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I welcome the chance to make some comments today on the Main Estimates 2025-26. First, I acknowledge fully that few, if any, Departments or ALBs will be pleased with the current budgetary position. We do not underestimate for one moment the challenges facing a number of our public services. We also sincerely hope that…
While the motion is largely technical in nature, it provides us with another opportunity to discuss the Budget and our overall financial position. I begin by recognising the ongoing efforts of the Finance Minister to prioritise the delivery of public services in challenging financial circumstances due to increasing…
I thank the Member for giving way. Before the Assembly was restored, Members from across parties were waxing lyrical about the environmental crisis at Lough Neagh. What does he propose that the Minister do: stand over the environmental crisis that is unfolding before our eyes and do nothing?
Members lament — I know that I do — having to talk in a Budget debate again. It is just a constant cycle. I will address the issues that I have found in the Northern Ireland Main Estimates 2025-26. Whilst there have been improvements in linking the Main Estimates with the Programme for Government and the legislative…
Thank you very much, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I appreciate that. I can confirm to the Member that the Committee is interested in efficiencies, as all Committees should be. We have put a series of questions to the Department about the different departmental functions, including staffing, recruitment and…
I hear what the Member has said right along, and I know that he is representing the Committee. Does the Committee realise, however, that no Ministers will be able to get the money that they need to meet their needs as they see them and that every Department should look for efficiencies? Is the Committee looking at…
I thank the Member for his intervention. Yes, the monitoring rounds are incredibly important. The Finance Minister has indicated in advance some of the plans for the June monitoring round. Given the movements at the end of the previous financial year, which transferred extra money across to 2025-26, we will look to…
I thank the Member for giving way. Does the Member agree that not only is the initial Budget important but the monitoring rounds throughout the year are vital in distributing funds? The Department of Health benefited from those greatly last year.
I thank the Member for her intervention. The mother-and-baby unit is an essential part of healthcare for citizens here in the North, and, as Chair of the Health Committee, I want to see that built very soon. The Member will know, as I know, that our Committee has, on too many occasions, discussed problems in the…
I thank the Chair for giving way. He mentioned the Department's capital budget. We have seen huge waste and misuse of funding in the capital budget. Does he agree that the mother-and-baby unit could have been built by now had we not been wasting money in the Belfast Trust in relation to all the other building…
I beg to move Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. As you have set out, the debate is on the Supply resolution for the Main Estimates 2025-26, which relates to the supply of cash and the use of resources for the current year, 2025-26. It seeks the Assembly's approval for the 2025-26 spending plans of…
On a point of order, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle . Members are often reminded that our questions following a ministerial statement should be relevant to the statement. Is it therefore in order for Ministers' responses not to bear at least a wee bit of relevance to Members' questions?
Minister, thank you for your statement. There was no mention in it of the Union connectivity review, however, or of the £5 million that was provided to Northern Ireland as a result. Why was that not discussed at the meeting? Do you have any update to give on the spending of that £5 million?
Minister, you said in your statement: "As an Assembly, we have committed to taking action to tackle the climate crisis and reduce emissions across all sectors, including transport." Minister, do you recognise that many people will regard that comment as hypocritical, when Stormont Departments have run up a bill of…
Minister, when you discussed the decarbonisation of ports, was there any discussion about making the Irish Sea a zero emissions zone (ZEZ)? We have seen that happen, particularly in Europe for the Mediterranean Sea and the Baltic Sea. I understand that there are ambitions in Dublin to do the same with the Irish Sea.
I thank the Minister for her statement. The Minister said that the forward work plan for the transport sector, which was agreed at the meeting, addressed sustainable transport in rural areas as one area of focus. What ideas and inspiration did she take away from that meeting on that area?
I thank the Minister for her statement. The Minister mentioned removing barriers to travel for the most vulnerable. Hopefully, she will be aware that the journey by train to George Best Belfast City Airport can be challenging for passengers with accessibility needs. Will she provide an update on or timescale for when…
I thank the Minister for her statement. Another area of focus in planning is the importance of HGV and linkages across these islands. The Minister will be aware that there was a commitment in the Union connectivity report to improving linkages between Northern Ireland and Scotland, most notably the freight corridors…
I thank the Minister for her statement. I will build on what we have just heard on EV infrastructure: how does the 75% increase that the Minister mentioned compare with the other islands? What ideas were discussed for how we could improve EV infrastructure in Northern Ireland on the basis of the best experiences of…
Cuirim fáilte roimh ráiteas an Aire. In your statement, Minister, you mentioned EV charging infrastructure. Do you have any plans for cross-pavement solutions so that people can charge electric vehicles at home, which is a key part of the just transition?
As the Member will be aware, we hope to see the outcome of the feasibility study in the coming weeks. It was initially planned for the spring, but we were then told that it will be in the summer, so it should come fairly soon. I look forward to seeing the outcome of that. On the specifics of Fermanagh — I, too, note…
I thank the Minister for her statement. I noted that she highlighted joint collaboration as part of the all-island strategic rail review and further noted her mention of sustainable public transport in rural areas. My council area — Fermanagh and Omagh District Council — has one of the highest rates of car ownership…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. A key area of focus over the next three years will be modal shift, active travel and public transport. Other jurisdictions are increasing investment in public transport, recognising the environmental and economic value of doing so. Will the Minister and the Executive be…