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.
There are opportunities to be garnered from America250 and the clear linkages across this island with people who emigrated to make a better life in America and whose descendants have come back and want to find out about their history and heritage. I am happy to engage on whatever opportunities and initiatives there…
We have numerous existing tourism products that embrace the opportunities that America250 brings, and we recognise the links between America and those of Irish and Ulster-Scots heritage. Those, as well as their links to the story of America, are showcased on the America250 page on Tourism NI’s websites. Among the…
Since its launch in November 2023, Go Succeed has demonstrated a significant impact across the North, empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses with tailored support and expert guidance. It has helped thousands of individuals to turn ideas into viable enterprises, contributing to local economic growth and job…
I agree with the Member. It is absolutely regrettable and disgraceful that we are in this position again. When the European social fund (ESF) ended, there was a cliff edge, and we said that we did not want to see that again. I have consistently made that case, as has my colleague the Minister of Finance, to the…
Go Succeed is an important part of the business support landscape and provides essential advice and guidance to anyone looking to start or grow a business. It is a council-led service and is funded through the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF). It was expected that the successor of that funding would be transferred to the…
I thank the Member for his question. He is right: I published the rates review, and one of the things that I said at the time was that I would be inclined to look at non-domestic vacant property rate relief. That would be a useful vehicle to incentivise businesses back on to our high streets but only if it was done in…
I thank the Member for his question. The increased focus from Invest NI on indigenous businesses and the subregional economic plan is a good vehicle for trying to address some of the challenges that he has outlined. The LEPs represent an opportunity to ensure that there is more investment and job creation and that the…
The benefit of the LEPs, the positive about them — the beauty of them, so to speak — is that they are devolved to local areas to come up with what, they feel, are their economic priorities. If there is a particular initiative that they want to take in respect of town-centre regeneration, that is for them to include in…
There is a wide range of actions being brought forward by the partnerships that are intended to address identified local economic needs. Proposals include business support and mentoring, workspace development and tourism initiatives.
I thank the Member for his question. No, I do not think that it is a failure. It was necessary to give the partnerships time to establish themselves and come up with their priorities. We want the partnerships to be genuine. Therefore, they require different lengths of time. Some councils already have good…
With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer questions 1, 8 and 11 together. Local economic partnerships (LEPs) represent an entirely new approach in how the Department works with local government and other local stakeholders. It takes time to instil genuine partnership. The three-year programme allows for the…
Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I thank Members for their consideration of the Bill. Whilst the Bill does not make any changes to the scheme directly, it is an important step towards fulfilling the New Decade, New Approach commitment, which was endorsed by the current Executive, to close the…
I beg to move I apologise in advance: I might have a coughing fit in the middle of my speech, as I am getting over a bad dose. On 22 September 2025, I provided the House with an update on the work towards the closure of the non-domestic renewable heat incentive (RHI) scheme, in line with the New Decade, New Approach…
Legislative Consent Motion: Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill, as introduced in the House of Commons on 14 May 2025, dealing with the establishment of a revenue certainty mechanism that…
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I welcome the opportunity to speak about this important issue. The geographical imbalances in our economy have deep roots, as Members have said. Historical patterns of underinvestment tend to become self-reinforcing, as investment is drawn towards areas that are already…
I beg to introduce the RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill [NIA 22/22-27], which is a Bill to enable the Department for the Economy to make regulations to close the non-domestic RHI scheme.
Go raibh maith agat, a Phriomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I really welcome the opportunity to respond to the motion today, and I welcome any opportunity to speak about skills. I say this all the time because it is true: skills underpin and are critical to the delivery of all four of my economic objectives. Skills are a…
Thank you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. While the motion is critically framed, I welcome the opportunity to engage with it, and I agree with the broad thrust of many, although not all, of the comments that have been made on it in the Chamber today. I am keen to address the absence of an aviation policy to date, because,…
The final two do not really fall to me. The Finance Minister has responsibility for rates. I have responsibility for businesses, and I will certainly engage with the Member on any proposals that he brings forward. Obviously, I am aware of the programme of review, because I put it in place when I was Finance Minister.…
The Health Minister is sitting across the Chamber from me. He will confirm that we have engaged on the matter. My officials also have regular contact with the Department of Health on the review and on our proposals, as well as on the development of the joint bid to the transformation fund. In June, I announced my…
In June, following a comprehensive review, I outlined my proposals for a programme of reforms for school-leavers with special educational needs. Subject to appropriate investment, the changes will enhance the pathways and supports for school-leavers who want to access the Department's education, skills and training…
I thank the Member for her question. On Friday, we published the final scheme design for a renewable electricity price guarantee, which will be a significant lever for meeting the 80% target by 2030. It will encourage investment in renewables, which has very much dropped off since 2016, when the previous scheme ended.…
I thank the Member for her question. Renewable energy consumption statistics have shown a slight reduction over the past year. The fluctuations that we see in our renewable energy consumption are for a variety of reasons, including the current constraint in our system, and do not necessarily reflect a reduction in…