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 intent of the Bill is to give the Utility Regulator powers over decarbonisation as one of the considerations in respect of investment. The Bill will therefore be really important in supporting us to meet our targets for renewable electricity and our climate obligations. As I said in my answer, along with that…
I assume that the Member is referring to the Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill. The draft Bill, which was developed in conjunction with the regulator, has been subject to a public consultation, the results of which have been shared with the Committee for the Economy and published on my…
Local economic partnerships are part of the drive towards regional balance. Alongside that, we have three other priorities in the Department: the creation of good jobs; improving productivity; and decarbonisation. We have identified seven priority sectors, which the Member referred to as "high-growth, high-potential…
Fundamentally, they are partnerships between the Department for the Economy and a range of stakeholders, and my officials have had back-and-forth with councils and other partners on issues and how best those can be resolved. My Department has provided formal and informal guidance on a range of issues, including the…
I do not agree with the Member's characterisation. The establishment of the local economic partnerships is a new approach that brings together my Department, Invest NI, councils and other key economic stakeholders in local areas. While there has been some slippage due to factors such as my Department working through…
Local economic partnerships are a critical part of my regional balance agenda, and I am pleased to see the progress made in setting up partnerships across the North. The majority, including Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, which met just yesterday, have met on several occasions already and begun the important…
I thank the Member for her question. My officials are considering that recently published report by Irelandia, an Irish aviation investment group. The report makes recommendations for various policy initiatives that, Irelandia contends, will strengthen the Irish aviation industry. In the first instance, I want to…
I thank the Member for his question. As he outlined, we have committed to the investment in the City of Derry Airport over the next four years. That enables the airport to plan for growth in future years. We will work with partners locally in the north-west and further afield to support the economic development of the…
By connecting people, supporting our tourism offering and delivering economic growth, improving air connectivity to the North from within these islands and further afield has an important role to play in the delivery of my economic priorities. That is why I am investing £3 million per year in the City of Derry…
I am sure that the Member will recognise the years of uncertainty that were caused by post-Brexit negotiations and his party's position on that. I have outlined the real-world, tangible impact of dual market access, which can clearly be seen in our export performance. We see huge interest in dual market access. It is…
As I said, I welcome the progress that has been made. I also welcome the fact that the British Government and the EU have recognised and are committed to maintaining our privileged, dual market access. We can see that privileged position in our recent export performance. In the year ending 2024, total exports of goods…
I agree with the Member that dual market access offers us huge potential and opportunities. There is more work to be done to communicate that to our own businesses here that are already in the position to take advantage of that and also to attract investment to create new jobs and grow our local economy. My Department…
Clearly, Brexit damaged trading relationships between this island and Britain and beyond. It was a key reason why my party and others opposed Brexit. Unfortunately, we are where we are and have to deal with the consequences. We have the protocol and, now, the Windsor framework, which recognises our unique…
Anything with the potential to undo the harms of Brexit, smooth trade flows and reduce regulatory divergence is to be welcomed. On 19 May, broad heads of agreement were announced between the British Government and the EU. We have a significant agri-food sector, so I welcome the commitment to negotiate a sanitary and…
Tourism Ireland, as an organisation with the responsibility for marketing Ireland overseas, has a compelling holiday and business events programme. Tourism Ireland undertakes a range of activities that have a hugely positive impact on my Department's tourism policies, from the large number of marketing campaigns and…
There is certainly a key role for tourism in supporting the regeneration of our villages, towns and cities. I recently established local economic partnerships across all our council areas so that local areas can develop their economic plans and visions for themselves. Tourism NI and other partners can be involved in…
Tourism is a vital contributor to my economic vision and is key to creating prosperity across the North, enriching our communities and bringing social benefits to our towns and cities. It also creates opportunities in rural areas and is a source of pride for local people. My Department launched a tourism vision and…
Yes. I can assure the Member that there certainly is a plan. As he will know from his role on the Committee, and as I said to Mr Brett, policy development work is going on across a range of areas. That is really important to ensure that we have a fit-for-purpose energy system. The specifics of the renewable…
I thank the Member for her question. I fully support the principle of community benefit and encourage all developers, whether participating in the renewable electricity price guarantee scheme, when it is launched, or pursuing alternative routes to market, to adopt best practice and ensure a return for local…
I thank the Member for his supplementary question. I disagree with his characterisation of our development of policy in the energy division. He will know, from his role in Committee, that an awful lot is going on at the moment in that division, in parallel, across a number of policy areas. He will understand that the…
The development of a support scheme for renewable electricity generation is an action in the Executive's energy strategy. In 2023, my Department published a consultation on design considerations for the scheme. In the same year, Aurora Energy Research was contracted to provide the technical expertise needed to…
Legislative Consent Motion: Product Regulation and Metrology Bill That this Assembly notes the passage of the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill introduced in the House of Lords on 4 September 2024; further notes and supports all relevant provisions of the Bill so far as these matters fall within the legislative…
Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Member for securing this Adjournment debate and welcome the opportunity for this discussion. I very much recognise the frustration of poor coverage. Like Deborah, I live in a rural area where coverage is very patchy indeed. I also recognise the reliance…
My officials have been working closely with Mid Ulster District Council, Invest NI and the Policing Board on the sale of the Desertcreat site to the council, with a June 2025 target date. Successfully developing the Desertcreat site will be a significant opportunity for the region. Invest NI has therefore commenced…
The Mid South West growth deal, as the Member will be well aware, is a key driver of subregional economic growth for that region. It presents significant opportunities to scale investment in key areas in the region, which has particular strengths, including substantial investment in a whole programme of…