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.
The Member will be aware that the final draft is under consideration at the moment. Officials have undertaken quite a significant task to make sure that there is maximum buy-in and that views have been taken on the specific wording. Although the wording will not reflect exactly what everybody wants, because that is…
I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. That is welcome progress. Can she provide reassurance that the most recent draft has the full backing of groups of victims and survivors?
We know how important the memorial plaque is, which is why officials have engaged extensively with victims and survivors in recent months to ensure that they heard a wide range of opinions on the wording. Draft options were shared with representative groups and individuals not affiliated with any group, as well as…
The Member is absolutely right. Some companies do not supply Northern Ireland because they do not understand the system. Some companies try to ask for various company numbers or are looking for processes that are not needed. I get it all the time from people who contact me. It takes a bit of time, but they can…
Despite the commitments from the British Government to raise awareness and provide training for companies in GB supplying Northern Ireland, many companies are now telling businesses here that they are simply not willing to supply Northern Ireland, because, in their opinion, it is just too much hassle. That is having a…
As indicated, there will be a range of views on the issue, but I appeal to people to look at the facts, to listen to companies, to listen to what people are facing and to look at what the UK Government promised and at what promises they are not fulfilling. There are real challenges for businesses. It is correct to say…
On 28 May, an official told the Executive Office Committee that regulatory divergence from GB was no longer an issue. Deputy First Minister, given the motion that your party colleagues have brought to the Chamber today, do you hold the same view as your official? What does it say about the Executive Office's desire to…
At this stage, there is no evidence of any benefit from dual market access, and we continue to tackle the huge bureaucracy that it has brought to internal UK trade. There are, of course, different views on the issue in the Executive Office. I have asked for evidence of any benefit of dual market access: I have…
The recently published 'Independent Review of the Windsor Framework' notes that one of the most obvious benefits that can be attributed to the Windsor framework is dual market access. Does the deputy First Minister agree that we need to see the implementation that both the British Government and the Executive continue…
I thank the Member for his supplementary question. It was absolutely a missed opportunity, which was deeply disappointing but, alas, perhaps not surprising. Our businesses face huge issues. I caught the end of the previous debate as I came into the Chamber for Question Time, and I was dismayed to hear those issues…
As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that our circumstances are understood and appropriately reflected in policy and strategic decision-making within the UK internal market, we continue to engage with the UK Government across a range of forums. Those representations have been made at meetings of the Prime…
I thank the Member for her important point. I reiterate that we absolutely acknowledge the disappointment that has been expressed. There are others who are not so disappointed, but we understand that there is a range of views. We have to make sure that whatever we do is fit for purpose and meets the needs of the…
I reiterate the point about the arbitrary nature of the date for posthumous claims. Victims and survivors need to be listened to with respect and dignity, and it is totally disrespectful to victims and survivors that that date still stands.
I thank the Member for that important question. The public inquiry will tease out some of those issues, but, if the Member wishes to write to the office, we will ensure that he receives a full response.
I thank the junior Minister for the way the Bill is progressing. Has she or her civil servants had an opportunity to reflect on the recent television documentary that set out the situation in England regarding mother-and-baby homes? The lack of an apology from the United Kingdom Government means that we are at least a…
I thank the Member for that important question. Yes, of course, we acknowledge that some victims and survivors were disappointed by the proposed 2011 posthumous date in the Bill. We are actively listening to their concerns, and we also welcome the Committee's views. There is no precedent for posthumous claims for an…
I thank the junior Minister for her response. I am sure that she will appreciate that many victims and survivors have expressed deep concerns about the posthumous date for redress, and, indeed, there are other concerns about the Bill. Will the junior Minister commit to listening to those concerns, and will she…
We are pleased that the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill passed its Second Stage before the summer recess. Ministers welcomed the opportunity to meet the Committee Chair and Deputy Chair to discuss the Bill before it entered the Committee Stage. We…
The Member will know from her role in the Committee that international engagement policy is a non-devolved area, but there is much that we can do, and we do it across a number of areas, particularly through soft diplomacy, which is about reaching out through our offices in Brussels and in DC. Of course, those offices…
I fully agree that dialogue and engagement are really important, but I continue to be concerned that we have not yet seen an international relations strategy that would underpin all types of engagement on a world stage. I would appreciate an update on that.
Absolutely. What an incredible success. The only thing that did not go to plan was that there was not a Rory win. We had a Rory McIlroy win just this weekend, however, and I extend my sincere congratulations to him for that. It did not come through for the Open, but we have a win now. The Open was a huge success. It…
In her initial response, the deputy First Minister touched on the success of the Open. It was great to see that the promotion of the north Antrim coast flowed from the Open during the summer. Will the deputy First Minister give an indication of the projected economic impact of hosting the Open and say whether there…
I will engage with the president of the United States because of the role that he holds, which is president of the United States. The US is incredibly important to Northern Ireland. I could outline many issues on which I disagreed fundamentally with previous presidents whom I have had the privilege of meeting, not…