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 will be aware that an external review of the SIB was carried out. The report was critical, in that its key reflection was that the SIB had perhaps lost sight of the strategic aspect of what it does. Many people contracted by the SIB are doing really valuable work in Departments. Some of the work identified…
I thank the Member for his supplementary. The reality is that no new body will be the silver bullet for the challenge that we face. We need accountability from Ministers for the capital projects in their portfolio. I see an increasing instinct from parties around the Chamber — they see it as the simple solution — to…
We are determined to improve the process to ensure that more of our capital projects are delivered on time and on budget. Two work streams currently under way will help to shape decision-making on the best way forward. First, TEO and Strategic Investment Board (SIB) officials are taking forward work to address the…
As the Member will be aware, all Departments face significant financial challenges in this financial year. Of course, the ambition of every Minister in the Executive goes well beyond the budget available, but we want to protect the work that really works, such as the projects that have evaluations showing a really…
When we publish a strategy, have a delivery plan for it and fund projects either directly through our signature projects or through local councils, where we support a huge amount of that work, it is incredibly important that we ensure that we evaluate that and make sure that the money that we have is being used…
It is incredibly important that the programmes are impactful everywhere. In urban areas, at times, we see a manifestation of some of the challenges more frequently than in rural areas, but good relations are important no matter where people live, including in rural communities. The implementation of rural needs…
For over 10 years, the T:BUC strategy has had a significant and positive impact on the lives of so many people here. However, we recognise the need for a modernisation of our T:BUC strategy that builds on programme delivery to date, provides us with the flexibility to address the issues facing our communities today…
Last week, on 7 April, I attended a hugely supported and poignant parade by Lower Iveagh District Loyal Orange Lodge (LOL) No 1, and, yesterday, I attended the special service of remembrance marking the 50th anniversary of one of the most appalling and shocking attacks of the Troubles: a day on which the horror of…
St Patrick's week in Washington DC offers unparalleled opportunities to build connections, establish relationships and promote and champion Northern Ireland. Last week, I travelled to Washington DC to engage in more than 22 meetings and events, not just as deputy First Minister but as an advocate for our people, our…
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to think that everything that I say is simply factual rather than an opinion. Let me be clear: war is tragic. It brings about absolutely tragic outcomes. Everyone should do their best to bring about a resolution and peace in the Middle East. I have said that repeatedly. However,…
As I said, if you are in the region and your family and friends are supporting you at home, the key issue is to make sure that you get your information from the official channels. It is also important that you register. The registration system is designed to give a sense of how many people are in the region. We do not…
I thank the Member for his important question. My focus in all of it is to make sure that citizens of Northern Ireland can remain safe and get all the advice and messaging that they need at this very difficult time. He is absolutely right: I stand with the Iranians who have suffered from the oppressive, evil regime…
There are three issues that came out of the briefing on Saturday afternoon that impact on Northern Ireland. The first is that we have people from Northern Ireland who serve in the UK armed forces in the area and will be deployed in defensive action. Those people will have families in Northern Ireland. The second issue…
I thank the Member for her important question. While we can discuss the rights and wrongs of international action, we need to be clear about our role in Northern Ireland. I do not have any role in, nor do I provide feed-in to, military manoeuvres. However, I have a responsibility to do everything that I can to ensure…
I suggest that the Member looks at the reaction of ordinary Iranian people — the people who have been absolutely oppressed by that regime for many decades. I could quote from a number of reports, but I will quote from another Amnesty International report, which states: "Women and girls, LGBTI people, and ethnic and…
I thank the Member for her question. There is absolutely no indication that it is a clear breach of international law. I am not privy to all the considerations in how the decision was made. I highlight to the Member, who mentions international law, that it is about moving in to take out or remove an appalling,…
When we looked at the Programme for Government, we were absolutely clear that we could not do everything. Governments should not try to do everything, because, if they do, they will do nothing particularly well. That is why, in the Programme for Government, we have prioritised. The Member himself called for there a…
I thank the Member for his question. As indicated, the delivery unit is focusing on two areas. One is supporting the Department of Health with its objective, as set out in the Programme for Government (PFG), of reducing health waiting lists, looking in particular at the transformation project to have multidisciplinary…
I thank the Member for his important question. At the heart of all that we do must be those most impacted on: the victims and survivors. We acknowledge and put on record that it is incredibly difficult for those who have suffered at times horrendous abuse to come forward and share their story and their reflections to…
Yes, of course. We meet officials regularly, and we will do so this week to discuss further the scoping out of a potential way forward. We met on 23 September 2025 to discuss the three research reports. We also met the independent chair on 10 November 2025, and it was a very useful meeting with lots of detail and lots…
The reports are significant and lengthy, and they contain a range of observations rather than conclusions, at times. However, they are all very useful in our consideration of the way forward. We decided some time back to commission the research reports because there was a lot that was not known about the issues. The…
First, we acknowledge the significant and long-term impact that clerical child abuse has had on victims and survivors and express our sincere sympathy with all those who have been impacted on. We have been carefully considering the research reports. As the Member will appreciate, it is an important, complex and…
I thank the Member for his question. We always strive to ensure that there is as full a complement as possible. We are conscious that there are vacancies on a number of boards at the moment. We have been going through a process to try to fill those vacancies. A number of proposals have been made in this case, and…
We have had a briefing from our officials around some early preparatory work. The Member will understand fully that it is a hugely sensitive area that needs to be led by victims and survivors. There will certainly not be a one-size-fits-all approach. I have had the great privilege of working with victims and…
The victims and survivors strategy contains a commitment to work with victims and survivors, and wider society, to develop a designated public space of reflection where people can come together to remember our past. Work in this space is complex and sensitive. Currently, the focus of the strategy is on preparations…