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.
Like the previous Member to speak, I am a representative for Lagan Valley, but I speak on behalf of John Stewart, our infrastructure spokesperson. Belfast is our capital city, and it is a beautiful city. I did not really look up at its beautiful buildings or recognise its lovely streets until I was in probably my 30s…
I will speak in the debate on behalf of my Alliance colleague Nuala McAllister MLA, who is, unfortunately, unwell. I caution, however, that I am originally from North Belfast as well. I thank the Member for securing the Adjournment debate and the Minister for attending. Five years ago, during COVID, as a councillor in…
I will start by paying tribute to the leader of the Opposition for bringing forward this important debate and discussion. As he rightly articulated, it is not just an issue for those of us who have the privilege of representing North Belfast or Belfast; it is recognised across Northern Ireland that the Cathedral…
Thank you, a Phriómh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle I feel like calling for equality between those of us who have seven minutes and those of us who have five minutes, but I will not need that long. I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate on the pedestrianisation of Hill Street and, indeed, Gordon Street, which was…
I will be very brief. The Member said that he was not being facetious, but I presume that he is aware, because he has been following the issue, that the Minister made it clear last week, in answer to a question in here, that the scheme was not delayed because of costs?
I thank the Member for giving way. Does he agree that people with disabilities and those who are in wheelchairs have to pick their routes very carefully? One of the challenges in this case is that because of the disadvantageous parking of traffic and delivery vehicles, which, for the traders, are really important, our…
Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I hope that I will not use all the 15 minutes, and I would say that everybody else hopes that I will not use all the 15 minutes either. I thought that we would find unanimity for once in the Chamber on that. I am glad to bring the subject to the Assembly Chamber for debate…
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. On a previous occasion when a motion was passed in the Assembly with a call for the Irish Government or for Dáil Éireann more broadly, I believe that a letter went from the Speaker to the Irish Government. I just wondered if the Speaker's Office could advise on whether that…
Does the Member agree that some of the interventions from other Members have been unfortunate in the manner in which they have sought to deflect from the character of the motion and that there is, in fact, an opportunity for every Member in the Chamber, including our colleagues from the DUP, to powerfully, along with…
The Member talks about the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements. Does she accept, though, that they also make clear that Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom by the will of the people? Whatever the Republic of Ireland chooses to do regarding passports, the territory of Northern Ireland…
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I doubt that I will need 10 minutes. I thank all Members for what was a lively, informative and worthwhile debate. We tabled the motion to try to progress rights, equality and inclusion. That is the thrust of the motion's objective. I am an Irish woman who lives in…
It should be uncontroversial to say that everyone living in Ireland should have the right to vote for the Irish president, but that is obviously not the case. Several hundred thousand Irish citizens in Belfast, Derry and across the North are being denied their basic democratic rights in elections on this island. That…
I am grateful to the Member for giving way. Notwithstanding some of his remarks about it being a foreign head of state — he is entitled to make that statement, but, obviously, I do not agree with that — for the purposes of information, can he tell me how I can go about voting for the head of the UK state? That is not…
In many ways, the motion in the Order Paper today sums up the problem with the wretched Belfast Agreement. The Belfast Agreement was sold to unionists as a settlement. We were told that, if you swallow the pill of murderers being released from prison, if you accept that the IRA's political wing will have a place at…
FlaggedConstitutional question, Brexit, the Windsor Framework and sovereigntyCriteria met: Identity framing, Dog-whistle messaging.
Does the Member agree that, if we are going to respect all Irish citizens, those Irish citizens in Northern Ireland should not be treated any differently? They are not more Irish, for instance, than those Irish-born citizens in New York, Sydney or London. Northern Ireland should not be treated as a special case in…
At the beginning of the debate, I need to make a declaration of interest. I am the chair of the Council for Democratic Elections, which is a constituent body of the Venice Commission — the international organisation that, through its independent experts, vets and verifies electoral law and electoral law changes. Both…
Rostrevor, to be precise. The second mistruth was from Phillip Brett and the DUP. Despite what you may want to believe, Irish citizens living in the North are part of the Irish nation and share its identity and culture, yet we are denied a voice in choosing the president, who is a head of state representing all Irish…