Every imported question, contribution and motion, with its classification. Unflagged, uncertain and not-yet-analysed records are all included so the analysis can be checked independently.
I welcome the Minister's statement earlier, what she has said in answering the question and last week's announcement about the new renewables scheme. However, it is all developer-led. I have repeatedly asked for a Department plan to link all of that together to give confidence that we will move forward in a way that…
I thank the Member for his question. As I indicated in my responses earlier, the scheme itself is expected to cost up to £196 million AME over the 10 years, and then there is a departmental expenditure limit (DEL) resource cost alongside. That frees up approximately £100 million AME that, once the scheme has been…
Obviously, my question was a wee bit outdated, given the Minister's statement this morning. Nonetheless, I welcome progress. Even though this may have been covered, Minister, when might a replacement scheme be in place, and how much annually managed expenditure (AME) funding will be available for it?
I thank the Member for his question. Earlier today, I announced the proposed way forward on RHI, following Executive approval on 18 September. My Department will now act swiftly to launch a public consultation and introduce the necessary legislation and regulations to give participants a tariff uplift for the coming…
Builders and those who provide home improvement services need to comply with a significant number of consumer protection laws. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, consumers who enter into a contract for goods and services can expect those to be supplied with reasonable care and skill. That applies to all traders,…
The Department's Trading Standards Service delivers consumer protection and enforcement on the ground. It delivers a front-line public protection function for the benefit of our consumers, businesses and the wider economy. That function comprises the twin aims of protecting consumers, particularly the most vulnerable,…
I thank the Minister for her response. A large volume of complaints are received each year by the Trading Standards Service. Will the Minister give her assessment of the effectiveness of the Trading Standards Service? How many of those complaints resulted in prosecution?
My Department’s Trading Standards Service has received the following number of consumer complaints in each of the last five years: in 2020, 10,583; in 2021, 9,799; in 2022, 12,708; in 2023, 12,622; in 2024, 10,817; and, to date in 2025, 6,962.
We are working our way through the legislative process at the moment. The unique aspect of the scheme is that there will be two payments: one upfront payment and a payment that will come at a later stage after the public inquiry. That is unique compared with any other scheme, because it includes that first payment. It…
Our work on that is ongoing. The Committee for the Executive Office is working its way through the legislation. It is a huge area, and we want to get it right. We are determined to do everything that we can to support all victims and survivors. I am glad to say that we are making some progress on erecting a plaque in…
It is important that we continue with all our business engagements. It is right and proper that we do so and that we have the message that we are open for business and that we are a great place in which to live, work and invest. That is our continued message when we engage with many. That is the appropriate approach…
At a vital time for that sector, the First Minister boycotted events on St Patrick's Day, boycotted the recent state banquet at Buckingham Palace and said that she was incredulous at the UK Government's recent investment in the sector. Does she think that that behaviour assists businesses to grow in Northern Ireland?
Dual market access is a prize that we need to grab together. The fact that we have access to both markets makes us the envy of many other places; in fact, there are companies that have, of late, pointed to dual market access contributing to their growth. That is positive. The Murphy report, which was published last…
I totally agree that there is so much more to do in order to build on the huge strides forward and allow the language to grow. There are so many children being educated through the medium of Irish today. They want to see their language and to hear their language in the community in which they live. That ongoing…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chéad-Aire as an fhreagra sin. I think that the First Minister has already alluded to this, but will she do everything that she can to continue to commit to supporting the development of the Irish language? There is much more to do.
Maith sibh. It was really heartening to see the huge crowds in Dublin at the weekend. It shows the vibrancy of the Irish language community. Taking to the streets to march for equality and fairness across the board is a testament to the strength and the energetic revival of the Irish language here. Gaelic continues to…
Being victim- and survivor-centred will be key to its success; I absolutely agree with you. However, the British Government chose to launch the framework jointly with the Irish Government last Friday. We see the framework, but there is then a period between that and seeing what the legislative text looks like in terms…
Thank you for the answer. I am slightly concerned now. I would have imagined that, given that you, the deputy First Minister and the Executive Office created the victims and survivors strategy 2024-2034, you would have had sight of what the legislation will state and, therefore, would have been able to say, "This…
As I said earlier, the framework was published only on Friday, so we do not yet understand what the legislative text looks like. We need to understand that. There will, of course, be a role for the Victims and Survivors Service in supporting all victims and survivors. We cannot engage on what the remit of the body is…
I will have to help you out with a wee biology lesson. I was born a biological baby girl; I grew into a teenager; and I am now a fully fledged woman. There are also trans women in our community. If women can be supportive and inclusive of trans women, you should also. However, I fear, as the trans community fears,…
At the weekend, the DUP leader rightly attacked those who refuse to accept biological reality, yet you head a Department alongside Mrs Little-Pengelly that retains its links with the discredited Stonewall organisation. Stonewall believes that a woman can have a penis. First Minister, once again, do you believe that?
That is absolutely ridiculous, and you are making a show of yourself. You are fascinated with the definition of a woman, and I think that that says a lot about you.