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Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly: Assembly records
All of Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not qualifying, uncertain or not yet analysed.
Thank you. It is really important that we recognise that this is a scheme that takes time. It was designed, in part, like that, because we did not want victims and survivors to have to gather all of the evidence themselves prior to their putting in an application. The way in which the system is set up means that the…
I thank the Member for her question, which is an important one. The scheme has attracted significantly more applicants than the number that was first envisaged back at the beginning of the scheme, when it was suggested that around 500 severely physically injured victims and survivors would come forward. We now have…
I thank the Member for his question. As I said earlier, leadership is exceptionally important. It is really important that we make clear that the acts of violence and terrorism of the past were absolutely wrong and that no person deserved to be injured or killed during the Troubles. There was always an alternative to…
I thank the Member for raising that important case. I have no doubt that many Members across the Chamber listen to many of the people — victims and survivors — who are going through that process. Putting the scheme in place was the right thing to do. The sheer number of applications to the scheme — over 16,000 —…
Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will answer questions 2 and 5 together. Since opening in August 2021, the scheme has received 16,323 applications and paid over £162 million, providing important recognition of the harm suffered. Although the scheme has closed to new applications, the president can consider late…
I thank the Member for his important question. It is important to have leadership in that area. I have absolutely no truck with paramilitarism: there was never any role for it in Northern Ireland, and there certainly is not a role for it today. That leadership should send a clear message that paramilitarism was…
It is absolutely clear that what we have seen over the past week has appalled many people across Northern Ireland. They have seen a party that demands equality and then claims an exemption for itself. That does not work. The idea that it is somehow above the law while everybody else has to be subject to the law does…
Thank you, Mr Speaker. Deirdre Hargey has attempted to make a blatant political point. She has done so in such a brazen way, given the hypocrisy of not only herself but her party leader in Northern Ireland and her overall party leader in standing with dissidents such as Colin Duffy and standing on a stage with a man…
What beggars belief is the brass neck of Sinn Féin. Just last week, you stood on the road, shoulder to shoulder with dissidents, Provos and those with appalling convictions. Indeed, just this weekend, we had the First Minister standing cuddling a terrorist — Breandán Mac Cionnaith — who was jailed for blowing up…
The Executive programme on paramilitarism and organised crime was extended until March 2027, on the condition that it was reviewed. The process is being finalised, and it will be for the Executive to consider the findings and take decisions on the next steps. The Executive Office has responsibility for the Communities…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. We have had remarks from Members on the Benches opposite about those on these Benches inflaming the situation. Let me make it clear: I am in the House this afternoon as deputy First Minister. I have turned up to do my job. The First Minister was on the Garvaghy Road at the weekend,…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. It is important for me, as deputy First Minister, to clarify that I have made it clear to the First Minister that she should make herself available. I welcome the fact that she is now indicating that she will make herself available to the House. It is important that the roles that we…
I thank the Minister for giving way. As he knows, there is significant concern and apprehension about the Bill and understandably so. I find it to be one of the most extraordinarily dangerously drafted pieces of legislation, given what it could do. It is incredibly important that there be certainty. The Minister has…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. It is absolutely outrageous for the Member, who is not part of the Executive Office, to come to the House —. I do not know where you are getting your information or misinformation from. Let me make it absolutely clear that the deputy First Minister's office chased the First Minister's…
— to answer the question for urgent oral answer. I want to put on record that I am absolutely clear that the First Minister should come to the House. She should not be running from scrutiny or legitimate questions that need to be asked about her behaviour and lawbreaking. Unfortunately, because of such late notice…
Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. In response to what the Member has said, just a few moments ago, I received an email from the First Minister's office outlining that she is refusing to come to the House —
This was a time for leadership. Holding the post of First Minister or any ministerial position brings with it clear responsibilities and obligations, not just to lead but, of course, to urge calm heads and call people off the streets, to uphold the law and to be responsible. That is not optional; it is baked into the…
QualifyingCriteria met: Sectarian or communal antagonism, Dog-whistle messaging.Sectarianism, hate crime and community relations
I thank the Member for giving way again. What he has set out about the actual real-life implications of the draft legislation is very important. As it stands, there is a Sinn Féin Minister for Infrastructure. As it stands, in the Bill from the Alliance Party, it is very clear that key decisions will then lie solely…
I thank the Member for the points that he is raising. Regardless of the substance of the legislation, it raises genuine and serious concerns about the lack of certainty in the legislation. In clause 4, it is very clear to me that key decisions on how it will operate rest solely with the individual Minister. Clause…
I thank the Member for giving way. I will build on his point about certain people having the ability to interpret the legislation and others not having that ability. Clause 4 covers the code of practice. There has been much talk in the Chamber about the guidance and various other regulations and regulatory-making…
We face many challenges across Northern Ireland, not least in relation to our education sector, driving down health waiting lists, growing our economy and supporting a better, brighter future for every person in Northern Ireland, yet, today, the nationalist leaders of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin are meeting in…