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.
Health and safety is paramount in every case. I have said clearly that we have been working with the board. However, if my Department overspends, there is a consequence. We all have difficult work to do to ensure that we live within our budgets. I do not underestimate the challenges that any ALB has in living within…
I thank the Minister for her remarks. Minister, you will be well aware of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the consolidated licence of 25 November 2024. As Minister, you have the ultimate legal responsibility for Northern Ireland Water because of its rather strange set-up as a form of…
To appoint forensic accountants to such a significant arm's-length body as NI Water is a serious step, Minister. When did you communicate to NI Water your intention to do so? Without getting into detail on specifics, is the Minister or her Department aware of any potentially fraudulent activity that might have caused…
Minister, yesterday, you told my colleague that the funding model for Northern Ireland Water had been looked at time and again. In a recent response at the Committee, the permanent secretary told me that the reports on the funding model are publicly available, but, in this week's Committee pack, you have confirmed…
I thank the Minister for her statement. What is the expected timescale for completion of the forensic accountants' work? What will be the next steps once you have reviewed their findings?
Here we have the latest problems arising from a sticking-plaster solution to funding Northern Ireland Water. Minister, what are the potential health and safety consequences should the overspend not be granted? Will the overspend in any way impact on how Westminster acts to claw back up to half a billion pounds' worth…
I thank the Minister for her statement. Despite the initial, sizeable allocation to Northern Ireland Water and monitoring round increments to that, the total that it has received still falls short of the amount that was identified in the price control. Minister, are you able to clarify whether the forensic…
Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to address the Assembly. My statement is on my decision to start the process of engaging forensic accounting services to investigate why NI Water has been unable to live within its resource budget allocation this year. Members are fully aware of the budgetary…
I suspect that every Member has experienced the grief of losing a loved one. They may have experienced holding the hand of a parent, child or friend in their dying moments. They will have had the painful task of arranging a funeral. I suspect — I know — that there are Members in the House who have had the painful…
I raise again the issue of the lack of services for patients with facial palsy in Northern Ireland. I am privileged to sponsor an event today in the Long Gallery that has been organised by patient advocate, Janet Robb, and the charity Facial Palsy UK. The event forms part of an awareness-raising campaign by the…
Yesterday in the House, I asked the Minister for Infrastructure for an assurance that she would commit to undertaking a consultation and equality screening exercise before taking any decision on the installation of Irish language signs at Belfast Grand Central station. Far from providing the assurance that I sought,…
FlaggedIrish language, Ulster-Scots and language policyCriteria met: Identity framing, Cultural grievance politics, Dog-whistle messaging, Controversy escalation.
The Mourne Mountains are one of the most spectacular attractions in Northern Ireland. They are our highest and most dramatic mountain range and are in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), with peaks such as Slieve Donard, Commedagh, Binnian and many more. They are my home countryside in the heart of South…
I rise acknowledging that many of us are not in politics for very long, so it is important to use our platform to speak up on what is right. I wish to use my platform to endorse the importance of Irish neutrality. On St Patrick's Day, many people across our island revelled in joy and celebrated our shared history and…
I congratulate Skye-Leigh Haighton from Evolution Boxing Club in Carrickfergus for her tremendous achievement at being named junior sportsperson of the year at the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council sports awards. That recognition is a true testament to Skye-Leigh's unwavering commitment, extraordinary talent and, of…
I pay tribute to well-respected and popular flute bands in my constituency that, this year, celebrate significant milestones in their long history. Ballyquin flute band was formed in 1925 and, this year, will celebrate its 100th anniversary. I want to applaud the bandmaster, Mr David McKeegan, who, along with the band…
First, I will make a declaration of interest as chair of the all-party groups on STEM and aerospace. Last Friday, I had the enjoyable opportunity to attend the Northern Ireland schools rocketry final at RLC Aerospace's historic site at Langford Lodge on the shores of Lough Neagh. The more than 90 schoolchildren who…
I pay tribute to the pupils and staff of Springfield Primary School in west Belfast. The school made a positive impression on all who attended the Northern Ireland match at Windsor Park on Friday evening, when the team achieved a credible 1-1 draw against Switzerland. A group of 50 pupils and staff from Springfield…
Cuirim fáilte roimh an fhógra gur ghlac an Coiste Feidhmiúcháin an cinneadh stairiúil le coimisinéir Gaeilge agus coimisinéir Ultaise a cheapadh. Gabhaim buíochas le pobal na Gaeilge as a gcuid oibre le blianta fada leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. I am grateful to the small group of volunteers in Coalisland who…
Mr Middleton asked the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, after stating that the upgrade to the Drumahoe to Caw section of the A6 depends on the remediation strategy for the Mobuoy illegal dump, to provide an update on the remediation strategy for the site.