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.
Agency staff provide an important and flexible resource in supporting Departments to manage time-bound work pressures and meet specific business needs. Their use helps to ensure continuity in public service delivery and minimises disruption to critical Civil Service operations. For some workers, agency contracts are a…
As I said in answer to the previous question, it would depend on whether primary or secondary legislation required changing. GRO has been contacted on the issue approximately five times in the past year, usually by couples seeking clarification that the information provided by the registrar is correct. Legislation…
I have asked officials in GRO to investigate the matter. At this initial stage, we suspect that it would require legislative change. However, I am supportive of exploring what we can do, given the variety of reasons why someone may not want either parent named on their marriage certificate. In the case that the Member…
The General Register Office (GRO) must abide by the legislative positions outlined in article 3 of the Marriage (NI) Order 2003 and schedule 1 to the Marriage Regulations (NI) 2003. The Order sets out the legal requirements for parties wishing to get married here to supply details of both parents. The details should…
The most recent works carried out by Professor Holtham investigated our level of need. The British Government have come down on a figure of around 124% in relation to that report. There is an argument to be made that it should be around 128% when you include agriculture in the calculation. However, I am looking at…
We are dealing with the Administration who are in place at this time and setting out our position robustly to them. Those engagements continue. It is not the role of the sitting Finance Minister to reach out to potential incumbents. There may well be others who reach out politically — that is perfectly understandable…
I too want to see substance over a PR exercise, as the Member referenced. There needs to be a complete change of direction from the British Government in relation to their economic strategy and economic policies. There needs to be funding of public services, investment in infrastructure and investment in the economy…
I welcome the Member's support for me and my Executive colleagues in engaging with the Government on a proper and fairer funding settlement for this place. On the next steps, he will be aware of the changes that are occurring in London in relation to the leadership of the Labour Party and therefore changes in relation…
With your permission, Mr Speaker, I intend to answer questions 1, 5, 7 and 12 together, and I request an additional minute. My priority remains securing a sustainable multi-year Budget that provides certainty for Departments and enables long-term planning, investment and transformation of public services. However,…
I thank the Member for giving way. You are one or two steps ahead of the argument. We are still engaged with the British Government on proper and fair funding for this place. That engagement needs to conclude. In my opinion, the Executive will have to pass a Budget at some stage in the future.
You were looking for clawback from only one sporting organisation. On the point about getting your house in order, I am very robust with my Executive colleagues about the efficient and effective use of public resources and funding and ensuring that they are used to their optimum and that we are getting a good return…
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. As I said at the outset when I made my point of order, it is disappointing, if not entirely surprising, that the Opposition have chosen to approach the issue in the way in which they have, rather than by engaging seriously with the substance of the Budget and the very real challenges that…
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. My understanding is that the Speaker has made rulings on respect for the House in relation to debates in the House. The leader of the Opposition has complained previously to the Speaker about interventions that I have made in the media prior to debates. The leader of the…
I again thank all Members for their contributions and for their engagement with the Bill across all previous stages. As has been noted, I have listened carefully, as have other Ministers, and with interest to the points raised and, where necessary, have made amendments to the Bill to make it better and more effective…
I beg to move Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. The Final Stage debate will conclude this part of the legislative process for the Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill, which I introduced to the Assembly on 23 June 2025. Since then, the Bill has been subject to detailed scrutiny and debate, which…
I think that you are definitely stretching it. To set up the Fiscal Council or any board, body or structure without any defined role would be utter nonsense. The defined role of the Fiscal Council is to provide the two pieces of work that you have set out. That is its defined role. Anything that it does after that is…
Mr Speaker, coming after the previous business, a debate on the Fiscal Council Bill, which may be described as a dry matter, may not be considered important, but it certainly is. First, I add my voice to that of Members who have spoken in support of our international workers, whether they work in healthcare or in…
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Today's Final Stage debate concludes this part of the legislative process for the Fiscal Council Bill. Members will be aware that the legislation is necessary to place the council on a statutory footing and to secure its independence. I begin by thanking all members of the…
My Department has been engaging regularly with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in Whitehall on those matters over a period. I think that it is important that the Executive provide a response to it rather than individual Departments. There may be some issues that are specific to individual…
I await the proposals from the hospitality sector. I indicated to it at the time that I would not take any further actions until I saw its proposals, so I await the proposals.
Following my meeting with the hospitality sector in February, when I halted the Reval, it has been working on its own proposals. I believe that those are at an advanced stage and will be brought back to me. My officials have been engaging with the sector back and forth on that.