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 Minister for his very welcome update. Minister, will you give us a bit more detail on the PEACE PLUS funds for the Shared Learning Together programme and the cross-border element? Will you also give us an update on the quantum of money available for shared education projects in Northern Ireland?
Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank the proposer of the motion and the Member from the Audit Committee for their contributions. Given the recent debate on the Executive's expenditure proposals for 2024-25 and in the context of the significant wider public-sector budget constraints, it is crucial that…
I will start by associating myself with your comments, Mr Speaker, and those of Mrs Linda Dillon in expressing my and my party's condolences to the wider Gildernew family on the tragic death of 21-year-old Fiachra — if that is how you pronounce his name; I am trying my best. Our thoughts are with his family. Sadly, at…
The Member has nearly run out of time, and he said that he would give way. The Member mentioned uncosted pressures, but the Alliance Party has brought multiple motions to the Floor about the increasing cost of health provision. Can the Member produce the Alliance Party's costed options for those motions?
I hope that you will not take those five seconds off my time, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am lucky that it was not my phone. I will just make sure that mine is on silent. Before I begin, I want to recognise something that happened in the Chamber in relation to the motion. We saw a rare moment of genuine cross-party…
One of the pressures is that any new build is much too expensive. There is a loss of skills, which the Minister will know. I just want to get an undertaking from him that he understands the value of the thatched properties that we have and the fact that they are disappearing at an alarming rate. Would the Minister…
People with a disability face challenges with accessibility. Last week, the Minister announced the intermediate-rent scheme. How many of the 300 properties that he mentioned last week have been assessed for disability access and will be available to people with a disability?
I think that the answer to that question is that there have been no talks at this point. If there are no markings on the road, it is for the police to uphold that. It is a serious public safety issue. Given the impact on people with prams and the disabled, will the Minister give an undertaking to address the issue…
Mr Butler asked the Minister for Communities whether he has discussed with the Minister for Instructure the planning limitations and restrictions associated with thatched properties, which can put an unnecessary burden on owners, given that he will be aware of questions for written answer that have been submitted to…
Mr Butler asked the Minister of Justice for an update on any talks that she has had with the Minister for Infrastructure or his Department on obstructive pavement parking.
Junior Doctors’ Pay - Amendment 1 Remove all after ‘health system in Northern Ireland’ and insert: ‘accepts that making junior doctor pay comparisons across the UK is misleading given the variable contracts in place which, in the instance of junior doctors locally, equates to lower basic rates of pay but higher…
Strengthening Northern Ireland’s Defence Industries - Amendment 1 Leave out from ‘welcomes’ to ‘Paper’ and insert: ‘promotes defence and security levelling up in line with the UK Government’s announcement of an extra £75 billion increase in defence spending over five years with the aim of increasing Northern Ireland’s…
Northern Ireland Assembly Commission Budget for the Financial Year 2024-25 That this Assembly notes the report of the Audit Committee (NIA 17/22-27) on the scrutiny of the Assembly Commission’s budget for the financial year 2024-25, as laid before the Assembly on 9 April 2024; and agrees the Assembly Commission’s…
I thank the Minister for his statement. It is a good statement. I do not profess to be an expert in all things agriculture, but I am the mental health spokesperson for the Ulster Unionist Party. Since 2016, in any debate that we have had in the Chamber on mental health and well-being, farmers and their families have…
Before I start, I welcome Andrew McMurray, who made his maiden speech today. Andrew, I was going to say that you have big boots to fill, but you have big, long legs to follow in former MLA Paddy Brown, so I wish you good luck, and I enjoyed your speech. Forgive me for not including more contributions, Madam Principal…
The reinstatement of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland was a significant achievement that marked a critical moment in this region's journey towards stability and progress. As the Assembly commemorates the first 100 days since that milestone, it is imperative that we acknowledge the strides that we have…
Motion Amendment · Private Members' Motion · to “Extreme Pressures in Primary Care”
Extreme Pressures in Primary Care - Amendment 2 Leave out all after ‘regrets’ and insert: ‘that for too long the number of local GP training places was inadequate and welcomes the previous and ongoing decision of the Minister of Health to increase them; believes that repeated political impasse and the regular absence…
Motion Amendment · Private Members' Motion · to “Devolution of VAT for Hospitality”
Devolution of VAT for Hospitality - Amendment 2 Leave out all after ‘cost increases’ and insert: ‘further notes the pressures on the construction industry; and calls on the Minister of Finance, Minister for the Economy and Minister for Communities to bring forward a package of costed interventions, including support…
To ask the Minister for Communities to outline his Department's plans to further develop disability-friendly social housing for new builds and existing housing stock.