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.
We recently met the chairperson of the board to talk through those issues and to be assured that the board is continually reviewing its system. A number of significant changes have been made that you will be aware of from your role on the Committee. The key strands of the business improvement programme have been…
On the issue of processing, I am sure that the deputy First Minister will agree with me that the voluntary-sector organisations that have provided support with applications have been doing an amazing job. Once an application is submitted to the board, how often is the process being reviewed? Are any changes planned…
I thank the Member for his important question. I have met many who applied to the scheme: those who were severely injured and those who have permanent mental scars as a result of what they experienced during the Troubles. The scheme is designed to try to support them. I am pleased to say that I have been very much…
First Minister, your colleague, the other First Minister, believes that the horrendous and futile violence of the past was justified, and her party believes the same thing. Do you believe that it is justifiable that many victims of that violence are languishing, unable to access justice or the permanent disablement…
FlaggedDecided on a second assessment.Legacy of the Troubles, victims and paramilitarism
I thank the Member for his question. The First Minister is answerable for her own activities, of course, but I can say clearly to this place that I believe that any glorification of terrorism is wrong. Of course, families may want to remember their loved one, and they can do so privately. That is understandable, but…
Thank you, deputy First Minister. Maybe the reason that we cannot get that data is the real fear and concern that some victims have about the terrorist threat. Does the deputy First Minister agree that the crass and hurtful glorification of terrorism by the First Minister goes against the ministerial code of conduct…
The Victims' Payments Board, which makes decisions on entitlement to payment through the victims' payments scheme, has advised that the inclusion of postcode information when applying is not mandatory. That means that a large number of applicants do not provide that data, which means that it is not possible to use the…
Absolutely. I thank the Member for his timely question. I was at the North West 200 on Saturday, and the First Minister was there on Thursday evening, which, I believe, was her first time at it. It was a spectacular occasion. Over 100,000 spectators enjoyed the sunshine. There was sunshine for the second Saturday in a…
Will the deputy First Minister join me in noting the positive contribution of large-scale events such as the Balmoral show, the North West 200 and the Open Championship, which is coming up in Royal Portrush, in showcasing the very best of Northern Ireland and their impact?
I thank the Member for his question. He will be aware that I have a constituency interest in the site as well. The site has huge potential. I would particularly love to see the economic potential of that site unlocked. The Member will be aware that, alas, there is no agreement on the listed and retained buildings. The…
The role of the Maze/Long Kesh board is to deliver the development of the whole site. You have mentioned the Ulster Aviation Society and the Balmoral show, which are great examples of what can happen. We have also heard the deputy First Minister talk about sensitivity, but that should not mean doing nothing. When will…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an leasChéad-Aire as ucht a freagra. Minister, will you detail what is happening with the retained and listed buildings on the site?
We are considering options for filling vacancies on the Maze/Long Kesh (MLK) Development Corporation board. We recognise that the vacancies place an additional burden on the remaining board members, and we are grateful to them for their continued efforts and commitment. It would be remiss of us to discuss the…
Thank you. Significant protections remain in place for individuals from the trans community here. For individuals who are undergoing or have undergone gender reassignment, there is the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, as amended by the Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations (Northern…
I thank the Member for his question. As I indicated in my initial response, the matters are under consideration, but there is no doubt that, legally speaking, it is not just a matter of opinion. It is clear that the Supreme Court judgement will have tangential impacts and that there will be significant impact across…
I ask that we move away from opinions and views to fact, so, in light of that, I ask this: what impact will the clarity of the assessment on the need for non-discrimination on the basis of gender reassignment have on the Executive Office's work on equality for all, including members of our trans community?
Thank you. Let us be very clear that the Supreme Court is the court. It is the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. It is made up of people who sit and make a judgement on such legal matters. It is a matter of biology as well. A woman is a woman. I am a woman. I know what I am. With the greatest respect to the Member,…
FlaggedDecided on a second assessment.Gender, sexuality, abortion and related social issuesCriteria met: Identity framing.
I condemn the threats towards you, deputy First Minister. Violence or threats of violence towards anybody are disgraceful and wrong, whoever the person is. Given that the BMA stated that the Supreme Court ruling is "biologically nonsensical" and "scientifically illiterate", do you think that we should listen to the…
I thank the Member for his question and assure him that I have engaged with the trans community on a number of occasions to date. I will say this very clearly: in everything that I say, I make it clear that no person should be subject to harassment or discrimination, and, indeed, that people should be attributed…
FlaggedGender, sexuality, abortion and related social issuesCriteria met: Identity framing, Dog-whistle messaging.
Notwithstanding the outcome of the court case, which is a court case and needs to be understood and acknowledged, will you, as deputy First Minister, make any attempt to reach out specifically to people in the trans community — ordinary trans people, including those who are having an event upstairs in the Building…
I thank the Member for his supplementary question. That is a topical question, for understandable reasons. I commend those who have campaigned on the issue — who have been subjected to a significant amount of abuse for trying to stand up and protect female-only spaces for women. We must always be conscious that the…
FlaggedGender, sexuality, abortion and related social issuesCriteria met: Identity framing, Dog-whistle messaging.
I thank the deputy First Minister for her response. Does the deputy First Minister agree that it is fundamentally wrong and unfair that trans people who are biologically male have been able to compete in women's sports, use women's bathrooms and be placed on female prison wings?
The recent Supreme Court judgement on the For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers ruled that, for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010, the definitions of "sex", "man" and "woman" refer to biological sex. The issue is under consideration in the Department and right across government. It is important to…