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Ms Michelle O'Neill: Assembly records
All of Ms Michelle O'Neill’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not qualifying, uncertain or not yet analysed.
To be quite frank, I think that the Opposition are being reckless in providing illustrations as part of the Budget discussion that are not reflective of reality. I believe that the Finance Minister also said that. Whilst you might be happy for us to accept the crumbs from the table and divvy up what we get, I will…
As the Member knows, we are potentially about to get our seventh British Prime Minister in a decade that can be defined only by chaos and by Governments who, whether they were led by the Tories or the Labour Party, care less about the people here, care less about investment in our public services and care less about…
I can say to the Member that we are absolutely committed to ensuring that we can deliver our capital projects better, on time and on budget. We saw some of the difficulties in the past, with projects running way over time, often because of legal challenges and cases. We need to find ways to ensure that we can deliver…
We are determined to improve the process to ensure that more of our capital projects are delivered on time and on budget. Two work streams are under way that will help to shape decision-making on the best way forward. First, TEO and Strategic Investment Board (SIB) officials are continuing to address the…
The progress stands on its own right when it comes to what has been achieved. Then, you just have to look about for how much more you can do to build on that. It is a good news success story. It ticks the box on regional balance and ensures that the north-west gets its fair share of investment. I commend all those…
Significant progress has been made at the Ebrington site, which has been transformed into an economic and cultural asset for the city and the wider north-west. Executive investment of over £40 million has helped to leverage a further £40 million in private-sector investment. As a result, Ebrington now supports more…
Yes, I do, because politics has to deliver for everybody in society. It has to deliver for our young people. They are the future leaders of our society and have every right to have their voices heard in decision-making processes that impact their lives. I have to say that, like many people in the House, I am inspired…
I cannot comment on your correspondence with the commissioner. However, any information that helps MLAs to make a decision on those important issues is to be welcomed. Where I absolutely disagree with you is on the petition of concern. It was not the way to deal with this issue.
Yes. I can concur with that. The role of the Children's Commissioner is to be that champion and to speak up very clearly when they feel that they need to and want to offer their view on any of those particularly sensitive areas. I welcome and encourage that ongoing approach from the Children's Commissioner. Initially,…
Sponsorship responsibility for NICCY continues to rest with the Department for Communities under the existing legislative framework, while the First Minister and deputy First Minister retain the joint appointing role. We are content that the current arrangements remain appropriate.
We are the appointing authority for a range of public appointments, including the Police Ombudsman. As legislation currently stands, we have no lawful basis on which to impose the suspension of an office holder who is appointed under the statute unless the statute makes provision. I can say that we have approved plans…
Yes, I read that article too. His language was very clear, as you have pointed out. He said that he had no worries about pointing out the facts. The facts are the facts. Certainly, Dr Maguire's findings remain his findings, and I have no difficulty in acknowledging his assessment. He was very clear, particularly on…
The Member might not like the answer, but the answer is the answer. All public appointments need to be beyond political interference, and we are very comfortable and content with everything that we did, particularly in the Executive Office. As soon as we became aware of any potential issue in early 2024 through…
I agree with the Member about the ugly language that was used to describe some people in our community. Like the Member, I have met many people from the black and ethnic minority community in recent times. I do that on an ongoing basis, but I did so recently given what happened over the last number of weeks. That has…
We cannot look at things in isolation. Whether it is the refugee integration strategy, the framework or the legislation, all those things need to move together and at pace. The strategy and the associated delivery framework acknowledge the importance of successful integration, particularly given that forced migration…
The DUP never miss an opportunity to speak to the gallery. You have asked me that question repeatedly, and my answer will not change. I am sorry for the loss of every life, but I believe that people on your Benches can do likewise.
We cannot say that enough. It is important that the wider community hears the message from elected representatives that we are against racism in all its forms and stand firmly against sectarianism and xenophobia. We tried to convey that message in the initial Executive statement on 10 June, when all Ministers…
As I have made clear, we condemn in the strongest possible terms the racially motivated violence that we have seen. It is appalling behaviour that has no place in our society, and it must be called out for what it is: hatred, intimidation and utter thuggery. Last week, we issued an Executive statement condemning all…
As I said, we are looking at a range of things to assist people here and now. Obviously, we will plan for the future, and some of the areas have been identified. The initial response was from the police, but the responsibility to help people has moved to the Department for Communities, and that includes rehousing…
It is important that anybody who holds an elected office be responsible in how they speak. It is really important that they be responsible for the messages that they communicate, because those messages can add to the tensions on our streets. Anybody in the House who does anything to inflame tensions should be ashamed…
There is not just one answer to it, as the Member knows. We need to come at it from every angle. That could be a policing response initially, for which additional funding was secured. I agree that this is the third year in a row in which we have had that type of racist behaviour on our streets. Likewise, I would…
I have been critical of Mears also, as has the deputy First Minister. We have raised that as an issue. As the Member knows, immigration policy is not devolved, but we have taken every opportunity to raise concerns with the relevant Ministers. On housing supply more generally, we are all of one mind here that we need…
Yes. It is so important that the voices of those with lived experience are taken into account, because, ultimately, the framework has to be about making a difference to their lives and how they live. As I indicated, we met the racial equality subgroup in Stormont in the past few weeks. We have also met people in the…
The Member makes a valid point. Different areas have different challenges, so there needs to be flexibility in the work that we do across councils. We have to first be consistent in having strong messaging against racism and other forms of hate that we see in society. Our council hubs are stood up at times of crisis,…