All of Mr Colin McGrath’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
I thank the Minister for his response and share in his disgust at what happened last week, especially to our healthcare staff. We saw the rioting, the racist violence and the mass disruption, and that prevented many healthcare staff from being able to get to work, which was sad to hear. We also heard that masked men…
Healthcare Staff: Security Measures To ask the Minister of Health, in light of recent racially motivated violence, to outline any additional security measures that will be put in place to safeguard healthcare staff attempting to gain access to hospitals.
Extension of Sitting on Monday 15 June 2026 under Standing Order 10(3A) That in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 15 June 2026 be extended to no later than 10.30pm.
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the number of appointments that were cancelled at the Belfast Cancer Centre, between 9 June and 12 June 2026 due to (i) staff being (a) unable; or (b) unwilling, to travel to work safely; and (ii) patients being (a) unable; or (b) unwilling, to travel for their appointment.
To ask the Minister of Health whether any chemotherapy treatment packs prepared for patients were destroyed following cancellations to appointments at the Belfast Cancer Centre, between 9 June and 12 June 2026.
To ask the Minister of Finance whether his Department has made any assessment of the possibility of full rates exemption for post offices, given their unique economic and social contribution.
To ask the Minister of Finance to detail any steps his Department is taking to ensure that post offices in Northern Ireland are not disadvantaged compared to those in other UK regions, due to differences in rates relief systems.
To ask the Minister of Finance whether he will consider (i) expanding; and (ii) enhancing, Small Business Rates Relief for post offices, given their essential role in local communities.
To ask the Minister of Finance whether any assessment has been made of the impact of current business rates on the sustainability of post offices, particularly smaller and rural branches.
To ask the Minister of Health whether he will commission a review of the legal status of long term foster carers following the death of a child for whom they held parental responsibility under a residence order.
To ask the Minister of Health whether he will review the operation of residence orders and associated parental responsibility provisions where a child who has spent the majority of their life in foster care dies and disputes arise regarding funeral arrangements.
To ask the Minister of Health whether any assessment has been made of whether current fostering and child care legislation adequately recognises the role of long term foster carers following the death of a child in their care.
I welcome the updates and improvements that the Minister has set out in her response. She mentioned the issues with the Criminal Bar Association. Can she give us an update on how negotiations are going in that process? A swift conclusion to that issue would unlock much of the delay that we are currently experiencing.
This group of amendments is about ensuring that policing and police oversight arrangements here remain effective, accountable and fit for purpose. That is important, because public confidence in policing is one of the foundations on which our justice system must rest. That confidence is built not only on the ability…
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, pursuant to AQW 47016/22-27, to detail any meetings which have been held between his Department and the (i) NI Environment Agency; and (ii) Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, in each of the last five years, in relation to Waste Industry Safety…
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, pursuant to AQW 46789/22-27, to detail (i) each of the stakeholders he has engaged with; and (ii) any actions that will be carried out in advance of the summer.
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, pursuant to AQW 47016/22-27, to detail the rationale as to why waste operators are not required to comply with Waste Industry Safety and Health Guidance.
To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 46791/22-27, to detail any suggestions put forward by the James Hutton Institute research project.
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any assessment that the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland has made of the benefits of waste operators adopting the Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum Guidance, WASTE 28, to help prevent fires at sites.
I commend the Chair of the Committee for not being one bit obnoxious in his speech. That was quite an achievement. I hope to, likewise, not be obnoxious, but I will do so in a much shorter time than the hour and 10 minutes that we have just been subjected to. Later contributions may be a little bit shorter to help us…