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.
I am not sure that I picked up the question correctly. If I did not, given the time, I will write to you. One of the beauties of our strategy is the fact that so many partners came together to devise it, including groups that work with young people. I think that that is what you referred to, Andy. I am sorry: I did…
Yes, I will. The Member may have seen at the weekend that Justine McCarthy wrote in 'The Irish Times': "Misogyny is killing women but it is sexism that facilitates it." That is a real wake-up call. Together, we have to break the cycle of violence and support those women and girls who refuse to be silenced. All of us…
Yes, the Women in Business Awards is a great initiative. It is always such a positive event at which to celebrate all that is great about women in business and to celebrate all the innovators right across the business community. I commend Women in Business itself on the work that it does to support women to ensure…
Dealing with funding levels was one of our day-1 priorities, and every party grouping that is represented in the Chamber certainly signed up to that being the case. The British Government have recognised that we have been underfunded, but we are feeling the detrimental impact of 14 years of Tory austerity, which is…
I have not seen the full detail, but I know that cuts have been announced. We absolutely have to raise that issue with the British Government, and I am sure that the Department for Communities will likewise want to raise issues with them. It is more of the same from the Government in London. They are constantly…
Yes, I am determined, as is the deputy First Minister and our entire Executive, to continue to promote our wares and sell what we have on that international front. We have great people, a happy population, a talented workforce and a young, strong cohort coming out of our universities. We have a very skilled population…
As I said, it was a real pleasure to visit North Carolina with the Chamber of Commerce and for us to have the opportunity to lead that delegation of local business leaders. We had the chance to set out our stall to some of the world's leading businesses. We took the opportunity to showcase the strength of our economy.…
As the Member is aware, I did not attend Washington last week for reasons that I have just referenced: the situation in Palestine and the stance of the US Administration. I simply will not turn the other way when I see such a breach of international law and the genocide of the Palestinian people. I tell you all, when…
Yes. I call on the Israeli Government to reinstate and respect the ceasefire that was achieved. However, the international community, including in Britain and Dublin, needs to ensure that all pressure is exerted to avert what is happening right now. Israel cannot just be allowed to continue to breach international…
Last night's air strikes on Gaza were nothing short of a brutal and inhumane assault on people who are defenceless. These are people with nowhere to go, no roofs over their heads and no food in front of them. Children are trapped in a nightmare with nowhere to run. What we have seen over the course of the past 24 to…
I will not apologise for standing up for people. I will not apologise for working hard on people's behalf. As regards the storm response, I believe that every agency put its shoulder to the wheel. Everybody got on the ground immediately to try to assist. I believe that we gave out the right warnings to try to get…
It was right for us to make the good, strong and articulate case for why people needed to have compensation. Unfortunately, that is not how it has transpired. There was a lot of effort, as we said at the time, and a lot of credit needs to go to all our agencies that responded in live play at that time to support…
We are flying through them today. The Executive faced significant challenges in setting a Budget for 2024-25, and the financial position remains very difficult due to the interim fiscal framework. We therefore have insufficient budget, and conversations about that are ongoing. As a consequence of that, all Departments…
As I said, we recently received information on the specific options. We have to meet our permanent secretary to discuss those. No decisions have been made. We have to discuss them, because, as I have said in the Chamber, we need political agreement on the enormous economic potential of the site; you know that. I know…
We recognise the immense economic, historical and reconciliation potential of the site and are committed to working with the Maze/Long Kesh (MLK) board to maximise those opportunities for the benefit of all. The board met the TEO permanent secretary on 27 February 2025. We have since received advice from officials on…
I stand over my remarks, and I will repeat them today. There is no escaping the fact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and what it has meant, with the devastation that is left behind. We all witness that every day and want it to end. It is a flagrant breach of international law. The best way to end such things is with…
The Executive Office has led an effective and coordinated local humanitarian response to support those arriving here following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. To date, we have welcomed over 3,400 Ukrainian citizens under the visa routes established by Westminster. Our Department has ensured that appropriate safeguarding…
Yes. That is why it is important that the commissioner is in place. I am sure that the deputy First Minister would agree that, when we interviewed Siobhan, we saw that she had real passion for being an advocate for older people. She has a great depth of experience from her previous role, which will really enhance her…
We are delighted to have appointed Siobhan Casey as Commissioner for Older People. Siobhan will be in post from 7 April 2025. We recognise the role of the commissioner as being vital in safeguarding and promoting the interests of older people here and ensuring that the welfare and rights of the sector are respected…
That is not related to the question. As I have told you on every occasion that you have asked me that, I am not playing your game. Every time you ask me the question, I will give you the same answer.
As the Member is acutely aware from her personal experience, the online experience of so many women is horrific, to say the least. That is why it is important that, as part of our strategy, we look at that very area. The situation is evolving, as new software comes online and there are new ways to engage online. As…
I thank the Member for the question. I confirm that £3·2 million has been allocated to the change fund under two work strands, both of which were launched in January, to assist local groups and organisations as well as eight community and voluntary sector expert organisations in their work to end violence against…