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 will work in reverse. I do not accept your final comment at all. It is not about inaction; it is about trying to deliver on our Programme for Government commitments within the limitations of a devolved space. I am surprised that you do not understand the difference between the two jurisdictions that, unfortunately,…
The reason that I ask, First Minister, is that your party is making robust criticisms, many of which, perhaps, are legitimate, about performance in the South, but when it comes to social housing in the North, the Chartered Institute of Housing has warned today that there could be a £100 million shortfall in social…
I have not seen Eoin's comment, but suffice to say that all Governments need to do better when it comes to housing and infrastructure investment. Unfortunately, as you know, there are two jurisdictions across this island: a devolved Assembly with limited powers that has been starved of resources for 14-plus years and…
I thank the Member for her question. As I said, we will bring race relations legislation to the Assembly in 2025-26. On a broader point, equality is not just ticking a box but a core principle of how we need to shape policy and build communities. We are absolutely committed to addressing any gaps, and I welcome the…
Mr Speaker, I add my congratulations and formally welcome you to the club. We are falling far behind Britain and the South on equality protections: that is unacceptable in 2025. Will you introduce any legislation in this mandate that will close the gaps?
While we have equality legislation that protects citizens from less favourable treatment, we recognise that there are differences from that of other jurisdictions, and we are committed to addressing any gaps. We will bring race relations legislation before the Assembly in 2025-26 to strengthen protections against…
You see, it is not a binary choice. We can have good public services, and we can invest in our sporting infrastructure. The redevelopment of Casement Park is long overdue. It is the remaining stadium to be built. It is a commitment across the Executive and in the Programme for Government, and it will be built.
First Minister, with tens of millions of pounds of projected overspend on the original cost of the redevelopment of Casement Park and with public infrastructure and public services under serious financial strain, which public services would you cut to ensure Casement Park's redevelopment on the scale that the GAA…
Yes. I constantly call on the British Government to let us know exactly what they will do to fulfil their political commitment to building Casement Park. It will take all partners working together to ensure that the project gets across the line. We missed a huge opportunity by not being able to play our part in the…
Does the First Minister agree that it is long past time for the British Government to state what their funding contribution will be to the redevelopment of Casement Park?
We have to put every bit of energy and effort that we have into ensuring that Casement Park will be built. It is an Executive flagship project. I am determined to see it over the line and to work with all partners to ensure that that happens. I hope that the Minister for Communities got a sense of how important it is…
First Minister, Casement Park, which would, you said, be built on your watch, has been in limbo for well over a decade. While there seemed to be an improvement in the mood music over the weekend, with your colleague the Communities Minister's attendance in the box at the Athletic Grounds for Armagh's all-Ireland group…
We have consistently raised the issue during our engagement with all levels of the British and Irish Governments, and, this afternoon, we will meet the Minister for Communities for further discussions, following his recent engagement with the Secretary of State and the GAA.
The Member is right that that was the conclusion of the convention. I referenced what we voted on in the Chamber, but you are absolutely right: it is about all Irish citizens being able to vote for their uachtarán.
I join others in wishing you a happy birthday, Mr Speaker. I am sure that there is nowhere that you would rather be. The implementation of voting rights in Irish presidential elections is a matter for the Government of Ireland, not the Assembly, but, on a point of fact, can the First Minister confirm that the motion…
The Member ignores the reality, I am afraid: we had that very debate in the Chamber, and a majority of elected Members voted to call on the Irish Government to ensure that citizens who live in the North have voting rights in the election of the president of Ireland.
The First Minister may have seen the polling published today in the 'Belfast Telegraph' that asked nationalist voters about their priorities for the work of the Assembly and the Executive. Not a single person mentioned presidential election voting rights. Does the First Minister agree that the Irish Government, in…
Yes, I absolutely agree with that, and I thank the Member for bringing the issue to the Chamber for debate a short while ago. The outcome of that debate — the vote in the Chamber — was decisive in showing the support of elected Members in the Chamber for the right to vote in the presidential election later this year.…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chéad-Aire as an fhreagra sin. First Minister, I note from your response that there is no agreement in your office on the issue. However, it is the democratically expressed will of the Assembly that voting rights be extended to citizens across the island to elect the Irish head of state. Do…
One might fear that the Member is trying to curry favour with the Speaker with that comment. In general, yes, it is crucial that more young people come forward into public life to shape the bodies and how we design policy. Again, the best example that I have of that is the role that young people played in the ending…
Does the First Minister agree with me, in my role as the chair of the all-party group on youth participation, that, regardless of the number of bodies that we have, there are not enough young people represented on them? When I say "young people", I include those, like the Speaker, up to the age of around 30. They…
You are right that each Department has its own remit, legislatively, to set up bodies. In some ways, that is important. However, as an Executive, if we want to look at being efficient and transforming how we do things, we have to look at the issue in the round. That is an Executive discussion for a bit further down…