Debate contribution: Programme for Government 2024-27
Debate contribution by Ms Diana Armstrong on .
- MLA
- Ms Diana Armstrong
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 3 March 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Executive Committee Business
- Heading
- Programme for Government 2024-27
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4825786
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the First Minister and deputy First Minister for bringing the motion to the House. Many of us across the House understand the significance of the Programme for Government and the importance that it has in our role as legislators working hard to bring positive change to all our constituents and communities across Northern Ireland. There can be no doubt in anyone's mind, however, that the ambition and the commitments in the Programme for Government are not reflected in the Budget. I am concerned that many of the commitments may not be delivered, especially without adequate resources and long-term strategic financing through multi-year Budgets. That said, as my party's economy spokesperson and, more important, as an MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, I will add some positive commentary. The Programme for Government contains commitments and actions that are needed to deliver a competitive, productive and sustainable economy. It is essential that our economy be given the tools and opportunities to grow and prosper, and some positive avenues for delivering that are available in the Programme for Government. I particularly welcome and will watch closely developments in the apprenticeship inclusion challenge fund, the skills fund and the tourism strategic action plan. They are key areas of interest for me and will help to streamline and promote growth for the next decade. There is a growing trend of and enthusiasm for apprenticeships. More and more young people avail themselves of them, and, given that International Women's Day falls in this week, it is important to highlight the fact that more and more women avail themselves of apprenticeships and to train in sectors in which, traditionally, men were often the dominant participants. The fund is necessary to bridge the growing skills gap in Northern Ireland. Countless businesses tell me that they cannot get the skills that they need to grow. Investing in apprenticeships is an investment in our future, and I know that many colleagues feel the same. In addition, the investment in the skills fund is a welcome commitment and will be the spearhead that is needed to deliver the skills needed to boost the economy and tackle low productivity by upskilling and reskilling the workforce, particularly women returners. The competitive nature of the jobs market and continued demand for specialisation and skills hold many businesses back from expansion, as the workforce simply is not there. As many of you may know, a passion of mine is the tourism sector. Growing up in and being a representative for the Fermanagh lakelands, I feel passionate about the forward-looking face of tourism and how pivotal it is in demonstrating all that is good about our country. That is why it is hugely welcome to see it highlighted in the Programme for Government, with an investment of £1·3 billion to stimulate regeneration and tourism across Northern Ireland. That follows the publication last month of the tourism strategic action plan. The Programme for Government represents a positive step forward in outlining the Executive's commitments. However, we must start to see delivery of and accountability for those commitments and, importantly, a Budget framework that matches the targets.
521 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.03 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- Assessed as legitimate policy scrutiny (0.89).
- No identity-based framing was identified (1.00).
- Subject area: Sexism, misogyny, ageism and other equality groups.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.03 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.02 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.02 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.02 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.02 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.89 | Yes |
| Overall judgement | 0.03 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 1.00 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.00 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Sexism, misogyny, ageism and other equality groups | 0.75 |
| Gender, sexuality, abortion and related social issues | 0.24 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.01 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:03 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
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