All of Ms Liz Kimmins’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
Again, I have outlined the plan for my three-pronged approach on many occasions here, as well as the approaches that we are taking in different areas of work, which have made and continue to make a difference. I am of the view, however, that the funding model works. It is the right one for NI Water, because it ensures…
I thank my colleague for his warm wishes and wish him the same. I hope that he gets a good break over Christmas and gets time to enjoy it with his family. We are all looking forward to it at this stage, and, hopefully, we will get to enjoy it, along with many others. I have probably answered that question in some of…
I also offer my best wishes to my constituency colleague William Irwin. We have always had a very good relationship, and I appreciate his work over many years. I wish him all the best in his retirement, which is, at this stage, well deserved. The best of luck with that, William. On the Member's question, we are doing…
Road safety remains a major priority for me. This year, more than 50 families have already received the devastating news that their loved one has been killed in a road traffic collision, and many more have learned of life-changing injuries. My Department continues to collaborate with blue-light organisations and other…
I am sure that the Member will appreciate that, at this point in time, it would be remiss of me to go into any level of detail. However, I will say that, as the work on the appeal has been ongoing, my officials have also been looking at a contingency plan as to what other options there are for us to take that forward.…
Yes. I am glad that the Member raised that question as it is an issue that I have been quite vocal about for many years. I fully acknowledge the significant societal and economic benefits that free public transport can deliver for people with disabilities. As well as that, increasing the use of public transport is a…
The Inclusion Foundation, which is also known as Including People, is about creating an infrastructure system that works for everyone, including older people, those with disabilities and those with sensory impairments. Accessible transport is not just about ramps or designated seating; it is about dignity, equality…
As the Member will know, we have done a consultation on biennial testing. The responses are with my officials, who are finalising a detailed paper that will come to me for consideration on the future of MOT testing here. I will update Members in due course when that is available. From a road safety perspective, it is…
It absolutely did. In May 2024, the average MOT waiting time was approximately 100 days. I am pleased that the waiting time for an MOT is now down to 32 days. That has been achieved by increasing the number of tests that are conducted and managing demand through the use of TECs. The Driver and Vehicle Agency has…
I appreciate the Member's raising that. I am happy for you to provide more detail on that specific issue to my private office, and we can look into it and try to get it rectified. I have outlined how that process works, but if there are issues, I am keen to make sure that they are addressed.
From 1 June 2025, private cars that were first registered between 1 June 2020 and 31 May 2021 or that were registered between 1 June 2018 and 31 May 2019 and have a valid MOT certificate will be given a temporary exemption certificate. The TEC means they will not need a vehicle test — MOT — for 12 months from the date…
As the Member takes plenty of pictures of potholes, maybe he should listen to his own advice. To answer his question on the Mineral Products Association and today's December monitoring outcome, yes, there is £13·2 million. There was a £20 million ask, but we have also been allocated money from overplanning, so there…
I have met the Mineral Products Association on a number of occasions since coming into post, and I am acutely aware of the concerns that it continues to raise. That is why I focused in the December monitoring round on putting in a specific bid for structural maintenance. I said that I wanted to do that and that I…
As I have mentioned, the new strategy will focus on delivering higher-quality repairs instead of spreading resources too thinly. That will ensure a more reliable and safer road network and that our interventions prove to be more effective, so that we are not having to come back time and time again to the same areas.…
I am not for one second questioning the intelligence of any of my staff. That was a disappointing remark. We are using the digital technology available to us to make smarter decisions so that we can free up our workforce to do the work that needs to be done and ensure that we are not sending staff out to the same…
As the Member will be aware and as I have mentioned today, my Department has been operating in a difficult financial environment for many, many years as a result of underfunding and underinvestment by British Governments. That has created significant challenges in our ability to maintain the road network in a safe…
The "millions of tons" that the Member refers to might be a wee bit of an exaggeration. I have a breakdown of the content of the spills that have gone into some of the waterways. We do not want any to go in; I want to make that very clear. I do not want anybody to be scapegoated. There is work for us all in tackling…
The Member has chosen his words carefully, because he is fully aware of why there has been an underspend in capital in my Department. The issue with the A5 is completely beyond my control. I cannot spend money that I am not allowed to spend, and that is the reality of it. However, the Member will also be aware that,…
That is a major priority. I have been working with the Agriculture Minister on those serious issues. I have already outlined some of the steps that I am taking to offset that. You will be aware of the recent investigation by the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP): I welcome that, because it gives us an…
As I suggested there, the aim of the pilot project is to make a robust case to transform the way in which rainwater is managed in towns and cities by managing rainwater naturally on the surface and slowing the flow into our rivers and pipe drainage system. Slowing that flow will help to reduce flood risks and improve…
As the Member may be aware, that £2 billion shortfall is over a number of years. Given the overall Executive Budget, it would be unrealistic to say that that could be met. However, I am an optimist, and it is important that we look at what is available to us and how we can do that. That is why I have talked about some…
I am clear that there needs to be investment in drainage and waste water treatment around Belfast lough. With regard to the necessary funding for those projects, I assure the Member that I have been working hard to deliver the most funding possible within the budget available to my Department. This year alone, NI…
I, too, welcome the passage of what, for me, is significant legislation. This will be a momentous day for the thousands of women across the North who have experienced the devastating loss of a baby at whatever stage of pregnancy. They will finally feel seen and heard, and we have acknowledged and recognised their loss…
In compliance with section 52 of the NI Act 1998, I wish to make a statement on the meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in the transport sector, which was held on Thursday 23 October 2025. I chaired the meeting, which took place in the offices of the NSMC joint secretariat in Armagh. Minister Darragh…