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 5674514

Text

I thank the Member for giving way. I agree with a lot of what he has said. On your point about the Executive, I will raise a constructive concern.
I have a worry, which I hope that others across the Chamber, including yourself, will have picked up on, about the fact that this potentially gives the DUP a break and gives parties an opt-out clause to say that they do not agree to regional balance and that they want to opt out and not deliver on it. Over the past number of years, under Sinn Féin Ministers, we have been able to achieve so much progress on regional balance, and other Ministers are doing that to a certain extent. Do you not agree that there is a limitation in the Bill — hopefully one that we can work through at Committee and in the House — in that putting that responsibility on the Executive rather than on Ministers gives parties the opportunity to just opt out and for there to be regressive action rather than progressive action?

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

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