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 the Minister for her answer. Given that numerous reports, including from the World Health Organization, have found no evidence of adverse health effects from 5G masts, will the Minister go further and call on those who can assist the police to bring those responsible for those attacks to justice to provide…
I thank the Member for his question. He will, of course, know that, in the Adjournment debate, I unreservedly condemned those actions. I think that there is no place for them. They are damaging infrastructure and are having an impact on local communities, on businesses and on people's everyday life. As the Member will…
I thank the Member for his question. Support for skills — skills in general — is a key priority for my Department, particularly in respect of apprenticeships and key trades to support the priority sectors that we have talked about this morning, one of which is advanced manufacturing, which, clearly, Spirit falls…
Thank you, Minister. I am grateful to hear that you met the unions this morning. An important part of all that is skills. What update can you give the House today on how your Department is helping to deliver the skills that Spirit AeroSystems needs to fulfil its work and grow as a business and a globally recognised…
I thank the Member for his question. As recently as this morning, I met trade union representatives from Spirit, along with the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and I have given them assurances of my support in ensuring that we protect those jobs. I have been engaging with everybody whom you would expect me…
I thank the Member for her question. I am not sure that I have had any discussions with the Agriculture Minister in relation to the nutrients action programme, and I am not sure that the previous Minister had any before I was in position. I am sure that officials across Departments have been engaging, as they do on a…
I thank the Minister for her answer. What discussions has the Minister had with the Agriculture Minister in the development of the nutrients action programme 2026-29 consultation, given the potential impact on rural jobs and the fact that potential solutions are being developed as a consequence of work in her…
I thank the Member for her question. The Department is working on a number of biomethane actions as part of the 2025 energy strategy action plan. That work includes progressing action 6, which will support the sustainability of biomethane being utilised in the gas network. Key areas of focus include progressing…
I thank the Member for his question. I certainly believe that the all-island economy has tremendous unrealised potential. Collaboration and trade are key to the growth of our economy. I am pleased to welcome and support The Competitiveness Institute's prominent global conference later this year, which will promote…
Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, will you outline your approach to clusters more generally, including how it relates to all-Ireland clusters?
I was really pleased to have the opportunity to meet the representatives of the Border Region Manufacturing Cluster when they visited last week. I know that they also met representatives of the Economy Committee. At our meeting, they shared a policy paper with us, which was entitled 'Strengthening Regional Resilience…
I thank the Member for her supplementary question. I expect to receive the draft terms of reference for the review of higher education in the very near future. That will, of course, will be shared with the Economy Committee after I have taken decisions on it. We all recognise that we face a really constrained…
Thank you, Minister, for your answer. I acknowledge and welcome the fact that you sided with the SDLP in opposing the raising of tuition fees. However, that stance alone will not solve the underlying financial crisis that faces our universities. When will you finally publish the overdue higher education funding…
I thank the Member for her question. I am not sure whether I have the information about the budget allocations in front of me, but I would be happy to share it with the Member in written correspondence. I understand that we provided the Committee with figures on student places for the incoming academic year, but I can…
As I stated previously, officials in my Department have commenced work in that area. We recognise the importance of and urgency in seizing the opportunities that come with AI, but it is equally important that we implement the right policies and actions to ensure that AI is adopted in a way that delivers maximum value…
Thank you, Minister, for that response. It is important that we have cross-sectoral engagement on the matter. Are you confident that the AI strategy will be delivered this year?
My Department is developing AI policy to maximise the benefits of the technology for our people and our businesses. That work will build on existing initiatives such as the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC) to ensure that our workforce is equipped to utilise AI; that businesses can adopt it safely;…
The intent of the Bill is to give the Utility Regulator powers over decarbonisation as one of the considerations in respect of investment. The Bill will therefore be really important in supporting us to meet our targets for renewable electricity and our climate obligations. As I said in my answer, along with that…
I thank the Minister for her response. Minister, it is your Department's responsibility to ensure that we reach 80% of electricity from renewables by 2030. Can you assure the House that changes to the role or remit of the Utility Regulator will support the delivery of "80 by 30"?
I assume that the Member is referring to the Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill. The draft Bill, which was developed in conjunction with the regulator, has been subject to a public consultation, the results of which have been shared with the Committee for the Economy and published on my…
Local economic partnerships are part of the drive towards regional balance. Alongside that, we have three other priorities in the Department: the creation of good jobs; improving productivity; and decarbonisation. We have identified seven priority sectors, which the Member referred to as "high-growth, high-potential…
The Minister talked about local-level priorities. How is she ensuring that strategically important and high-growth sectors in my Strangford constituency and across Northern Ireland are supported and developed through the work of the LEPs to achieve economic development?
Fundamentally, they are partnerships between the Department for the Economy and a range of stakeholders, and my officials have had back-and-forth with councils and other partners on issues and how best those can be resolved. My Department has provided formal and informal guidance on a range of issues, including the…
I do not agree with the Member's characterisation. The establishment of the local economic partnerships is a new approach that brings together my Department, Invest NI, councils and other key economic stakeholders in local areas. While there has been some slippage due to factors such as my Department working through…