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.
Indeed. We know that that type of abuse causes significant distress and can make people very scared. I felt afraid, and I continue to feel afraid when I think about the future, because of the actions of that individual. That is utterly wrong. I think that, despite our differences in political opinions and aspirations,…
I, too, send solidarity to the deputy First Minister and everybody across the House who has experienced abuse in the course of their role. It is completely unacceptable and needs to be called out. Will the deputy First Minister provide an update on the Power to Change public awareness campaign?
I thank the Member for her sentiments and her important question. There is always a balance when it comes to free speech in all of this. In any democracy, people should be able to freely express a view, but, where that crosses over into abuse or threats, that is clearly wrong. I welcome the fact that it has been…
I put on record my solidarity with and support for you, deputy First Minister, in everything that you are going through. No one should have to face any kind of threat when doing their job. Recently, during a discussion in the European Parliament, there was a suggestion of having a direct helpline — a 911, if you will…
Absolutely. Women have a right to participate in public life without suffering abuse or threats of violence. Indeed, we want to actively encourage women to get into public life. However, sadly, we know from personal experience — we have heard the stories from many people, not just in this place but in other public…
Does the deputy First Minister agree that it is completely unacceptable that any woman in public life should have a fear of violence simply because they are doing their job?
The Member will be aware of the UK-US trade agreement that was announced last week. We are working through the details of that. Many people will be pleased to see that that rumoured aspect did not feature. The Member will also be aware that, for many years, my colleagues and I have advocated stronger protections for…
Thank you, deputy First Minister for that answer. I express my solidarity with you on the threat and abuse that you received. Hopefully, the individual in question will be held to account for that. There has been speculation that tech regulation and online safety regulation may be on the table as part of trade…
With your permission, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, I will answer questions 1 and 10 together. The delivery of the strategic framework to end violence against women and girls requires a whole-of-society approach. We have engaged with Ofcom on online safety and mobilised work across all councils through our change…
I support the motion and the amendment. I commend the motion's sponsors, because these are the issues that the House needs to talk about. Our role as public representatives is to improve public services, and we could certainly do better in this area. The state of cancer waiting times in Northern Ireland is not only…
Cancer is not just a disease but a thief that steals time, futures and lives. Although cancer does not discriminate, our systems, sadly, do. They discriminate between those who get seen on time and those who do not and between those who survive and those who become a statistic. I know that, because I stood in those…
I thank Mrs Dodds and Mr Robinson for tabling the motion. We have heard plenty of statistics already, and they are harrowing. We miss every target. Unacceptable delays are now normalised, and, yes, the numbers are awful. I fear that, in among all the noise, we are beginning to lose sight of what the numbers represent.…
I support the motion from my party colleagues Ms Diane Dodds and Mr Alan Robinson. I place on record our satisfaction and our gratitude to Diane and Alan for the sterling work that they do on the Health Committee in representing the people and, secondly, this party and its views and policies. It is service that is…
This subject touches every one of us in the Chamber and, indeed, throughout our communities, whether it be through personal experience or the experience of a family member, friend or neighbour. We have all been affected by cancer. If, by some small chance, you have not been yet, you will be. Obviously, that is the…
I thank the Member for giving way. Yes, absolutely. There is not enough money to deal with the issues that we have, so I entirely expect that it will take additional and ring-fenced funds to be given to Health. If we are truly serious about dealing with the issue, we absolutely need more funds, but they should be…
Few issues are as important as cancer care. As we all know, cancer is a disease that does not wait but, instead, often thrives in any period of delay. That is what makes the current challenges, which have existed for a considerable number of years, so intolerable. The delays are being compounded by increasing levels…
I thank my colleague on the Health Committee for moving the motion. Like others who have already spoken, I express deep concern and dismay at the current state of cancer waiting lists in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, it is not the first time that we are debating the matter. We have discussed it over many months…
I thank the proposer of the motion for bringing the issue to the Chamber today. The most recent statistics for waiting times for cancer patients do not make good reading: they highlight a situation for cancer patients that simply is not good enough. As we have heard, only 87·5% of cancer patients started treatment…
Thank you very much, Deputy Speaker. I welcome the opening of the debate and the fact that we are debating this incredibly important motion. It is the sort of thing that we should discuss in this place, because it goes to the core of what impacts on, frightens and scares people in the community. One can think of…
I beg to move Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I welcome the opportunity to debate what, I think, is a hugely important issue for everyone in the Chamber and in Northern Ireland. I submitted the motion last month. It was agreed by the Business Committee and was included in the provisional Order Paper that was circulated…
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Will you confirm that the facilities in Parliament Buildings are the responsibility of the Assembly Commission, with all five political parties represented on it? Has the current policy, which was outlined by Mr Gaston, been challenged by any of the five political parties on the…
Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. I will talk about the amazing spectacle that is the North West 200, which was held last week. I record my sincere thanks to and appreciation for the clerk of the course, Stanleigh Murray, as well as Mervyn Whyte and the rest of the team. They put on a tremendous spectacle for…
Like the Member who spoke earlier, I am deeply troubled that Parliament Buildings is hosting an event this afternoon entitled 'Nothing About Us Without Us — Trans Voices In The Halls Of Power'. Let me be clear: I do not object to debate or fear disagreement, but I do object to the forced endorsement of radical…
FlaggedGender, sexuality, abortion and related social issuesCriteria met: Identity framing, Sectarian or communal antagonism, Dog-whistle messaging.
I rise to mark the beginning of ME Awareness Week and highlight the ongoing, often invisible, suffering of those living with myalgic encephalomyelitis. That complex and debilitating neurological condition affects thousands across Northern Ireland but remains chronically under-recognised and, in some cases, underserved…