All of Ms Michelle O'Neill’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
The investment in Ebrington aligns with the Executive's vision of building a strong, sustainable and regionally balanced economy. We are committed to investing in the north-west, and we are already seeing the positive outworkings of that commitment, including the expansion of Magee, the city deals and the projects…
That is the reasonable approach to take in the drafting of our new international relations strategy. We look on, aghast, at how people, particularly in London, have decided to wine and dine the president of the United States whilst his actions are clearly facilitating what is happening in Gaza. You cannot sell your…
Yes, I absolutely agree, because anyone with an objective mind, seeing how the situation continues to deteriorate in Gaza, will see it as completely unconscionable, intolerable and absolutely inhumane. How did we arrive at a position where women and children are being murdered daily and the international community…
I value our Irish-American links very much. Indeed, successive American Administrations have been very much part of bringing about our peace process, but you are referring to a banquet in Windsor last week that I chose not to attend, and rightly so: I do not see how a benefit would be achieved from attending a state…
Engaging with leaders from across these islands and internationally is very important if we are to promote this place and deliver across the full range of our Programme for Government ambitions. Since the restoration of the institutions, ensuring that we represent our interests and optimise the opportunities to grow a…
All I can say is that our strategy for victims and survivors is to support all people who have been injured throughout the conflict. It is important that it is all-inclusive and that we close the door to nobody. I trust that the strategy that we have is the right strategy. I encourage new applications to come forward,…
As I acknowledged, we are all trying to work out exactly what this means legislatively. The framework, when translated into legislation, could look completely different from what has been said in the framework document. I want us to understand that. I hope that they move to publish that legislation — I urge them to do…
The Member will be aware that both Governments launched their joint framework last week. All the parties will take time to review that. Unfortunately, without having the legislative text, it is hard for us to pass proper judgement on what the framework will do and how it will deliver. Ultimately, it needs to be…
I concur with that and fully recognise the vital role that the Victims and Survivors Service plays in supporting individuals across our society. I am grateful for the continued dedication of the current board. I certainly agree that it is suboptimal that a permanent chair and a full complement of board members are…
As of the week commencing 15 September, 11,853 applications had been submitted to the victims' payments scheme. Payments totalling almost £108 million have been made to all eligible applicants, offering meaningful recognition of the harm that they have suffered. With the scheme now set to close for new applications in…
With your indulgence, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, I wish Deborah Erskine well on the birth of her wee baby, Olivia. Deborah posted on social media yesterday and described her as her "wee heart warrior", so I am sure that everyone is mindful of her family at this time, and I wish them the best. The Victims and…
Can I just say, "Come on, Tyrone"? I am looking forward to going to Croke Park, obviously, to support the county team, but imagine what that could do. If we could get Casement Park delivered — — when we get Casement Park delivered, imagine what it will mean in terms of the sporting spectacular that we have in the…
Yes, absolutely. The £50 million that we secured from the British Government is a new milestone for the redevelopment of Casement Park. It creates momentum for the project. It is time for all partners to work together with funding from the British Government, the Irish Government, the Executive and the GAA. At every…
Yes. Unfortunately, in recent weeks and months, we have seen an increase in that behaviour, particularly in shared housing projects where flags are being erected against the wishes of the local community. That has to be called out for what it is: intimidation. Nobody should regard that behaviour as in any way…
Yes, of course: I absolutely agree. There is nothing acceptable or normal about that type of display — the burning of flags and political posters at bonfires. It is something that we have come to see every year. The threats and regalia that accompany some of that behaviour are also totally unacceptable. It needs to be…
All options are on the table: the Infrastructure Minister has been very forthcoming in saying so, and I stand by that. All options must be on the table, including appeal, amendments to the legislation and, potentially, new legislation. Let us look at all the options. The Department for Infrastructure has sought advice…
As I said to the Member and others yesterday, we are all disappointed by the setback for the A5. The project has been far too long in the making and has been mired in legal controversy the whole way through. I want us to get to the end point where the road is built. The Infrastructure Minister has said that she…
No, I do not. It is important that we await the Equality Commission's deliberations on the impact of the ruling on equality legislation here. We are all governed by that legislation, so it will be more prudent to wait for the Equality Commission's guidance in order that we are consistent across the board. Again, I…
The Supreme Court ruling on 16 April was that the definition of "man", "woman" and "sex" referred to biological sex in the context of the Equality Act 2010. Obviously, there are considerations as to what that means for individual Departments here. The Equality Commission has set out the view that it needs legal…
In my answers to other Members earlier, I said that I believe that the change fund is making a difference. We can see that in the roll-out of our strategy to end violence against women and girls. I want to continue to learn from that in order to see what works well. If it works across the piece, let us pick it up and…
Yes. Thank you for that. The fact that so many Members are raising that issue shows me that people in the Chamber care about ending violence against women and girls. As many people have said in recent days, Sarah Montgomery had her whole life ahead of her. She was a beautiful 27-year-old woman who had two children and…
— there are no solutions, no credible proposals and no ideas from the funded and resourced Opposition. Let me tell you something else: I am not interested in the blame game. I am more interested in trying to deliver for people and in working with others around the Executive table to try to make a positive difference…
I have heard the Member at this all day. He talks flippantly about an end-of-term report. Well, let me tell you about your end-of-term report. I have heard three things from the now funded and resourced Opposition. I repeat: the funded and resourced Opposition. The three things that I have heard are negativity,…
There is no doubt that the Executive, and every Minister, face enormous challenges as a result of years of underfunding, austerity Budgets and crushed public services. Every Minister at that Executive table is there to do their best and to try to work, through a collective effort, to address the challenges that we…