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 PSNI has come out with a clear assessment that there is no evidence of loyalist paramilitary involvement. I have to say to the Member that it is not about standing here and waffling. Over the course of the past week, I was in touch with the Chief Constable every day. I spoke to local representatives on the ground.…
First and foremost, my thoughts and support are with those who have been impacted on by the recent disorder. The Executive unequivocally condemn the violence that has been witnessed, and I, again, call for calm across our communities. We assure you that ensuring the safety of and support for all those affected is of…
I am not sure what the Member means, because, of course, they go onto a list and are allocated a place. On the wider issue of immigration, I have visited many primary schools where there are children from all over the globe. Many of those children are from families contributing positively to Northern Ireland; of…
I advise the Member that, certainly from my viewpoint, it is basic and logical. The provision of public services has two aspects: supply and demand. We need to do much more to ensure that the supply of GPs, health services and houses can be increased to meet demand. However, increased demand inevitably means…
I thank the Member for his follow-up question. Look, I do not live in a world of wishes and lullabies; I live in reality, and that reality is that we need to get agreement on the future of the site. I believe that we have agreement on around 95% of the site for sport, community, nature and economic development. That…
I thank the Member for his question. I echo what I said on that occasion: I want to see the site moved forward. As I said, that can happen only in a space where we work with people with regard to the sensitivities — genuine sensitivities — and hurt about things that happened on that site. As I have indicated, I do not…
I thank the Member for her question. This is not about calling out just one side. I appeal to the Member to make sure that, in calling out such behaviour, she calls out all sides. There are activities by criminal organisations and by dissident republicans; there is glorification of the terrorism of the past; and there…
I thank the Member for her question. There is no space for sectarianism in our society. Whether it comes from thugs who threaten others, from people who attempt to intimidate or from bands, singers or whoever else who are trying to put across messages that are clearly deeply sectarian, it is wrong, and we need to call…
Absolutely. We hope not only that we will get additional funds but that the funding will cover a number of years. As part of that, I will make the case for additional funds for policing. Those are absolutely necessary. The PSNI needs to be given the funds that it requires to fulfil what it needs to do, which is to…
I thank the Member for his important question. Confidence in policing and justice is hugely important, but it is also important that policing and justice get the support that they need in order to do what they need to do. We have heard clearly from the Chief Constable the pressures that the PSNI is under. We need to…
I thank the Member for his question. People's cultural traditions and identities should be respected across the piece. The Member may not like that tradition, but he does not have to. He does, however, have to respect the fact that there is difference in identities and that people have pride in their long-running…
I thank the Member for his question. We believe in transition and in the ability of people to move on from where they once were, but that must mean that they move on. We will offer that support to those who have indicated a willingness to move on, but we must protect public funds in every way possible. We have…
I thank the Member for his follow-up question. I have said very clearly that an allocation was made, and, indeed, we stand by that allocation because there was a three-sport arrangement. It was allocated across those three sports fairly and equitably. Since that, for reasons outside of the control of the Executive or…
I thank the Member for his question. The Member will be more than aware that the promise was made but not fulfilled not because of a lack of political will but because of a lengthy process in planning, planning challenges and all types of logistical issues that were outside the control of the Northern Ireland…
We regularly meet the UK Government on a wide range of issues that matter to people here. Our priorities for engagement are focused on delivering for citizens at home, promoting Northern Ireland as a stable and successful region and ensuring that our international partners recognise our many strengths. Prior to the…
I thank the Member for his important question. As I set out, we need funding for roads, schools and hospitals. We need to invest in water and in sewerage and to support people with public services that they not only need but deserve. That is why there has been a series of engagements with the UK Government. The…
I thank the Member for his hugely important question. People throughout Northern Ireland see, every day, what each Department needs to do. They see potholes on roads, health waiting lists, an inability to access their GP when they need it, waiting lists for SEN, the need for affordable and flexible childcare and the…
We had a wide-ranging discussion with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at our meeting on 23 May. On the funding of public services, we discussed the forthcoming spending review, which is due to be announced this Wednesday, and we impressed on him the need for the Executive to be funded fairly, sustainably and at a…
Thank you. As I said, we have invested £37 million in the site. We have been up to visit a number of times since taking up office, and Ebrington Square has looked really well. We visited the hotel and looked around it. The new buildings in Ebrington Plaza are amazing — they are cutting-edge buildings that are…
Yes. It is absolutely fantastic that the Ebrington site will host the spectacular display that is the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships. It is estimated that around 10,000 people will attend. I appeal for people to attend if they are in the area, because it will be a really good day. I know that the folks in the…
I thank the Member for her question. You will be aware that the site was due to transfer a number of years ago. That did not happen for a range of understandable reasons; some of it was down to general delay. Talks are under way with the council. The council will want some support and guarantees about the site being…
Ebrington Plaza is leased to Heron Property Limited. In recent months, both Alchemy Technology Services and Ernst & Young have opened new offices at Ebrington Plaza, bringing a combined total of around 250 new jobs to the area. The First Minister and I were delighted to attend the official opening of both offices, and…
I thank the Member for his question. A significant amount of work has been undertaken. He will be aware that the public consultation came to a conclusion some time ago. We also, as indicated, put out a call for views using an online survey. I would have liked more engagement with that survey by people from ethnic…