All of Mr Paul Givan’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
Let me respond to my colleague. He is right to highlight the issue about the framework. Even if the framework were to be developed, broader society and certainly our schools would need to be confident that it was robust, that it could be effective and that it would be a replacement that was a credible alternative…
Mr Frew can speak for himself. I am not so sure that the implication that Mr Frew, by way of his amendments, was trying to be helpful is accurate. He tabled amendments to amendments, and they were designed to try to prevent any change to the minimum age.
Of course, the younger you go, the fewer incidents there are. The numbers are relatively low, but that is not a reason to change the law on the age of criminal responsibility. Each year, around 50 children up to the age of 12 are identified in our schools by way of intervention. That number rises to 700 children per…
I have made the point about the prematurity of legislating without having alternatives in place. The Minister has made her point about not making unnecessary preparation for something that may not materialise. I understand that. However, if we were to take the provision forward, it would have been better to do so…
My officials engaged with the Minister's Department while the amendments were being tabled, and they did so to identify what the alternative would be. The point was relayed to my officials that they would work on some of the frameworks. That will not change my position. The Alliance Party is right that the DUP's…
I am happy to respond. There is a contradiction where, on the one hand, I am criticised for drawing on my education experience but, on the other hand, am asked questions about that. I have no problem with that. I will be happy to provide some of those statistics to the Member who has raised them. The broader point…
No, with respect, I am going to make some progress. I am happy to give way on points of clarity and will do so in due course, but I am going to proceed. I was making a comment about Mr Dickson's indicating that it may well be difficult for some of the arm's-length bodies to engage with Ministers in the Department of…
With respect, Mr Speaker, the Member wishes to ascribe commentary to me that I did not make. I referred to "Members"; I did not say "the Minister". However, the Minister is a Member of the House. It is not unprecedented — far from it. In fact, I only wish that more Members contributed to debates. I am glad that there…
The Minister was right to say that, when she attempted to bring it to the Executive, the DUP did not support it. I did not support it, and that is why these are not ministerial amendments. I will give way.
I am going to make some progress. I have only been able to start my speech, and Members want me to give way. I will be generous in giving way. I say this to the Minister of Justice: the amendments were tabled not by the Minister but by MLAs.
I am happy to clarify that. I am speaking from the Back Benches, which is why I am not sitting on the Front Bench, but I am also the Minister of Education, and I will draw upon my experiences in that role to inform the House. It is important that Members have the opportunity to be informed, but maybe you do not want…
Again, I will not be lectured by anybody in Sinn Féin. You had a Sinn Féin Education Minister who was a self-confessed commander of the IRA. Let us get real when it comes to lecturing me about anything to do with my integrity and who I speak for. Sinn Féin can sit this one out. Sit it out. You have no integrity when…
FlaggedLegacy of the Troubles, victims and paramilitarismCriteria met: Identity framing, Dog-whistle messaging, Controversy escalation.
I am speaking from the Back Bench, although I am happy to speak about my role as Education Minister and reflect on that from the Back Bench. I am quite happy if the Member for Sinn Féin wants to have an interjection. I will give way rather than have her speak from a sedentary position.
Well, at least the Member has decided to come in to join the debate. I was not sure: one minute, Sinn Féin is in; then Sinn Féin is out. I appreciate what the previous Member who spoke said when apologising to the public for the antics of her own colleague last night. She was right to apologise on her behalf. Maybe…
Uncertain: close callCriteria met: Controversy escalation.
I follow Members from Sinn Féin, who really should just sit this one out. I will not be lectured on progressive politics and defending the rights of children by Sinn Féin. Not from a party and a republican movement that were kneecapping children, breaking their ankles, beating them with baseball bats and depriving…
FlaggedLegacy of the Troubles, victims and paramilitarismCriteria met: Identity framing, Sectarian or communal antagonism, Dog-whistle messaging.
I appreciate Mr Burrows giving way and commend him for the way that he has navigated things in his party. He referred to the Jamie Bulger case, and I noted that, when the Alliance Party Member asked him to give way, Mr Tennyson did not talk about that case. The judge found that those children, at 10 years of age, had…
I appreciate the Member giving way. I have my name down to speak in the debate on this group of amendments, and I will do so later. I rise to make the point to the Member, and others, that, on this occasion, they regard the petition of concern as something that is frustrating the will of the Assembly. I remind the…