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, Mr Speaker. On 24 March, I reminded the House of your remarks on 18 February to the Member for North Belfast Mr Brett. You said, in reference to Freedom of Information requests: "MLAs should not have to go down that route because they have access to questions" — [Official Report (Hansard), 18…
In my constituency, we sometimes have fires on the Cave Hill that cause damage to a much lesser extent; I cannot imagine the damage that is caused by the fires in the Mournes. When can an assessment of the environmental damage take place? Where the fires have gone out, has that already been done?
In the past week, there have been fires other than those in the Mournes. In south Armagh, there were fires in Fathom and in Dromintee. About five years ago, there was a serious forest fire on Slieve Gullion. The Irish Air Corps was engaged to pick up water from Camlough lake and drop deluges on the fire, helping to…
I turn to the practicalities of tackling the fires in situ. The fires, which are often started by humans, whatever the means, destroy our natural environment. What difference has been made by the specialist equipment deployed by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency in tackling the fires?
We are doing all we can. I hear Mr Buckley chuntering from a sedentary position. The situation in the countryside is really serious. The impact on Fire and Rescue Service personnel and resources is significant. I will be clear: the situation that is unfolding is really quite concerning. I say to people that it is…
Of course, my party associates itself with the good work of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. What is the Minister doing to ensure that farmers who are affected by the fires are being supported, particularly as the situation seems to recur?
I do not want to get involved in any particular blame game. The only way that we can go forward and know the exact cause of this is when we get people in front of a court. Regardless of who is responsible for this, if anyone knows any information, they should lift the phone and ring the police or Crimestoppers. For…
We all, across the House, share the sense of concern about the fires in the Mournes. The Mournes is a place of natural beauty, which many constituents and, indeed, Members, enjoy on a regular basis. I commend the Minister on the cross-departmental aspect of his response. However, the Minister knows that adequate…
I associate myself with some of the comments already made, especially in paying tribute to and giving thanks for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, all the associated agencies involved and individuals. I also echo what the Minister has said. I have worked in the Mournes and been there, and I know that it is…
Finances are always a challenge for my Department. The Fiscal Council set that out with regard to the budgetary settlement for my Department. I say one thing about this: we are facing a very serious situation. I worry that, if these fires do not stop, lives will be lost. There is a tendency in this place to divert to…
I echo the remarks that were made about the work of the Fire and Rescue Service over the weekend. It was absolutely pushed to its limits and did a sterling job to try to help our natural environment. Four years ago, we had a serious issue, and one of the only things faster than the Fire and Rescue Service was the Sinn…
I appreciate the Minister's being here to respond on this important matter. Will the Minister review the DAERA regulations on the burn period, which allow burning in the countryside up to 14 April, given that we are in bird-nesting season, with many birds nesting in the Mournes, and that the existing regulations,…
Thank you, Diane. Yesterday and today, I spoke to the Health Minister, who has overall responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Service, and we will remain in close liaison. I will take the points that you raised to Mike, the Health Minister. All of us in the Chamber and in society have a role to play in this matter. If…
I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber on this devastating issue, and I join him in expressing thanks to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, our police, the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team, the Mourne Heritage Trust and others as they worked together. Over recent weeks, there have been a number of fires,…
First, I offer my sympathy to all those who have been affected by the terrible fires over the past few days and pay tribute and express thanks to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) for all the work that it is doing to keep people safe. Tackling and preventing wildfires requires close working by the…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. It is not a point of order, it is an apology for not being in my place to ask a question earlier. You surpassed yourself, Mr Speaker, by being even more efficient than usual. My apologies that I was not there on time.
Professor Holtham, as one of the people who was involved in the review of the Wales formula, is very familiar with the process. He has a lot of casework and documentation to build on and learn from, so I am confident that he will be able to carry out the task and provide us with the independent oversight that is…
Given that the independent review of funding in Wales was conducted over 18 months by a number of individuals, is the Minister absolutely confident that the "desktop review", as he referred to it earlier, is sufficient?
I do not think that we will see the significant Barnett consequentials that we witnessed last year, but I suspect that there will be a flow of Barnett consequentials from the spending review in June. It will be up to the Executive to decide where that funding goes. The Health Minister is bringing a plan to the…
As I announced this morning, we have ring-fenced a significant amount of the Department of Health's money to tackle waiting lists. We have added £50 million to tackle waiting lists to go with the £165 million of ring-fenced funding. We have increased skills spending by £7 million, bringing it up to £15 million. We…
Again, it is being rolled out. The SEUPB is managing the project. Bids are being processed and hopefully funding will be issued. The PEACE programme, from its inception, has made a huge difference across all sectors and has proven to be invaluable in creating positive change across our society.