All of Mr Philip McGuigan’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
I find it difficult to disagree with a lot of what Mr O'Toole said. He talked about people waking up during the night and gambling on their phone and about the protections in legislation that are needed to prevent them from doing so. Unfortunately, many studies have shown that, for many, gaming machines are the…
The Executive have, in the past year, quite rightly identified childcare as a priority issue, and commitments in the Budget and the Programme for Government have demonstrated the desire to work collaboratively in the best interests of children, parents and our economy. Whilst it is clear that the Department and…
In the First Minister's response, she talked about exploring what is good for our economy. Last week, the Economic and Social Research Institute published a report that looked at a new economic model for the North. Does the First Minister welcome that report?
Motion Amendment · Private Members' Motion · to “Unlocking Funding for Childcare Providers”
Unlocking Funding for Childcare Providers - Amendment 2 Leave out all after ‘business support scheme for childcare providers;’ and insert: ‘and calls on the Minister for the Economy and the Minister of Education to ensure their Departments are working constructively and in tandem to support struggling providers,…
I rise to voice my concerns about the introduction of the electronic travel authorisation (ETA), an unnecessary barrier to travel by visitors to this island that is being imposed upon us by the British Government. The ETA requirement will mean that all non-European travellers will have to apply and pay for a digital…
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, given the projected increase in inheritance tax liabilities for farmers due to changes in Agricultural Property Relief from April 2026, what steps his Department is taking to support farmers.
The Member said that he is a proud Northern Irish man, but his concerns seem to be about businesses in GB. How does he react to businesses in the North when we look at the export statistics published by HMRC that show that Scotland was down 13%, England was down 4·5% and Wales was down 9% from June 2023 to June 2024,…
I beg to move Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), in a report analysing the impact of Brexit, concluded that the post-Brexit relationship between Britain and the EU: "will reduce long-run productivity by 4 per cent relative to remaining in the EU." It stated: "Both…
I thank the Minister and welcome her statement and, additional to that, the fact that she intends to carry out a review of the cost of doing business here. In the Minister's discussions with businesses, today and previously, what has she heard from them about the impact of the increased employers' National Insurance…
I thank the Minister for his response. The Minister will know that gambling-related harm is not officially recognised as a public health issue. Does the Minister agree that it should be recognised officially as a public health issue in the North?
Go raibh maith agat, a Aire. I thank the First Minister for that statement. It is positive to hear that progress is being made. Further to her answer, can she give a timeline for the recruitment process for the three bodies and indicate when commissioners will be appointed?
Mr McGuigan asked the Minister of Health whether he agrees with the World Health Organization's statement, which was published on 2 December, that "universal, population-wide public health approaches are required to prevent gambling-related harm."
This Saturday, 7 December, is Small Business Saturday. The initiative, now in its twelfth year, aims to encourage people to visit their local town centres and support local traders and businesses. Essentially, it is to encourage people to shop and trade locally and to support the many micro and small businesses across…
Democratic Consent Resolution That Articles 5 to 10 of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland to the EU withdrawal agreement should continue to apply during the new continuation period (within the meaning of Schedule 6A to the Northern Ireland Act 1998).
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide an update on the appointment of Commissioners under the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022.
I thank the Minister. The all-party group on gambling harm will certainly respond to that. Further to my first question, Minister, the initial code of practice refers to the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements Order 1985. However, it seems that no one has taken responsibility for the monitoring, compliance and…
Mr McGuigan asked the Minister for Communities, given that the initial gambling code of practice that is currently out for public consultation makes no reference to who is responsible for monitoring compliance with the code, to confirm who will be responsible for that.