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.
Thank you. That is perfectly legitimate answer to you, if your party criticises others for, allegedly, not focusing on the big issues, yet, week in, week out, you come to the House and try to find political wedge issues to get a headline or a tweet with a social media post that shows only your question and never the…
In reality, as I said, we are focused on the issues that really matter to people. I find it frustrating that, when I stand here telling you about the huge amount of work that has to be done to reduce health waiting lists, support people to get the operations that they need, transform the health service, fix the…
In our Programme for Government, we focused on nine key priorities. For me, that is about driving forward the big issues that really impact on people's lives: tackling health waiting lists, improving our education system, mending holes in school roofs and trying to ensure that there is economic growth right across…
The Executive have made a strong start and continue to work together to progress the key priorities outlined in the Programme for Government. For example, we secured an additional £1·3 billion in funding to support vital public services. Working parents have already saved around £8 million since the launch of the…
I thank the Member for his question. Of course, if we are to grow the Northern Ireland economy, it is important that all parts of our economy can grow and are given the support and tools to do so. Along with the First Minister, I attended the opening of the digihub in Omagh. It was fantastic to see so many people…
Absolutely. The people who will take up these jobs will be from all parts of Northern Ireland and from all political views in Northern Ireland, and they all have a right to access good jobs. I really welcome the announcement. It is a confident show of the potential in our economy in Northern Ireland, and that is in…
I thank the Member for his important question. There is no doubt that, if we want Northern Ireland to thrive, we must grow our economy. Growing our economy has two distinct aspects. One is about supporting our local and indigenous businesses, and we must do that. I know that it has been a very challenging business…
I was delighted to recently meet representatives of the Bank of America, along with junior Minister Bunting, to hear first-hand about its exciting plans to establish an office in Belfast. Those plans will create up to 1,000 new jobs, which is hugely significant, sends a powerful signal about the strength of our…
Absolutely. When we look back to the origin of that requirement, we find that it arose from the further negotiations in St Andrews. It is now part of the infrastructure and the processes around the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, as amended by the St Andrews Agreement. It is there to stop Ministers having solo runs on…
The matter was under consideration, as the Member may be aware, but it was not laid in time while these institutions were in operation. However, the courts have made it clear that the ministerial code is guidance. What matters is the primary legislation. The primary legislation endures, which means that the test…
I thank the Member for his important question. It is absolutely clear to most people who look at the issue that the way in which the Irish language is displayed in public places, and this proposal in particular, is controversial. It has caused controversy. There are a number of strong views across the piece on the…
Under section 20 of the Northern Ireland Act, matters that are considered to be cross-cutting, significant or controversial should be referred to the Executive for discussion and agreement. Under the ministerial code, Ministers have a duty to refer to the Executive matters that are considered to be cross-cutting,…
With your permission, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, I will ask junior Minister Bunting to answer the question as the very first in her new role as a junior Minister.
Important issues are at play. At this stage, we have paid out just over £108 million in compensation to well over 5,000 applications received. The scheme is now closed, and only a small number of those applications are left. Those are being assessed, and it is anticipated that the panel will finish that work by…
I thank the Member for her question. I record my huge thanks to Pam for her work as a junior Minister. She was involved in a significant number of meetings and engagements and on the detail of these matters. You were key in pushing the process forward and getting it to where it is, and I thank you for that work. You…
Thank you. Yes. I am pleased to say that we are making positive progress on that important issue. We are trying to maximise consensus among victims and survivors. We acknowledge that victims and survivors do not speak with one voice; that is completely understandable. However, we want to move forward with the maximum…
I thank the Member for her question. It is incredibly important that we learn everything that we can from this process and roll that forward. There have been some significant successes in the process across many areas. I would have liked the institutions to have stepped up to make contributions earlier, but we are…
Victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse (HIA) have endured unimaginable pain and suffering over many years. We are committed to ensuring that they get the redress that they deserve. Payments have been received from the Good Shepherd Sisters, Barnardo’s, the De La Salle order and the Diocese of Down and…
The Executive Committee’s Legislation Programme 2025-2026 That this Assembly notes the Executive Committee’s Legislation Programme for the 2025-26 session of the Assembly, published in the written ministerial statement on 3 October 2025
I thank the Member again for her supplementary question. This is a matter of common sense. Women need safe spaces, women deserve safe spaces, and many women are demanding safe spaces because that is what the law is there for and is designed to do. The Equality Commission had an opportunity to clarify and to give that…
I thank the Member for her important and very relevant question. At the heart of all this must be a fundamental principle, which is that there should be safe spaces for biological females. That was at the heart of the court case. The court ruled that gender is based on biological sex. I was very disappointed in the…
FlaggedGender, sexuality, abortion and related social issuesCriteria met: Identity framing, Dog-whistle messaging.
It is important to point out that, across Northern Ireland every year, there are hundreds and hundreds of bonfires, the vast majority of which are displayed in an absolutely peaceful way as part of community celebration. Northern Ireland is not unique in that; the culture of bonfire building as a form of commemoration…
I thank the Member for his question. Sadly, throughout the year, we have seen demonstrations that have aspects that are hateful, unkind, unpalatable and entirely unacceptable. That happens throughout Northern Ireland in many different areas. First of all, we should recognise that it involves a minority of people. When…
Absolutely, the Member is correct. The approach to legacy must always have justice at its heart. Of course, the process has, at best, been opaque. The Secretary of State will deign to tell us what he has decided to do after his extensive consultations with the Irish Government. That is an appalling way to approach the…
I thank the Member for her important question. It is worth reiterating, time and time again, that terrorism was always wrong, that violence was always wrong, that there was never any justification for it and that there was always an alternative. I sit down and talk to victims' families, many of whom are still grieving…