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Dr Caoimhe Archibald: Assembly records
All of Dr Caoimhe Archibald’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not qualifying, uncertain or not yet analysed.
I thank all the Members who spoke in support of the regulations. I reiterate my thanks to the Committee for the Economy for its scrutiny of the legislation. I am happy to commend the regulations to the Assembly.
I beg to move Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I seek the Assembly's approval for the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. The rule was made on 19 March and came into operation on 20 March. It is before the Assembly today under the confirmatory…
The Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Employment and Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 That the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Employment and Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 be approved.
I can assure the Member that they are certainly not overlooked or forgotten by me, as someone who represents those areas. I do not accept the Member's assertion that the north-west means Derry and Strabane. It is much wider than Derry and Strabane. We should be looking at the significant potential of the whole economy…
I thank the Member for his question. The Member will be aware of the significant and positive work that is being undertaken through the Causeway Coast and Glens growth deal that will support the already fantastic capabilities at Ulster University's Coleraine campus. The Member will also, I hope, be aware of the 12%…
I thank the Member for her question. As I mentioned, the first stage of the review was the financial needs assessment, which was undertaken by Higher Futures. It was an independent analysis, and we will continue to work with independent experts as we take the review forward. It is important that we get buy-in from our…
I thank the Member for her question. Her question reflects the difficult position that we are in because the Executive have not yet been able to agree a Budget. I note the Fiscal Council's annual review that was published today, which supports the Executive's case that we are not funded in the same way as Scotland and…
I completely agree with the Member. I mentioned to Paula Bradshaw earlier that what we saw on our streets last week was absolutely disgraceful and has to be unequivocally condemned by everybody. It caused significant damage and disruption to public services, businesses and our local economy, and it came at a time when…
I thank the Member for her question. The NISRA tourism statistics for 2025 have only recently been published. They show that tourism is flourishing in the north-west, with overnight stays increasing in Derry City and Strabane District Council and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council areas. The latest figures…
I thank the Member for her question. On 26 March, the Executive agreed the renewable electricity price guarantee scheme policy intent and that work would progress on the primary Bill required to implement the scheme. Officials have now concluded the work with the Office of the Legislative Counsel (OLC). The draft…
I thank the Member for her question. I am pleased to say that we are making sustained and measurable progress in delivering against the energy strategy. There is a clear focus on removing barriers, enabling investment to come in and accelerating the transition to cleaner, more secure energy. My Department has been…
I thank the Member for her follow-up question. While there has been no legislation on regional balance from the Department for the Economy, it goes through everything that we do in the Department, as well as, now, all its arm's-length bodies. Invest NI has reflected it in its business plan. Of course, I will be happy…
I thank the Member for her question and congratulate her on the introduction of her Bill. I have not yet got the full read-out on the Bill and all its proposals; officials are working through that. The Member knows my views on the Bill and that I am open to legislation, if it is necessary and the proposals are…
In establishing the £45 million regional balance fund, I have empowered councils, working with businesses and community partners in local economic partnerships (LEPs) to identify their own priorities and bring forward locally led projects to increase productivity. Decisions on what to deliver and where to deliver it…
I thank the Member for his question. He will be aware of the Irelandia report on aviation on the island. I have discussed that with colleagues in the South. I have had ongoing engagements with my counterpart James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, on how we can…
As the Member will be aware, I previously announced that my Department had assumed responsibility for providing operating funding of up to £3 million per annum for City of Derry Airport until 31 March 2029. That demonstrated my commitment to the long-term future of the airport and to protecting an important element of…
I thank the Member for that question. I have ongoing engagement with Tourism NI and Derry City and Strabane District Council. I am delighted that we are able to support those events in the north-west, given the significant value that they will add to the local economy. I am particularly excited about the 40th…
I have ongoing engagement with the Minister for Infrastructure on issues relating to the north-west. I am aware that DFI is considering the strategic vision of the all-island strategic rail review and that its focus is currently on prioritisation and appraisal, with no decisions yet having been taken on the…
I thank the Member for her question. I have repeatedly stated my preference for the Bill to be with the Committee for the summer recess to allow the longest possible time for scrutiny. Members have talked about how the Bill needs scrutiny and said that people need to have their say on it. I fully support that, which…
I completely reject the Member's assertions. We have developed a Bill that is balanced in its aims and objectives. It will provide workers with additional rights and the ability to exercise them. Your party is blocking the Bill in the Executive. It has not allowed it on the Executive agenda for decision; therefore, it…
I completely agree that trade unions play a positive role in helping workers understand and exercise their rights. Where trade unions are present, they provide workers with access to information, advice and representation, which can make it easier to raise concerns and to seek improvements in the workplace. Trade…
I am profoundly disappointed that I have been prevented from bringing the Bill to the Assembly at this time and that MLAs have not yet had the fullest opportunity to consider it in detail. It is my view that workers and their families are being let down by the delay. The Bill has been designed to support good jobs and…
I will take no lectures from any Member whose party continues to share platforms with those who speak on behalf of active paramilitaries. As I have said, the application process set out clearly the skill set required, and the people deemed appointable to the board of Invest NI passed that process; otherwise, their…