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We have to continually keep under review the role played by all our offices. I certainly want to do that as part of our international strategy. For me, the role of any of our offices is threefold. It has to be about diplomacy, advancing diplomatic relationships and building relationships. That is important if we are…
First Minister, there are two other offices apart from the one in Washington. There is a bureau in Brussels and one in Beijing. What is your office doing to demonstrate that we are getting value for money from each of those offices? Undoubtedly, you will be aware of the fact that, at a recent meeting of the Executive…
Yes, I believe that we should continue to engage in that way. That has always been my approach. That is why we were in North Carolina recently and why the deputy First Minister went to Washington. We have to take all opportunities to grow our economy, not least the opportunity that the North American market provides…
We are doing a double act. I note the First Minister's answer. I hope that it is fair to say that she sees the United States of America as an important partner for Northern Ireland when it comes to economic development and cultural ties. Therefore, will she commit to engaging with the current Administration in order…
Yes. Thanks for that. As I said and as the Member noted, the increasingly volatile world that we live in — a lot of global uncertainty; the tariff wars that do not benefit us at all — presents real challenges, worry and uncertainty for businesses. If we know anything about business, it is that it likes certainty and…
We live in an increasingly uncertain world, which provides economic challenges. Does the First Minister agree that we need the Executive to focus on growing our economy and maintaining linkages with key international partners?
Thanks for that. We need to take every opportunity, particularly in the ever-changing global climate that we now live in. We will definitely consider expanding our reach as part of our international strategy. We have to continually look towards new markets and new opportunities. Our businesses are innovative — they…
I thank the First Minister for her answer. I too commend the work of the Northern Ireland Bureau. One important role that it has is, as you said, First Minister, to liaise with Invest NI and councils to help our entrepreneurs and our manufacturing sector to get opportunities in America that they may not otherwise have…
The deputy First Minister and I have experienced at first hand the important work of the bureau in the US and Canada. The team of five staff works closely with Invest NI, Tourism Ireland and a range of partners, including universities, to support the Programme for Government by highlighting the opportunity that we…
Physical infrastructure in colleges is being addressed, and I set that out in my initial statement. It is one of the actions that can be taken quickly in order to help to support people with disabilities, including young people and people of all ages, while they are at college. Following the announcements that I made,…
I thank the Minister for that answer. I appreciate that, Minister. I would like to get a sense of whether that evaluation will include physical infrastructure, as I have been contacted by parents who say that physical infrastructure is also a problem in some of the colleges. Research also highlights issues on which…
In order to improve that provision, my Department has commissioned the Education and Training Inspectorate to undertake an evaluation of the current provision in FE colleges. That work is under way, with the report expected in the autumn. I have also asked officials to develop a statutory assessment and support model…
My departmental officials work closely with DAERA officials on that area. We have had the opportunity to meet some businesses with a real interest in it and that have some sound proposals on a way forward that would utilise, as the Member said, the energy from not only anaerobic digestion but the other things that…
I thank the Minister for her answer and her interest in the matter. She is obviously over the details of biomethane, but there is also an opportunity to generate energy with AD. Does the Minister's Department have enough capacity to match the output from DAERA in that, and can there be co-design between them to ensure…
I thank the Member for his question. That is an area of the Department's work that continues to be under policy development. We have established a pathfinder group to look at the development of biomethane policy. We are working through the first stages of that and are gathering evidence and information. We will bring…
I absolutely agree. I had the pleasure of attending the Tradfest launch and referenced it at the world's biggest tourism conference in Berlin. During that conference, countries from across the world host events to sell their tourist offerings to tour operators. The competition to attract interest is fierce. In Berlin,…
I thank the Minister for her response. I also note that the Minister recently launched Belfast Tradfest. Does she agree that traditional music is a very big draw for international tourists?
I thank the Member for her question. I agree that St Mary's and Stranmillis are both excellent institutions, and I am determined to secure their long-term sustainability. I am finalising the terms of reference for the higher education funding review, and St Mary's and Stranmillis will be considered within that. The…
The Utility Regulator consulted on the issue in 2023, setting out proposals for guaranteed standards of service for electricity suppliers and the level of compensatory payments and asked respondents to comment on them. Those proposals included the introduction of a guaranteed standard of service during cases of severe…
The Minister will know that many rural areas, particularly in my constituency, were badly affected by the most recent severe weather event. What were the findings of the previous consultation on the same issue?
I thank the Member for his question. We all recognise that the impact of climate change means that we are experiencing more severe weather events, and our communities are bearing the brunt of those events. It is important that we ensure that the level of service that customers receive from their utility providers is…
First, we have given the space to the Belfast region city deal group and its partners to bring forward proposals. I am happy to engage with them as they do that, and it is important that they take the necessary time and space to consider the opportunities and options that are in front of them and how to best utilise…
Thank you, Minister. I welcome your commitment. I have been a bit frustrated with our local council, which has repeatedly diminished tourism in the Mourne Mountains and the Mournes area and has removed the name of the area from its tourism branding. The £30 million allocation through the Belfast region city deal was…