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.
I am pleased to report that the four statutory rules (SRs) necessary to support the introduction of the graduated driver licence (GDL) have successfully passed the Infrastructure Committee's initial scrutiny. That allows me to request the scheduling of a motion to debate the draft specified restrictions regulations…
The Member will also be aware that that is a policing decision. The police have outlined that, where a crime is committed, they are willing to assist in the removal of materials that are essentially a crime, and they have done so in the past. As I said in my previous response, we continue to work with the PSNI. I also…
As the Member will know, that is a long-standing issue. I am pleased to say that my Department has been working closely with the PSNI and other statutory bodies towards a memorandum of understanding to deal with what we know is a sensitive issue. My constituency office has had complaints about flags being erected…
As the Member will know, I serve a large rural constituency. There is no doubt that many of the roads in south Armagh and in Armagh city are in a dire state. I travel on them every day, so I know just how bad things are. Rural roads make up about 75% of the entire road network and, therefore, a significant proportion…
I have set out clearly what the current methodology is. Based on the information and advice that is available to me, that is the fairest way to do it in order to ensure that distribution is proportionate. I do not wish to dismiss the statistics that the Member outlined, but it is important to look at what the capacity…
The distribution of the funding that is available for capital structural maintenance for allocation to the four DFI Roads divisions are made based on need, using a range of weighted indicators that are tailored to each maintenance activity. Divisions broadly use those indicators when apportioning funding across…
Similar to what I said in response to a previous question, that project was identified in the prioritisation strategy, as the Member will know. I was very pleased to include it, because I recognise the importance of that line. Officials are working closely with Translink to progress those business cases. Everything is…
As the Member will know, there has been no detail about what Translink has been looking at. I have been engaging with Translink representatives. I met the chair of the board just last week, and I will have a meeting with Translink's wider board next week. The Member referred to information that the chief executive…
I thank the Member for his comments. It is all very positive. We have set out very clearly, particularly through the announcement of the prioritisation strategy, what we want to do. It is incumbent on me and everybody involved to continue to work to ensure that that is delivered. The Department continues to work with…
It is too early to give precise dates on the reopening of the Knockmore line. It is recognised as a major project in the rail reprioritisation strategy and work will not begin on it until after 2030. Apologies, that is for work on the new line. The historic track on the line and the signalling need to be upgraded to…
Translink is working closely with my Department to examine the options for reopening the Antrim to Knockmore railway line. A business case is already in development and will be submitted to my Department by Translink later this year. As the Member will have heard me say before, ensuring airport connectivity for…
The Member may not be aware of this, but enforcement is the responsibility of the AERA Minister; it is not my responsibility. AERA has the remit for water quality. However, as I said in my response to the Member who asked the previous question, I am committed to continuing to work with the AERA Minister because I…
As the Member will be aware, the Minister has outlined his suggestions on SoRPI, and we continue to engage with him on that. It is important to recognise that the removal of SoRPI will have significant consequences if it is not done in a planned and managed way. It was established to recognise the waste water…
As I have mentioned, the Department has secured £15 million from the transformation fund for that four-year period from 2025-26 to 2028-29. The allocation of £370,000 during 2025-26 has already been fully spent, and £4·625 million has been allocated for this financial year. That funding will be used to support the…
The requirements when it comes to the investment that is needed to deliver the Living with Water plan for Belfast are well rehearsed at this stage. It is important to recognise that the challenges that we face are the result of a significant increase in costs — 50% over two years — from the original figure of £1·2…
The recurrent flooding on the Shore Road near Mill Road is caused by a combined sewer overflow on the NI Water sewerage network. That overflow should discharge directly to the nearby watercourse that flows into Belfast lough but is instead surcharging directly on to the Shore Road. That is due to deficiencies in the…
If there are issues that have not been addressed or assessed, I am happy to look at them again. Everything that we do is about striving to ensure that we improve road safety across the North. The Member will know that everything is a priority but that, due to budget, it is not always possible to fulfil everything.…
As the Member will know from my response to his questions on that issue, that predates me, so I cannot speak to the decisions that happened at that time. However, as the Member will also be aware, we do not have an agreed Budget, and that will factor into Budget discussions. I have met the consultants to discuss the…
As the Member may be aware, the consultation on the draft road maintenance strategy ran from 2 December and closed at the end of January 2026. I am grateful to all those who provided feedback to the consultation, because it has been overwhelmingly positive. I am working closely with my officials to finalise the…
First, we take this very seriously, particularly given that there have been fatalities. In my response, I acknowledged that the Department is treating the junction as a priority. Unfortunately, a complex process is needed to do exactly what we need to do, which is a full upgrade and improvement of the three locations…
Road safety is a high priority for my Department, and we are committed to working proactively to make our roads safer and address the needs of all road users. I fully recognise the concerns about the junction, which have been raised with my Department by a number of elected representatives, including Michelle Guy. My…
As the Member is aware, we had a site meeting a number of weeks ago. I understand the concerns, because, as he said, we share that constituency. I go up and down that road regularly, whether I am going to Gosford or coming to and from the matches. I know how busy the road is, particularly at that junction. The Member…
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. In compliance with section 52 of the NI Act 1998, I wish to make the following statement on the meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in transport sectoral format that was held on Thursday 7 May 2026 in Dublin. I attended the twenty-sixth North/South…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I want to correct the record. The Member for West Tyrone said that a planning application has been sitting on my desk since last November. That is inaccurate, and I want that corrected for the record.