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I thank the Member for her question. We see that clearly. At the moment, the victims' pension scheme is open. There is no doubt from the feedback that we get that many people are not just suffering trauma now but have suffered it for many decades and need help and support. The mental health side of things is huge. I…
I thank the deputy First Minister for her response. Has any consideration been given to or have any discussions been had on the Regional Trauma Network (RTN)? I am conscious that that falls under the Department of Health's remit, but has consideration been given to incorporating it into the victims and survivors…
I thank the Member for her question. The victims and survivors strategy has been published. Key actions and schemes arise from it. We have asked in particular that the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) take a look at introducing a capital scheme to support some capital works. We are conscious that, across our…
Many will say this: be careful what you wish for. People had a sense that the current Government would spend and would invest in public services. As I have said, though, that did not happen, because there simply is not that economic growth across the UK. That is because of decisions that the Chancellor made at the…
People are beyond apprehensive: some are petrified. Will the deputy First Minister commit to working with the First Minister and the entire Executive to urge the British Government to reverse their punitive cuts, which many see as being Tory lite?
I thank the Member for that really important question. I have no doubt that she, like me and many across the Chamber, will have been contacted over the weekend by many people who are apprehensive about what is being proposed and about how they will get by. The Chancellor needed economic growth. We do not have economic…
I assure the Member that I will continue to work for everyone throughout this place, because this one thing is for sure: I am focused on growing the economy, providing good jobs, getting an affordable childcare strategy and tackling those health waiting lists in order to support people throughout the community in…
Thank you, deputy First Minister, for reaffirming your commitment, but it is meaningless, given that your party blocked funding for Foras na Gaeilge and opposes Irish language signage at Grand Central station. Is your vision for this place limited to one part of the community? Surely it is in no one's interest to…
Yes, absolutely. I very much hope that I have demonstrated that in the 14 months that I have been in this role. I am deeply proud of the place that we call "home". I am deeply proud of Northern Ireland. I will champion Northern Ireland at every opportunity. Our biggest strength is our people, the richness of our…
I thank the Member for her question. With a name like Hanna, of course, we know that there are strong Ulster-Scots links, and I commend the Member on all the work that she does to promote the rich heritage and culture of the Ulster-Scots community. It is a fantastic opportunity. It was notable, when I was in the US,…
The deputy First Minister mentioned that next year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. How much of an opportunity is that to highlight the significant role of the Ulster Scots — the Scots Irish — in building modern America?
Building on our successful visit to the US, the Northern Ireland Bureau in North America is developing a plan for engagement across the US and Canada. The plan will take into account the Programme for Government, the emerging priorities of the Trump Administration and our core strengths in relevant areas such as cyber…
I thank the Member for her question. Of course, we all want to see peace in that region, and I am sure that we want to extend our support to those who seek to cement that peace, because that is the best way of avoiding the terrible human toll of any conflict, no matter where that is. I did not have an opportunity to…
A key issue that is so often in my inbox and that I hear about in my office is the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. I know that you were in DC for a number of days. Did you raise that directly with the US president or in wider discussions on your trip?
I assure the Member that, absolutely, I took the opportunity throughout the week to raise that issue with everyone who would listen, including the new UK ambassador to the US, Lord Mandelson. I asked for his support in his representations to and engagement with the US Administration. I raised it directly with the…
Deputy First Minister, have you started conversations with the US Administration around a replacement for the special envoy? Joe Kennedy III did an amazing job of putting us on the map.
I thank the Member for his important question. This issue creates and will create some concern, particularly in the business community. It is a complicated issue. Significant work has been done at UK-US level to try to secure exemptions for the UK. That would benefit Northern Ireland, because, given that we operate in…
Deputy First Minister, you will agree, I am sure, that we have many excellent businesses here that punch well above their weight and export into the US market. Naturally, many of those business owners will be concerned about the changing world picture, particularly the tariffs that the USA is looking to implement.…
I thank the Member for his question. I recognise the incredible work that not just our businesses do. It is not just about US investment in business in Northern Ireland but about collaboration and our investment in the US. We have many examples, particularly through our universities and in the space of creativity,…
I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. She was in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Washington, DC. What opportunities did she have to engage with business groups on building economic links between Northern Ireland and the US? Ulster University's world-renowned research centre is based in my constituency, as is…
I thank the Member for that important question. Since we were in DC last year, there has been a change of Administration in the Republic of Ireland, the UK and, of course, the US, so it was an important time not just to engage with business on our economic potential but to engage politically. The visit was a good…
I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. All the media coverage of that week was positive back at home and a credit to those who turned up and spoke up for Northern Ireland. How important is it to have political engagement with the US Administration, particularly given the current uncertainty around tariffs…
With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer questions 6 and 11 together. The First Minister and I are fully committed to promoting Northern Ireland in the US. Earlier this month, we led a Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry delegation to North Carolina that deepened the economic and innovation…
I thank the Member for that question on the success of T:BUC. I will give a little bit of an update on what is happening and what has been delivered. The Community Relations Council is a key partner in the delivery of good relations, as we all know, under the T:BUC strategy. The CRC works collaboratively with the…