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.
I agree that there are opportunities for hydrogen to benefit the whole of the North. Indeed, we are working across both islands in that respect, because there are policy developments in both the South and Britain. We are keen to learn from best practice and seek to develop our policy in a way that is complementary to…
My departmental officials continue to work on developing the hydrogen policy consultation paper. We have established a hydrogen industry working group that consists of representatives from industry, academia and representative groups to inform that work, with a view to publishing the consultation paper in quarter 2 of…
I thank the Member for his question. We had a good discussion in last week's debate on the hydrogen motion. As I outlined in my answer to the original question, there is collaboration between the Department, Invest NI and the local universities, alongside Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. We are keen to support…
I recognise the importance of hydrogen and the contribution that it will make to decarbonisation. HyTech NI has a £15 million investment from the Executive's complementary fund and is jointly sponsored by Queen's University Belfast and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, which are partnering with Ulster University…
Since I have come into post, I have had the opportunity to meet the Minister in the South. There is a North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meeting scheduled for 16 April, so we will have further opportunities to discuss it. I have also had the opportunity to work alongside Tourism Ireland. I accompanied its…
The €7 million project, funded by the Shared Island Fund, is progressing well. Its aim is to connect the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway coastal route so as to present a seamless touring route for the tourist. The intention is to give greater visibility to tourism experiences beyond the traditional hotspots, and…
As the Member will be aware, we recently published the subregional economic plan, which is our approach to promoting regional balance. Just yesterday, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council had the first meeting of its local economic partnership. That enables the local council, along with partners, to develop plans…
Tourism has a key role to play in contributing to my objectives of regional balance and decarbonisation. I welcome the recent news that Roe Valley Resort will benefit from substantial investment by its new owners, the Galgorm Collection. Both Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland promote all regions of the North through…
Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I welcome the motion. I thank the signatories to it for tabling it and for the opportunity to discuss the development of green hydrogen. The North is well placed to be a leader in that space. We have world-class renewable energy resources, a strong and innovative…
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I too welcome the opportunity to speak about this important issue. It is clear that we need to accelerate progress if we are to meet our climate targets and ensure energy security for the future, so I am pleased that the Assembly has committed to supporting industry to…
I thank the Member for his follow-up question. We need to build on our previous success in renewables development, and the Executive need to take a collaborative, whole-system approach in order to facilitate the delivery of the 80% by 2030 target. While my Department has legislated responsibility for the target,…
I thank the Member for his question. My Department, in collaboration with other Departments and key stakeholders, has developed the offshore renewable energy action plan to enable offshore renewable energy development in the North's marine area from 2030. DFE recently appointed RPS Ireland to undertake an update to…
The Member may not have been in his place when I responded to a question from Mr Aiken on the North/South interconnector. I assume that he is referring to the delay that was announced in the South recently. SONI advised the Department of a delay in the construction following the assessment of the remaining programme…
I thank the Member for the follow-up question. I had the opportunity to meet Tourism NI last week. It was an introductory meeting, but that issue was actually mentioned in passing. I am happy to look at it in more detail. It is important that we look to where there are good examples of things that work and that we are…
I thank the Member for his question. That issue was raised with the Communities Minister at a recent meeting in Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. When the Minister brought forward the housing supply strategy before Christmas, he asked officials across Departments to work on particular issues, with that being…
I thank the Member for her follow-up question. Creatives have engaged with me on that. There is significant concern about the potential implications. I am happy to engage with the sector to try to understand those challenges and to see if we are able to bring any influence. It goes back to the point that, while there…
I thank the Member for her question. AI has an interface with many sectors, and it poses some challenges for the creative sector. Some legislation is coming forward in Britain that is concerning to that sector. I have not yet had the opportunity to engage with the creative sector about that, but I am more than happy…
As I outlined to the Member, the delivery of the North/South interconnector is important for our energy, particularly the flow of electricity across the island. I will get further briefings from officials on the issues that have been raised.
I thank the Member for his question. As he will know, my Department is working with the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) and NIE Networks on the delivery of the North/South interconnector north of the border. That will be a really important project when it comes to increasing the electricity flow between…
I thank the Member for his supplementary question. Advice NI began its work, supported by my Department, as the new accreditation partner here for the Living Wage Foundation in June 2024. My Department provides funding of £125,000 per annum to Advice NI. Advice NI has confirmed that the number of accreditations for…
I thank the Member for his question. My Department's consultation on the 'good jobs' employment rights Bill prompted a range of stakeholders to present a significant number of complex and considered responses that have been very useful and that continue to be carefully considered by my Department. That analysis work…
I thank the Member for her question. Clearly, the Department recognises the challenges that exist in delivering on its energy targets, and we have taken significant action already. The Member will be aware of the energy strategy that was published in the previous mandate and of the action plans that have been…
I do not agree with the Member's assessment. Energy is clearly a priority for my Department and for me as Minister. One of the four key objectives of my economic mission is decarbonisation. Therefore, we are putting a significant focus on it from a departmental perspective by ensuring that there is budgetary cover and…
I thank the Member for her question. I know that it is an issue that she is passionate about. I share that passion. As an Executive, we have a focus on regional balance. That has come through in key decisions that have been taken across a number of Departments. The work that has been taken forward under the city and…