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 thank Members for their important contributions to the debate. I hope to touch on all the points that have been raised, but, first, I want to recognise the victims and survivors and their families who were affected by what went on in a shameful part of our past. Before we came back into the Chamber this afternoon,…
The cruelty meted out by mother-and-baby institutions is really difficult to comprehend. I commend all those who have spoken out and those who are here today. The reality is that women across the North were kept prisoners in secretive institutions that were largely controlled by religious orders. The Church and state…
I welcome the legislation that has finally been laid before the Assembly. Women and adoptees have waited too long for a public inquiry and redress, so this is a welcome day. That is not to say that the legislation is perfect, and there will be opportunity to make changes. I note specifically the arbitrary date of 29…
Thank you very much, Deputy Speaker. While Members find it somewhat frustrating when they are talking about a topic and have to break mid-speech, the next section of my contribution has even more meaning now because, in the interim, members of the Committee for the Executive Office have received a number of emails…
As your colleague asked a number of questions, I answered what I could. As I said in answer to her, the lands that were vested were owned by the Department, so we were entitled and within the law to do the preparatory works in advance so that we could get on-site as soon as the judgement was made.
Minister, further to Mrs Dodds's question on the preliminary works that have commenced, which you did not answer, did your predecessor, John O'Dowd, give ministerial direction for those works to commence, and did he get sign-off from the permanent secretary?
Mr Speaker, I am sure that it must be difficult for you to hear all the abuse of the Bill that you had to introduce and publicly welcome in the press. Of course, our thoughts must be with the families of those affected, but, given that the further delays may cause further deaths, if incompetence is found in your…
I thank the Member for his suggestion. As with any existing road, it is important that we continue to look at all road safety measures, so they are continually being monitored. On the A5 specifically, it is clear that the only option is to build the new road. That is the only way that we will tackle the key issues…
Minister, will your Department consider other road safety measures on the existing road, namely speed limits, lines, barriers and overtaking lanes, which might help in the meantime?
As I said earlier, I have already met officials and asked them to provide a report on the outcome of the judgement and, in conjunction with the legal team, an analysis of what it means. Once I have considered that, we will look at the next steps, but, for now, my focus is on getting this done.
Minister, you reported this morning that you had commissioned a report on shortcomings in Northern Ireland Water. Will you carry out a similar exercise in your Department if you identify any internal failures in its preparation for the legal challenge?
Absolutely. Once we get a handle on what the judgement means, we will have to look at the learning and how that will impact on other projects. It is unfortunate that Members are quick to write off infrastructure projects. From what I have seen, I do not think that the problem it is insurmountable; we can remedy this.…
My thoughts are with all those who are concerned by the judgement. Minister, my constituents in North Belfast are also concerned by the judgement, in which the judge makes clear that other infrastructure projects may have to be sacrificed. The York Street interchange project, which has been continually delayed, is a…
Absolutely. I am happy to come to the House before then, if required, but, as I said, I want to ensure that we consider the analysis thoroughly. It is important that we get absolute clarity on what is required, what the options are and how we can move forward at the quickest pace possible. It is also important that we…
Like the Minister, my thoughts are with the families. We are about to go into recess. The Minister talked about moving forward quickly, getting the analysis and taking time to consider it. The Department will have time to do so over the next two months. Will she commit to coming back to the House in September with an…
One could be forgiven for forgetting that the SDLP held the post of Minister for Infrastructure in the previous mandate. There is a complete absence of memory. I will not, however, get caught up in point-scoring on something as critical as the A5 scheme. The behaviour of some Members is disgraceful. Everyone in the…
This is the third time that Sinn Féin has failed the A5 project. Minister Murphy did not provide the necessary information or comply with the EU habitats directive, which resulted in a successful legal challenge. In 2017, Sinn Féin walked out of government for three years, and the A5 could not proceed, again as the…
As I said, it is too early to say what the outcome of the judgement is. It is important that we get the analysis and then make a call on what has to happen next. It is very clear that the DUP and others are trying to suggest that we cannot have both the A5 and the Climate Change Act. We absolutely can.
Last December, the Sinn Féin Member for West Tyrone Nicola Brogan spoke passionately in the Chamber in favour of the interim climate targets and the draft carbon budgets that the Alliance Environment Minister proposed. Indeed, she stated: "the Climate Change Act is one of the most important Bills that we have passed…
Well, the net zero fanatics in the House were warned about the dangers that their Climate Change Act posed, but they chose not to listen. Will the Minister assure the House that no attempts will be made by either her or her Department to exempt the A5 from the Climate Change Act? Does she agree that, in order to move…
I am not aware of any reasons why the A1 scheme cannot go ahead. As I said, we need to get a clear understanding of what the judgement means. I will get a detailed analysis in the coming days, as I have asked officials to provide me with one. At this point, however, it is impossible to point to implications for other…