All of Mr John O'Dowd’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
In fairness to my predecessor and my officials during my tenure in this office, we have spent a considerable amount of time working with the Treasury. It understands our position, and we understand its position. We have managed to reach a number of quite good agreements with the Treasury that are beneficial to the…
I thank the Member for her question. I had a very useful meeting and conversation with the Justice Minister last week about that. This is about new money going to the Department of Justice that is ring-fenced for the recovery of policing numbers. The challenge remains on the table for the Justice Minister. Every…
Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Thank you for the opportunity to update the Assembly on the 2024-25 provisional out-turn and the 2025-26 June monitoring exercise. Before turning to the current year, I want to update the Assembly on the 2024-25 provisional out-turn and the resulting carry-forward under the…
Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I am grateful to Members for their contributions. As I set out, these regulations give effect to the Legal Complaints and Regulation Act 2016 by establishing the post of Legal Services Oversight Commissioner. Introducing a layperson-led complaints process against…
I beg to move The legal profession is crucial in upholding the rule of law, ensuring access to justice and protecting individual rights. The work of the profession ensures fairness, accountability and the proper functioning of the legal system. We must therefore ensure that there are proper mechanisms for people to…
I beg to introduce the Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill [NIA 19/22-27], which is a Bill to make further provision with respect to the administration and financing of public services in Northern Ireland, in particular, measures to provide powers to undertake certain activities, to enable charging for…
I beg to introduce the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill [NIA 18/22-27], which is a Bill to make provision for the establishment and functions of the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council; and for connected purposes.
The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Revised Wording) That this Assembly notes the successful passage of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025; and further notes the relevant provisions of the Act dealing with Smart Data, the National Underground Asset Register and the amendment of Section 35 of the Digital Economy Act…
Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I thank all Members who have expressed their views in today's debate and all those who contributed to earlier debates on the Bill and to the debate on the associated Supply resolution two weeks ago. I also record my thanks to my departmental officials, who have put…
I beg to move Today's Final Stage concludes this part of the legislative process of the Budget (No. 2) Bill. The Bill provides the legislative authority for the expenditure of the Departments and other bodies as set out in the Main Estimates, which were laid in the Assembly on 21 May 2025. The Main Estimates are, in…
Professor Holtham’s work was crucial to securing the agreement. He is very highly regarded across these islands for his work in the field and, particularly, in his work on a similar funding model in Wales. He is respected by the Treasury and others, so it was important to bring that independent and respected voice to…
In financial terms, it will make around £600 million difference over the spending review period. It was crucial that we were able to secure that agreement with the Treasury and separate agriculture funding from the formula, which, in part, helped to secure that additional £600 million.
I stand to be corrected on this, and I will follow up with the Member in writing. While my Department has the lead on it, there may be regulations in other Departments that might cover certain parts and aspects of that work. I can explain my experiences from engaging with property management companies in my…
I recently met officials on that matter, and it is an area of work that I am interested in continuing. However, as with many Departments, we have limited resources and have to prioritise what programmes of work we can realistically bring forward in this mandate. I have asked my permanent secretary to bring forward a…
I am not sure whether actual targets have been published, but, with regard to Budget sustainability, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. As I said, our returns show that we now have a stable Budget in the sense that we have cleared what should never have been classified as a debt but was classified as such by…
We continue to work our way through the Budget sustainability plan. I announced earlier that, as part of the returns, the Treasury and the British Government no longer require us, on confirmation of the returns, to repay around £500 million, which was part of the package for return. That is a good thing. While we…
It all depends on the number of jobs for advertisement that come from the Communities Department. It would have to make a decision on whether it can afford those recruitment practices. That decision has to be made. There is also difficulty recruiting a workforce when there are low unemployment rates. We are trying to…
My Department is responsible for recruitment on the basis that, when Departments come to us seeking recruitment, we run the process for them through NICS human resources service (HRS). However, the level of recruitment required in each Department is a matter for that Department.
The report covers a wide aspect, as the Member will know, of the challenges and opportunities for local businesses — certainly the challenges. I will continue to engage with the local business sector about those matters. We have consultations going on about rates and how they impact negatively and positively on…
I have not received a formal reply to date, but the report formed part of the evidence pack that I presented to Treasury in relation to the comprehensive spending review.