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I thank the Member for giving way. It is great to hear the Member's excitement about the motion. He has given two clear, compelling reasons for why he believes that Ballymena should be the hub for hydrogen. Perhaps I can suggest a third: is it the fact that the Member represents North Antrim, of which Ballymena is at…
Will the Member explain why he could not support yesterday's motion on the green energy transition, or the DUP amendment, which supported a green transition for industry, yet, today, he is effervescent about Ballymena's being a hydrogen hub?
I am very aware of where the future growth opportunities are for the Northern Ireland economy. In particular, Ballymena should be designated as the hydrogen hub for Northern Ireland. I say that for two reasons. First, long before hydrogen was identified as the answer to fuelling large vehicles, Wrightbus, in…
I thank the DUP for tabling the motion. The Ulster Unionist Party will support it. One of the most interesting things about green hydrogen and the move towards green hydrogen is that it shows a definite transition towards net zero. However, one of the issues that we will face in Northern Ireland is that, in fact, we…
I thank the Member for giving way. It is an interesting example that she raises about our domestic ratepayers and, indeed, homeowners. Does the Member agree that there is also a huge opportunity for local businesses to tap into some of that production and that there is a real opportunity, in the forthcoming Bill about…
Thank you to the DUP for tabling the motion. Hydrogen development in Northern Ireland is emerging as a pivotal element of the region's transition to a low-carbon economy. Such development utilises Northern Ireland's substantial renewable energy capacity, which is predominantly wind, and innovative applications of…
I thank the Members opposite for tabling the motion. Like many others in the House, I am committed to making the case for green technology for the future. It is critical that we continue to explore how Northern Ireland can best avail itself of the opportunities afforded by the green energy transition. If harnessed…
I thank my Economy Committee colleagues for tabling this meaningful motion. Hydrogen energy is an opportunity to transform our energy consumption, pave the way for a low-carbon future and position Northern Ireland at the front of the green economy. Local firms are already working towards Northern Ireland's path to net…
I thank the Member for giving way. In case there is an attempt to misrepresent, I clarify that my argument was that, to enable us to benefit from green hydrogen, we must tap in to the funding streams that are available, therefore through UK Government funding. Beyond that, the world is our oyster. I am for being a…
I also support the motion. From the start, we should get one thing clear: the success that we are having in this area is despite the Assembly and not because of decisions that have been made in this mandate or by any previous Minister. That fact is a disgrace. Businesses have been left to get on with it when the…
I support the motion and thank those who tabled it. This is an incredibly timely discussion. It is a very important thing for us to make progress on in this place, and we know that the Department has recognised the importance of green energy. A just transition for those investing in green energy is one of the…
I thank the Member for giving way. I thank him for mentioning Dungannon: that work has assisted consumers because it has helped with the price of energy in that area, as well as the local businesses that feed into that development.
I beg to move Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Today, I move a motion that, I trust, will set Northern Ireland on the path to becoming a global leader in green hydrogen technology, a path that harnesses the potential of hydrogen to transform our energy landscape and create high-quality, sustainable jobs in…
The motion seeks Members' support to extend the Committee Stage of the Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill until 16 May 2025. As Members are aware, the Ad Hoc Committee was established on 17 February to undertake the Bill's Committee Stage and to report to the Assembly by 1 April 2025. While the Committee has…
I beg to introduce the Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill [NIA 13/22-27], which is a Bill to amend the law relating to the manner of notification of deaths, still-births and births and the manner of giving particulars relating to them; and to make provision for the issue of certificates recognising the loss of a…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. During Members' statements, Timothy Gaston raised an issue in relation to my announcement yesterday on Irish language signage for Grand Central station and indicated that an equality screening had not been completed. I want to rectify that. An equality screening had been completed, and…
Minister, the problems with NI Water are long-standing and the investigation is long overdue. Will the scope of the investigation consider how much subcontractors are charging for works, which is well above what it would cost for those works to be carried out internally by NI Water staff? If not, the investigation…
It is incumbent on all Ministers and MLAs to demonstrate financial prudence and accountability. In her statement, the Minister talked about the additional £11·5 million resource secured in-year for NI Water, yet, in the October monitoring round, I understand that the total for NI Water was £31 million, which included…
A critical Audit Office report, waste water issues associated with the Lough Neagh crisis, regular fish kills and other examples of pollution are stark reminders of improvements urgently required in water quality. Can the Minister give us any reassurance that the planned processes outlined in her statement will put…
Minister, every month in the Finance Committee, we hear the reported out-turns and the direction towards reaching a balanced budget for this year. As Minister for Infrastructure, it is your responsibility to get us there. The indications were that we were on track for that. For the board of NI Water to instruct NI…
Minister, if this were private business, somebody would lose their job. We all know that, as you said, you do not get enough money to fund Northern Ireland Water in the way that it wants. Public-sector budgetary rules constrain Northern Ireland Water's ability to access and utilise funding beyond that provided by the…
I thank the Minister for her statement. Minister, have the terms of reference been agreed, and is there a team or individual in your Department responsible for overseeing this?