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.
I thank the Member for her question. That is under active consideration. Over the past number of months, we have been working with departmental officials and the SIB to finalise some elements of the strategy. Of course, much of the capital that we have available is already committed to existing projects. As I said in…
I thank the Member for his question. The most important thing in all of this is that the assessment is of whether a commission would make a positive difference. In that context, it is notable that the National Infrastructure Commission in England has been rolled into another organisation. The UK Government tried that…
A draft paper was produced by the interdepartmental working group in early 2022. It set out an initial assessment of options for consideration and was a precursor to more detailed analysis and the development of a business case. The working group was then stood down. TEO officials are reviewing that assessment…
I thank the Member for his important question. Of course, if government is making those types of interventions, we want to see progress in the areas that have been targeted. We do not want to have to keep returning to the same areas time and time again and putting even more investment in, if, indeed, there is no…
I thank the Member for his important question. First, it is about showing political leadership. It is also about standing, politically, shoulder to shoulder on these issues to make it very clear that, no matter what political party we are from and what position our party takes on the constitutional question or on the…
I thank the Member for his question. I have said this before in this place, and I will say it again: there was never any justification for paramilitary organisations or for the criminal behaviour and the thuggery that we saw in the past and, sadly, see too much of in the present. That criminality should stop. That…
I thank the Member for that important question. We measure that in a number of ways. I highlighted some of the sentiment surveys that we do with those who partake in the programmes initially and those who have completed particular projects. It is positive to see that participants in those programmes, particularly…
Communities in Transition is part of the Executive programme on paramilitarism and organised crime. Since 2019, the programme has delivered over £26 million of support across eight areas. Over the past year, many thousands of people have engaged with CIT programmes, including counselling, social action projects,…
I thank the Member for his important question. It is estimated that £1 million will be the initial cost. That is the basic cost of a very basic structure compared with some other commissioner offices. As indicated, a number of UK-wide bodies already work in the area, including the Climate Change Committee, from which…
I thank the Member for his important question. In light of the Chancellor's spending statement last week, everyone around the Chamber will be aware of the difficulties and financial challenges that we face due to the huge amount of work that we need to do to invest in our public services and the limited funds that we…
I thank the Member for her question. As the Member is likely to be aware, we need to take a number of key steps, particularly if the appointment process is carried out in line with the code of practice. The process has a formal nature, and we will follow all its steps. We will endeavour to get the advertisement out as…
As I said, we will make the appointment in line with the code of practice for ministerial public appointments. The code has not been formally added to the appointment process for the role, but, as the Member will know, we can, of course, make such an appointment in line with the code, which is our intention.
We have not yet agreed on a timescale for the appointment of the Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner. Members may be aware that the draft Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025, which will give us the power to appoint the Climate Commissioner, are scheduled for debate on Tuesday 8…
I pay tribute to an absolute hero, John "Paddy" Hemingway, who passed away yesterday. John Hemingway, who was known as "Paddy", was born on 17 July 1919 and died on 17 March 2025, aged 105. We often talk about heroes, but, my goodness, this man was a hero. He was the last survivor of those who were known as "The Few"…
Thank you. Yes, indeed, it is a really important issue. Some in the House have raised concern about the ambition in the document, but I can pull out a small number of key commitments that we have made: the expansion of affordable childcare; the investment of £135 million in tackling healthcare waiting lists above and…
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. My goodness, how does one follow that? However, I will try. We have heard a significant number of contributions from right across the Chamber. The First Minister and I welcome that. We welcome the interest in the Programme for Government and the range of issues raised, because, of course,…
I thank the Member for his question. As we have said clearly in this place before, we must all stand united against the scourge of paramilitarism. There was never any justification for terrorism or paramilitarism. There is no role for it today, in 2025, just as there was no role for it here at any time over the past…
I am pleased that the issue has been prioritised in the Programme for Government. We want to make it clear that it is a priority for us. Every single act of violence towards a woman or a girl, and every death of a woman or a girl as a result of that violence, is wrong and needs to stop. We want to do everything that…
I thank the Member for her question. As the First Minister and I have indicated since we took up our respective posts just over a year ago, it is an area of key importance for us. We want to deliver not just the strategy but the framework, because that is where the action is. I am really pleased that the change funds…
Absolutely. The Member will be aware that we have supported the call for evidence so that people can come forward and tell their personal story. It is an opportunity for people to tell of their lived experience. I have no doubt that it will be very difficult for some people to go through the process, but it is such an…
I thank the Member for his important question. He will be aware that work is ongoing in that area. I pay huge tribute to all those who have worked so hard to get it to this point. I know that, for some, it is a point of frustration, but, of course, there are many different elements that were recommended in the…
It is incredibly important not only that our public appointments are independent and based on merit but that there is a strong perception that they are; indeed, we have to have those discussions about whether the process for public appointments is fit for purpose. It takes a hugely long time for public appointments to…