All of Mr Robbie Butler’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
I thank the Member for bringing the debate to the Chamber, even if it is brief. The proposed UK immigration reforms have sparked strong opinions already, but any honest discussion of them must begin by recognising the devolved nature of governance. While immigration policy is reserved to Westminster, its consequences…
Mr Butler asked the Minister for the Economy, returning to the 'good jobs' employment rights Bill, what the ambition is for increasing the number of disabled people in our workforce.
I rise to mark the beginning of ME Awareness Week and highlight the ongoing, often invisible, suffering of those living with myalgic encephalomyelitis. That complex and debilitating neurological condition affects thousands across Northern Ireland but remains chronically under-recognised and, in some cases, underserved…
On behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, I echo all the words of sympathy and support that have been offered in the Chamber, and I thank the Member for tabling this very important matter for discussion this morning. When we look at the faces of those two young boys, we cannot help but associate them with our own family…
I thank the Member for tabling the Matter of the Day, because it is of deep consequence, and it should be of deep consequence to every one of us. When we think back to the actions of the past couple of years in the Middle East, particularly in Israel and Palestine, if you are not moved, angered, disappointed and, at…
To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) what progress has been made on the development of a community rehabilitation framework for Northern Ireland; and (ii) whether consideration has been given to the establishment of a rehabilitation lead within his Department to take this work forward.
To ask the Minister of Finance why results have been delayed for the Northern Ireland Civil Service Administrative Officer recruitment competition, which opened in August 2024.
To ask the Minister of Finance to detail when applicants to the Northern Ireland Civil Service Administrative Officer recruitment competition, which opened in August 2024, may reasonably expect to receive notification of the outcome of their applications.
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on the draft wildfire risk management strategy plan created for the Clogher area, which was recently subject to extensive wildfire damage.
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail the recorded levels of dissolved inorganic nitrogen in water quality analysis of Lough Neagh in each year from 2020 to 2025.
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the total number of annually commissioned training places across the health and social care service for 2025-26.
To ask the Minister of Finance to outline any engagement and planning his Department undertook with local council officials regarding the relaunch of the Back in Business rate relief scheme.
Like the previous Member to speak, I am a representative for Lagan Valley, but I speak on behalf of John Stewart, our infrastructure spokesperson. Belfast is our capital city, and it is a beautiful city. I did not really look up at its beautiful buildings or recognise its lovely streets until I was in probably my 30s…
I thank the Member for giving way. Does he agree that people with disabilities and those who are in wheelchairs have to pick their routes very carefully? One of the challenges in this case is that because of the disadvantageous parking of traffic and delivery vehicles, which, for the traders, are really important, our…
I sense that quite a bit of emotion and history is tied up in the issue. I acknowledge that, because, as we know, in this little place that I call home, Northern Ireland, identity matters, and people across these islands feel connected in many different ways. We have to be clear at the start of the debate that…
Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I may not use the 10 minutes. I will take the opportunity to thank each and every Member who spoke in the debate. We are definitely a nation of dog lovers. That was evident from those who spoke in this very important debate. They spoke with humanity and compassion that,…
I thank the Minister for recognising that uptake of the scheme has reduced. The dairy industry and, indeed, the scheme suffer from insidious advertising by groups such as Viva!, one of the leading vegan charities, which launched a video entitled 'Dairy is Scary'. Will the Minister join me in condemning such…
To ask the Minister of Education to outline the reasons for the high number of children left without a pre-school placement for September 2025 in Lagan Valley, at the first point of allocation.
I thank the Minister for her answer. I will not take the ball that wants to be hit there and go full Father Ted, because it is an important topic. Since I tabled the question, there have been a number of break-ins and burglaries in Lagan Valley in and around Hillsborough. I also know that it is a seasonal occurrence.…
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, pursuant to AQW 20398/22-27, which stated that increasing the area of forests and woodlands from the current 8.6 per cent of land area to 12 per cent by 2050 is a key focus for his Department, and given the March 2025 DAERA Corporate Plan 2025–2027…
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail the number of hectares of new woodland (i) issued with letters of offer under (a) the Forest Expansion Scheme; and (b) the Small Woodland Grant Scheme during the 2024-25 planting season; and (ii) planted during the 2024-25 planting season.
I will let you off with that one, Mr Speaker. Thank you very much. I thank the First Minister for her answer. She will, I am sure, agree with me that businesses have had to bear, through the Windsor framework, the pressures of Brexit and getting their duties paid back through the HMRC reimbursement scheme and the…
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for convening this very important moment in the Assembly. I do not think that there are many in Northern Ireland or across the world who will not remember Pope Francis with deep gratitude. I will always be thankful for his visit to Dublin in 2018 and the chance that I had to attend the World…
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs how preventing the replacement or upgrade of existing facilities where such development would reduce emissions and improve habitats is consistent with the Biodiversity Duty under the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, given…
To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 25502/22-27, to detail any plans to develop a portal that displays the status for school enrolment figures against actual enrolment in real-time, to assist parents and carers navigate school admission applications.