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.
On a point of order, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. In your earlier ruling on a point of order from Mr Sheehan, you ruled that Mr Gaston was out of order because he talked about special schools, which are not mentioned in the amendments. I cannot see that there are any issues in the Bill around LGBT rights, so I…
Ba mhaith liom labhairt i leith an Bhille seo, ní hamháin mar ionadaí d'Iarthar Bhéal Feirste, ach mar thuismitheoir, agus páistí agam féin atá ag gabháil don Ghaeloideachas. Chím tionchar cruálach Stormont ar an phleanáil, ar acmhainní agus ar thacaíocht a chur ar fáil d’earnáil na Gaelscolaíochta, chím sin achan lá…
On a point of order, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. In the amendments to the Bill, there is no mention of special schools. The Member is drifting off the subject.
At Second Stage, I opposed the principles of the Bill because it singles out one part of our education system for a statutory workforce planning regime that is not provided for any other sector. None of the amendments addresses that fundamental inequality. Amendment No 1 replaces in its entirety clause 1, which is the…
My goodness, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Like my unionist colleagues, I will also be brief. I really want to thank Pat and his team for the work that they have put into the Bill. We had extensive engagement on the Committee. The level of detail in that engagement was really helpful in shaping the story of…
The Irish language is a wonderful language, and I respect the right of anyone to speak it. The Irish-medium sector is valued. I have said on the record that I do not think that the Bill is necessary. There are many laws that we should pass in this place, with finite time to pass them, to deal with really important…
I do not plan to speak for long, but I reiterate our position, which has been articulated by the Chair in brief. I recognise the pressures that have been outlined by the Chair, but our view has been clear and was expressed during Committee. Whilst we understand and recognise the pressures faced by the Irish language…
I beg to move amendment No 1: At the outset, I thank the Bill Office for its support throughout the process. In particular, I thank Stephen Orme — I hope that I have not embarrassed you, Stephen — for his support and expertise in getting us to this stage. I also thank the Chair and members of the Education Committee…
On a point of order, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. During the debate, Mr Allen asked me about the time frame for this. I omitted to respond to that and want to place it on the record. Is it in order for me to inform the House that the legislative proposals that I anticipate will be brought forward will be published…
I really appreciate and welcome the Member's giving way, which is necessary in such debates. Does he accept and understand that, regardless of whether he thinks that a lot of good support is provided outside of the 28 days, changing the period would not actually change the duty?
Does the Member recognise that the Housing Executive's role is to support people who have difficulty with their accommodation at any stage? It is not as though it waits and says, "We can't help you until you've only 28 days left of your tenancy". If people say, "I need accommodation", or, "I'm going to lose my…
Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. First, I thank Members for taking part in what has been a fairly extensive, interesting and good-natured debate. I accept everyone's bona fides in raising their concerns and engaging with the Bill, and I look forward to continuing to do that. I will touch briefly…
I will begin by mentioning the Bill sponsor, who is the Chair of the Committee for Communities. I recognise that it is no easy thing to bring forward a piece of legislation, even one that is very short, and I understand that a lot of work goes into that. I also want to acknowledge that I believe that the Bill sponsor…
We know that the Bill alone will not solve homelessness. We in Sinn Féin have been clear that what is required is significant investment in social and affordable housing; preventing the unnecessary loss of vital public housing stock; ending unfair fees and practices, including banning no-fault evictions; preventing…
I can provide the Member with some information. I have received preliminary figures from the Housing Executive, but I hope that during — I accept that the Bill will pass Second Stage tonight — the Committee Stage, the Committee will bring the Housing Executive in so that it can give that information. There has been a…
I welcome the opportunity to speak at the Second Stage of the Housing (Amendment) Bill. I start by thanking my Sinn Féin colleague Colm Gildernew for progressing this legislative change. As was highlighted at last year's homeless conference, it is about seeing the person and seeing the family. In our offices, each and…
As we have heard, the Bill proposes one amendment to the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1988, which is that the Housing Executive can designate someone as "threatened with homelessness" 60 days in advance of their losing their home, rather than 28 days, as it is currently. The Bill proposer tells us that, in other…
Housing is a basic human right; for too many people across the North, that right is under enormous pressure. Families face rising rents, insecure tenancies, overcrowding and a constant fear of losing their home. That is compounded by a cost-of-living crisis where profits, concentrated wealth and wars are prioritised…
I also acknowledge the well-meaning intent of the sponsor of the Housing (Amendment) Bill. The Bill is short and straightforward. It seeks to extend the period during which a person can be considered to be "threatened with homelessness" from 28 days to 60 days. Those additional 32 days would be extremely valuable when…