Debate contribution: Regional Balance Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Pádraig Delargy on 8 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Pádraig Delargy
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 8 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Regional Balance Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5674344

Text

I thank the Member for giving way. I have two points to make. First, we are talking about Belfast in a very generic sense. I very much recognise that there are areas in Belfast that do not get the investment that they need and that have historically not got the investment that they need, particularly North Belfast, which is the Member's constituency, and West Belfast. There has been clear and demonstrable evidence in the Department for the Economy, particularly over the past three years, that there is increasing investment into and prioritisation of those areas. My other point is on the position of the DUP's Department for Communities. One of the critical ways in which we were able to support councils and areas across the North was by supporting councils that had a lower rates base by ensuring that those councils and the communities and ratepayers within them were supported. The grant that did that was taken away by the DUP and has not been properly restored. As we are talking about how communities will benefit properly from this legislation and about creating economic parity, do you have a position on whether the DUP will actually support councils?
It is your

201 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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