Debate contribution: Energy Crisis

Debate contribution by Mr Matthew O'Toole on 13 April 2026.

MLA: Mr Matthew O'Toole
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 13 April 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Energy Crisis
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5483345

Text

Deputy First Minister, I did not hear a single specific action that the Executive have led on. I will leave aside for one second the irony of your listing all the people affected when you and your colleagues flew over to Washington to plámás and flatter the man who caused the crisis in the first place with his reckless war. Deputy First Minister, you said that the primary responsibility lies with the UK Government. You are right about that in relation to fuel duty and things of that nature. The Opposition agree with the Executive on that. However, I refer to actions such as spending the £17 million of support money, engaging with farmers and small businesses, delivering a reduction in transport fares and supporting domiciliary care workers with the pressures that they face in getting around the country. That is just a short list, but all of those are specific, practical actions that you could have taken, but the Executive have done none of them. You, your party and Sinn Féin have sought to theatrically blame —

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

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Topical question AQT 2211/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

This is the same MLA’s follow-up within the exchange on their own question. It is analysed together with that question and is not counted separately, so one question is never counted twice.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification