Debate contribution: Defence Growth Deal
Debate contribution by Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly on .
- MLA
- Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 11 May 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Defence Growth Deal
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5523790
Read the official Assembly record
Text
You asked me whether I have concerns. I know who has concerns: the people of Ukraine when they see Russia roll tanks over their border and try to kill their citizens; the people of Ukraine when they see drones trying to kill them; the people of Poland; and the people of Latvia. Every single day, those countries feel the threat of conflict, once again, on their very doorstep. I know who is really worried: those who see the cyberattacks that are designed to bring people on to the streets in democracies and destabilise the very heart of what we are and what we try to do in democratic Parliaments. We should be concerned about that. Countries invest in defence because those threats are real. While his party may not stand up to defend Northern Ireland citizens who feel those threats — his citizens and that party's citizens — I will. We cannot defend our citizens and support those who are under real and genuine threat with just best wishes; we have to support actions that will bring real benefit and support and provide defence on the ground and in cyberspace.
190 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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