thank again the Economy Committee and its Chair for their support and engagement. I will pick up briefly on a couple of the points that Members made. I agree that we have a real opportunity here…
I beg to move Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Decarbonisation is one of my four key objectives. Reaching net zero requires action across every sector of our economy, including the aviation sector. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is designed to reduce the environmental impact of air travel. It is produced…
Exclusion of Minister from Office under Section 30 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 That this Assembly, under section 30(1)(b) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, resolves that, further to his recent visit to Israel, the Minister of Education no longer enjoys the confidence of the Assembly, because of his failure to…
I thank the Member for her question. I responded to Sinéad in a similar vein. As I mentioned, there are many opportunities for skills development through the all-island skills task force, which will oversee the delivery of PEACE PLUS cross-border skills provision and the PEACE PLUS youth programme and will enhance and…
My Department will regularly review skills provisions to meet the evolving needs of the economy, which are aligned with departmental strategies and the economic vision. That includes the Irish-medium accreditation and learner support systems. In the near future, we will commission research to identify barriers and…
I thank the Member. One of the important things about the pilot is that it has a cross-departmental approach. A number of Departments, as well as Belfast City Council, have invested in the pilot, so there is an opportunity to look at how we can jointly support its success. As I mentioned in my previous answer, we…
I thank the Member for her question. I agree: it is an important step forward in supporting our night-time economy. It is a pilot. We want to understand its impact and evaluate it at the end of the year in order to decide whether we should continue to take it forward and whether it can be applied elsewhere across the…