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. I appreciate that he does not like certain types of investment — I agree with him on the Israel point — but I know that his party supported Brexit. Will he acknowledge that communities such as west Belfast have lost a fortune in EU investment? It is important for him to acknowledge…
I appreciate the Member's giving way. I suspect that I will get a slightly different answer to this from him than I would from some of the other Members opposite. Does he agree that, although we all may have reservations about what the UK Government are doing, their stated aspiration to move closer to the single…
I am pleased to be speaking again about the old specialist subject a decade on from Brexit, the thing that generated all the consequences that have flowed from it, as well as this debate. Indeed, we in the SDLP are not just pleased to be speaking about it but are flattered to be debating something that we put in the…
It is important, first, to say that our thoughts are with anybody who has been affected. It is very difficult for the victims and witnesses. It is also important to say that you, Minister, have managed this relationship for most of the past half decade. Your party has effectively had a monopoly on the Department for a…
Minister, I have called this a ghost Budget. You have given us more detail today, so, in fairness, I probably have to upgrade that a bit. It will be more like a phantom or a zombie until we get Executive agreement, but there is detail in here. One of my biggest concerns is about something that you said in the…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker, according to my computer, I received the ministerial statement on the draft Budget at 3.03 pm. Standing Order 18A makes it clear that Members are supposed to receive statements at least 30 minutes before Ministers make their statements in the House. Assuming that the Minister makes his…
On that basis, Minister, can you confirm that you cannot make the allocations that you have stated in that document that you want to make until there is Executive agreement? Is it the case that they have no standing until there is Executive agreement? Last week, lots of organisations appeared to be under the…
Minister, you are at pains to describe the December monitoring round as a document of profound strategy and genius interventions here, there and everywhere as if it was planned. The truth is, Minister, that 10% of the entire Executive capital budget was underspent with three months left of the financial year. That is…
Minister, one of the strategic aims set out in the strategy that you published last year is about the: "Development, maintenance and protection of the Integrated Ethos". However, from your previous answers, it sounds as if you think that the integrated ethos, which is more than simply a mixing of the numbers of…
On a point of order, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I have a point of order on the vote that is about to take place now. In 'New Decade, New Approach', at point 2.2.4 of annex B, it states that a petition of concern would not be applicable for a motion that had: "no express legal or procedural effect." That provision…
We have rather drifted from the main topic of the action in Venezuela, so let me bring it back to that. When talking about politics and international affairs, there is a truth that, unfortunately, is undermined or sometimes obviated by social media, which is that two things can be true at the same time. It can be true…
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your kind words and for offering Members the opportunity to pay their respects to two giants of public service; people who embodied the heart of the Social Democratic and Labour Party and the values that created and still animate our party and movement today. As you said, Mr Speaker, Joe and…
Mr O'Toole asked the Minister of Finance, having noted that Members are in the slightly absurd situation of having belatedly received a statement on the Budget but being unable to ask questions about it specifically until an embargo breaks, about which there will be more to say shortly, and that the Minister published…
To ask the Minister for Communities for his assessment of the Minister of Finance's Proposed Draft Budget 2026-29/30, in relation to funding for arts and culture.
To ask the Minister of Justice to outline the steps she will take to resolve the dispute with members of the Criminal Bar Association over Crown Court legal aid fees.
Executive Progress That this Assembly expresses concern at the continued failure of the Executive to deliver on its core responsibilities; notes in particular, the absence of an Executive agreed multi-year Budget, limited progress on the passage of Executive legislation, and the lack of delivery of Programme for…
Addressing Unaffordable Housing Costs That this Assembly notes with concern the sharp rise in private rents across Northern Ireland; recognises that rapidly rising rents are outpacing incomes, increasing housing insecurity, and placing significant pressure on households; believes that existing measures are…
Delivering a Successful Fleadh That this Assembly welcomes the forthcoming hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast; recognises the significant cultural, social and economic opportunities presented by the Fleadh, including increased tourism, support for local businesses, and the promotion of traditional music…