All of Mr Matthew O'Toole’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
I thank the Member for giving way. He mentioned the 2004 Order, which is, in effect, hate crime legislation. It is the hate crime legislation that exists in Northern Ireland, so such a law exists. It is there. He also talked about scrutiny. It is an Order, so it was brought in by a direct rule Minister when this place…
The Member is right: this is a big subject, and, as Joanne Bunting said, it requires really careful consideration. We support the principle, but it requires careful consideration. Does the Member agree that that argues in favour of a stand-alone Bill, where Committee members and Assembly Members writ large can examine…
I welcome the fact that we have had broad consensus on the importance of a free press and, indeed, broad or relatively broad consensus on the unacceptability of what happened to Barry McCaffrey, Trevor Birney and other journalists operating in Northern Ireland. We know now that inappropriate surveillance of those…
I appreciate the Minister giving way on that point. Am I to understand, given that that bit of the Cabinet Office guidance implies that other avenues should be exhausted, that, should those avenues be exhausted and there be a view in the House — hopefully with some consensus — that an independent inquiry would add to…
Does the Member agree that the late disclosure and loss of documents is, as we know when we look at some of the legacy cases, a complete symptom of the state and part of the reason why an independent inquiry with statutory powers may, ultimately, be required?
I beg to move I am glad, Mr Speaker, that you mentioned the Contempt of Court Act and the ongoing investigation by the investigatory powers tribunal. In having the debate, it is important that we are careful about some of what we say but also robust in standing for a free press, which is the cornerstone of a…
Mr O'Toole asked the Minister of Finance, after pointing out that the Sinn Féin manifesto for the Assembly election in 2022 called for "greater devolution of fiscal powers to better equip the Assembly to target resources and develop progressive taxation policies that will improve public services" and agreeing with…
Dual Market Access That this Assembly affirms the huge opportunity afforded to our local economy as a result of the dual market access available to businesses here, allowing the seamless movement of goods into both the EU and UK markets; recognises that this opportunity has the potential to deliver tangible benefits…
Cross-border Healthcare That this Assembly acknowledges the daunting challenges facing our health service; laments that Northern Ireland has fallen behind the Republic of Ireland and the rest of these isles on several healthcare outcomes; understands that a solution to our healthcare challenges will not come solely…
All-Ireland Tourism That this Assembly notes the importance of tourism as a driver of an all-island economy; further notes that the biggest port of entry for Northern Ireland visitors remains Dublin Airport; expresses concern that the UK Government’s Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme poses a fundamental risk to…
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs when he will increase fines for repeated breaches of pollution rules, after it decreased in October 2022.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I was quick on my feet there, and apologies to my colleague Mr McCrossan for having to stand up before the end of his remarks. I will speak very briefly, because I have a particular constituency interest in this legislation. What brought this issue to the public fore was events at…
I welcome the new Health Minister to his role. I welcome the fact that he said in his statement that his ambition is "for better outcomes". What conversations has he had and what outcomes will he seek to place in a Programme for Government that will be not just aspirational but specific and clear about getting waiting…
Minister, while the intentions may have been good, it is important to recognise that this has been terrible law. Mr Justice Humphreys, in his judgement, was clear and damning. He said: "the imposition of a criminal sanction on public interest journalism, and the chilling effect occasioned thereby, represents an…
Minister, three months ago, the Assembly debated a motion that called for many of the actions that you are now talking about. Can you be specific? You said that the consultation will be launched, hopefully, before recess. Can you give a timeline for when you want the guidance to be put into statute? Will it be by the…
Minister, it is good to have you back. I agree that we do not want to see any extra burdens on our hard-pressed students. It is also the case that we export an entire university's worth of young people from these shores every year. Many of them want to go, but too many do not want to go, and they do not come back. It…
Minister, I welcome the statement. I note that, on educational underachievement, the pilot cooperation programme is due to begin in 2024 and 2025 with €24 million from the Irish Government's Shared Island unit and that further details will be provided in due course. With respect, we are in 2024 already. When do you…
To ask the Minister for the Economy how many meetings he has sought with the Home Secretary, or other UK government ministers, to discuss the effects of the electronic travel authorisation on tourism and the wider Northern Ireland economy.
To ask the Minister for Communities whether his Department has engaged with Belfast City Council with a view to re-establishing the Renewing the Routes Programme to support economic development in the city's neighbourhoods.
Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 To ask the Minister of Justice what action she intends to take following the High Court decision on the Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.