All of Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
The Member is absolutely right: we know that suicide is devastating for the family and friends but also for the community. We often see a number of suicides in a particular area, and that can compound the impact. We can do more work collaboratively. There are factors that are indicators of suicide. Those who live in…
Absolutely. It is important and timely work. While the group meets only annually at the moment as a checkpoint to get an update on what is happening, there is huge collaboration between departmental officials to drive forward the key objectives and actions in those strategies. We can always do more. One of the big…
I thank the Member for raising that important issue. We completely understand the devastating effect that a suicide can have on a family, on friends and on a community. It is important to say that the Executive have already agreed a number of strategies. The policy direction is there, but there are significant funding…
The Executive working group on mental well-being, resilience and suicide prevention is chaired by the Minister of Health, who sets the agenda and organises the meetings. In the past two years, there was a meeting on 3 April 2025, and a further meeting is scheduled for 12 March 2026. We welcome the opportunity for the…
As the Member will be aware, a number of places are looking at the issue. I was disappointed to hear that Northern Ireland would not be included in the Westminster legislation on monitoring AI's generation of particular images. We have just heard from the Minister of Justice about introducing our own legislation. I…
We have seen many abuses of some technological advancements. Some aspects are positive, but the technology brings with it a darker side, and we need to be careful about all that. It is also important that the framework ensure consistency in how and when we use AI. We should not be afraid of AI and digital…
There is huge potential for AI and digital to drive transformation. In the Department of Heath, for example, we have had the roll-out of Encompass. Northern Ireland is unique in integrating social care and health, and that system, using digital technology, should be able to give us useful data for planning, for…
The establishment of the Office of AI and Digital was a key commitment in our Programme for Government, providing strategic leadership and coordination on the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence across the Northern Ireland Civil Service. AI and advanced digital technologies have the potential to improve…
I thank the Member for his important question. He raises a really important issue. The Executive's prioritisation took place through our Programme for Government, which we published last year. It is important that we look at what we are doing in each and every Department, with the support of the Finance Department, to…
I thank the Member for his question. Unfortunately, in this place, we see it too often: people focusing on whether or not something is moving instead of focusing on what it is actually about. This Budget must be the right Budget. It must be a Budget that, for example, supplies the Department of Education with enough…
I thank the Member for her very important question. This is not just about going to His Majesty's Treasury and asking for more money. It must be about a combined approach that looks not just at sustainable funding. I do believe that Northern Ireland has been underfunded. That has been the analysis of the Department of…
I thank the Member for her supplementary question. I want to see a three-year Budget. That would give the most certainty possible to each of the Departments. That is the challenge and task of the Executive: to get around the table and try to find consensus. It is the primary responsibility of the Finance Minister to…
We operate within a constrained financial environment, shaped by inflation, growing demand on public services and a sustained period of underfunding of our services. We welcome the £372·3 million of additional Barnett consequentials announced in the autumn Budget. While that may sound like a substantial allocation,…
On a point of order, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. The previous Member who spoke disgracefully and erroneously insinuated that the A5 has been prevented from progressing due to a DUP veto in the Executive. It is a matter of fact that the Executive agreed to progress the A5 and that it is indeed the courts that have…
Figuratively. As many people will know, I have a big angry head on at times, because I want to push forward on delivery as well. However, the Member touches on an incredibly important point. The leader of the Opposition probably has more angry exchanges with Members in the Chamber in one day than the Executive have…
We thank Members for their contributions, and we welcome the opportunity to debate Executive progress. The people whom we serve expect and demand delivery; it is what we are here to do. Almost two years ago, when the institutions were restored, we came together as an Executive and committed ourselves to working…
Maybe the Member will clarify how the SDLP voted on draft Budgets and Budgets when it was in government. I do not believe that it supported a single one.
It is clear that the Member did not bother to listen to some of the questions that I have already responded to. The Member will be aware that the statement highlights the broad issues. I am here to answer questions about the detail of that. I have mentioned those issues on a number of occasions in the Chamber, but he…
I thank the Member for her question. It is a very relevant question and is probably one that is more for the Executive and Departments here to look at. She is absolutely right; we are sitting on an estate with some historic properties that are perhaps underutilised. We should try, right across Northern Ireland, to be…
I thank the Member for his question and, indeed, for highlighting the origin of that funding. When I look back at the 2017-19 Parliament, I recall many challenges and memories, both good and bad, but I am deeply proud that the DUP negotiated hard through the confidence-and-supply deal to secure the city and growth…
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I wish to make a statement on the forty-fourth summit of the British-Irish Council, which the First Minister and I attended on 4 and 5 December 2025. The summit was hosted by the Welsh Government in the Vale Resort, South Glamorgan. Heads of delegation were welcomed by the First Minister, Eluned…
Unfortunately, there is not, nor has there been, political agreement in the Executive Office, because Sinn Féin takes a particular approach to the issue. I appeal to the Sinn Féin Ministers in the Executive to overcome their prejudice against our armed forces community and to recognise that it has objective needs. We…
I thank the Member for his important question, which, as he will know, is about something that is close to my heart. Our veterans have not been treated and respected as they ought to have been. The needs of Northern Ireland veterans are just as important as those of veterans in any other part of the United Kingdom, if…