All of Ms Joanne Bunting’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not qualifying, uncertain or not yet analysed.
I am extremely passionate about the issue. Cruelty to and the mistreatment and neglect of animals are utterly repugnant. Many of us believe that there should be zero tolerance, yet we find ourselves in the most bizarre of circumstances: although some have been banned from keeping animals, there is no official record…
I am grateful to the Minister for her answer. She will appreciate that, in the current climate, it is important that all options are available to help people who find themselves in such situations. She cited the year-on-year costs, which are, indeed, significant for the Department. Can she outline why that is; the…
Release of Police Ombudsman’s Report into the Kingsmill Massacre That this Assembly condemns the callous, sectarian and terrorist murder of ten protestant workmen at Kingsmill on 5 January 1976; stands with the sole survivor, Mr Alan Black, and the bereaved families in their ongoing pursuit of truth and justice;…
To ask the Minister of Education for an update on his Department's review of the eligibility criteria for (i) free school meals; and (ii) uniform grants.
While I am disappointed that the Justice Minister is not in her place, I am grateful to her colleague for stepping up and answering such a serious question on a serious issue that faces our society at present. As the Minister outlined, the woman who have been killed in the past six weeks are: Sophie Watson, on 18…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I refer to the Second Stage of the Justice Bill, which occurred on 1 October. At that stage, I stood in my capacity as Chair of the Committee. Today, I do so in a private capacity as an MLA. At that time, further to the Committee's request for a Keeling schedule, the Minister outlined…
Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy 2024-2031 To ask the Minister of Justice to outline any plans she has to update her Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy 2024-2031, in light of reports of the killings of four women in the last six weeks.
Extension of Committee Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27) That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 27 March 2026, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Justice Bill.
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the number of young people coming out of care that have presented as homeless in each of the last five years.
Creating a Register of Animal Welfare Offenders That this Assembly believes those convicted of animal cruelty should be prohibited from owning or breeding animals in the future; notes with concern the recent figures from the Department of Justice indicating that between 2018 and 2022, only 12 per cent of convictions…
The Minister knows well that I was seeking clarification on a point about whether those offences would invite a prison sentence. I sought clarification, and the Minister chose to twist the meaning of what I asked.
Thanks, Minister, for giving way. I want to seek clarification on a point. Earlier, your colleague raised the issue of people mentioning deprivation of liberty. You will be aware that, in the proposals that are to follow, there is the creation of two offences: one of directing serious and organised crime and another…
I am grateful to the Member for giving way. We have debated this at length, and I was very clear when I spoke as Chair of the Committee and as an individual Member that we are coming to the Bill with the best of intentions: to produce an Act that has been through the proper processes and has been effectively…
Thank you. I will resume the remarks that I was making in my capacity as a private Member on Part 2 of the Bill, which is on children's bail and custody. I will refer to the accommodation situation —. I will move to issues on accommodation when a child is granted bail. Whilst the aim may be to keep children from…
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. The Member was being somewhat pejorative when he said that Committee members who have not considered Bills before may be overwhelmed: that is not the case. We look forward to scrutinising the Bill, but our concern is that that should be done in the right way and in the best way. We know…
I hear what the Minister says. I will address her point as I come to it. My next paragraph indicates that evidence that was brought to the court was not brought before the Committee. Last Thursday, the Committee received a briefing from departmental officials on the Bill's content and principles. I put on record the…
The Department made a transformation bid with regard to ending violence against women and girls, but, unfortunately, that did not move to the next stage. What are the Minister's plans for the next steps, as that bid was unsuccessful?
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister what discussions have been held with the administrators of the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme to address the lengthy timeframes for assessments and decisions.
I am grateful to my colleague for securing this question for urgent oral answer today. It seems as though the workers in Harland and Wolff are in a perpetual state of flux. It is very difficult for people. The Minister mentioned immediate employment, but what is being done to secure their employment going forward,…