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. The projects are almost two months behind schedule. As part of June monitoring, the Minister's Department has indicated a reduced requirement of £8·9 million in relation to the economic regional growth fund. This is the first year of that fund, and, already, she has indicated a…
Local economic partnerships are a critical part of my regional balance agenda, and I am pleased to see the progress made in setting up partnerships across the North. The majority, including Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, which met just yesterday, have met on several occasions already and begun the important…
I thank the Member for her question. My officials are considering that recently published report by Irelandia, an Irish aviation investment group. The report makes recommendations for various policy initiatives that, Irelandia contends, will strengthen the Irish aviation industry. In the first instance, I want to…
I thank the Minister for her commitment to the Derry airport. It is really welcome. What is the Minister's assessment of the recently published report, 'A Pathfinder for Irish Aviation'?
I thank the Member for his question. As he outlined, we have committed to the investment in the City of Derry Airport over the next four years. That enables the airport to plan for growth in future years. We will work with partners locally in the north-west and further afield to support the economic development of the…
I thank the Minister for that answer and for the £3 million investment in the City of Derry Airport. The SDLP has long been calling for that investment, and I am glad that it has now happened, to the benefit of her constituents and mine. Minister, you have outlined the actions by the Irish Government, and they are…
By connecting people, supporting our tourism offering and delivering economic growth, improving air connectivity to the North from within these islands and further afield has an important role to play in the delivery of my economic priorities. That is why I am investing £3 million per year in the City of Derry…
I am sure that the Member will recognise the years of uncertainty that were caused by post-Brexit negotiations and his party's position on that. I have outlined the real-world, tangible impact of dual market access, which can clearly be seen in our export performance. We see huge interest in dual market access. It is…
What the Minister is outlining is trade divergence rather than potential. The Minister has talked about "privileged, dual market access": we are now six years on from hearing of the unicorn of dual market access from the Minister and her party. Will she give one concrete example of FDI in Northern Ireland that is due…
As I said, I welcome the progress that has been made. I also welcome the fact that the British Government and the EU have recognised and are committed to maintaining our privileged, dual market access. We can see that privileged position in our recent export performance. In the year ending 2024, total exports of goods…
In her previous responses, the Minister touched on dual market access and its importance. What impact will the agreement between the EU and the British Government have on dual market access?
I agree with the Member that dual market access offers us huge potential and opportunities. There is more work to be done to communicate that to our own businesses here that are already in the position to take advantage of that and also to attract investment to create new jobs and grow our local economy. My Department…
Minister, do you agree that dual market access represents a unique and significant opportunity for businesses across our economy here? Can you tell the House specifically how you are working to develop that trading relationship for small and medium-sized businesses in Northern Ireland?
Clearly, Brexit damaged trading relationships between this island and Britain and beyond. It was a key reason why my party and others opposed Brexit. Unfortunately, we are where we are and have to deal with the consequences. We have the protocol and, now, the Windsor framework, which recognises our unique…
I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, does your Department accept the assessment that recent trade agreements still leave significant barriers for agri-food exporters in border regions? What targeted support will be provided by your Department to businesses in areas such as Newry and Armagh?
Anything with the potential to undo the harms of Brexit, smooth trade flows and reduce regulatory divergence is to be welcomed. On 19 May, broad heads of agreement were announced between the British Government and the EU. We have a significant agri-food sector, so I welcome the commitment to negotiate a sanitary and…
Tourism Ireland, as an organisation with the responsibility for marketing Ireland overseas, has a compelling holiday and business events programme. Tourism Ireland undertakes a range of activities that have a hugely positive impact on my Department's tourism policies, from the large number of marketing campaigns and…
There is certainly a key role for tourism in supporting the regeneration of our villages, towns and cities. I recently established local economic partnerships across all our council areas so that local areas can develop their economic plans and visions for themselves. Tourism NI and other partners can be involved in…
I thank the Minister for her comprehensive answer. As she has said, for the economy to fully realise the benefits of tourism, it needs to reach into our town centres. That could mean linking tourism to a renewed and restarted high street task force. Will the Minister consider that, along with other Departments, to aid…
Tourism is a vital contributor to my economic vision and is key to creating prosperity across the North, enriching our communities and bringing social benefits to our towns and cities. It also creates opportunities in rural areas and is a source of pride for local people. My Department launched a tourism vision and…
Yes. I can assure the Member that there certainly is a plan. As he will know from his role on the Committee, and as I said to Mr Brett, policy development work is going on across a range of areas. That is really important to ensure that we have a fit-for-purpose energy system. The specifics of the renewable…
At a recent Committee meeting, the Minister's officials directly answered a question that I asked, saying that there was no plan and no strategy for the overall transformation towards renewables. Will the Minister reassure the House, even at this late stage, that a plan and a strategy will be brought forward to enable…
I thank the Member for her question. I fully support the principle of community benefit and encourage all developers, whether participating in the renewable electricity price guarantee scheme, when it is launched, or pursuing alternative routes to market, to adopt best practice and ensure a return for local…