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.
I am not convinced that we have reached the point where we need to reconsider the introduction of 50:50 recruitment. However, the Member will be aware that, as the Minister, I must remain open to that request should it be presented to me by the Policing Board or the Chief Constable. When previously utilised, it was…
Absolutely. It was disappointing to see the response to the small number of adverts that showed racial diversity in the PSNI. The reaction to those was incredibly disappointing for those of us who wish to see a more inclusive, more representative Police Service. Let us be clear: an inclusive and representative Police…
There are two things. First, I do not accept that there is two-tiered justice in the ombudsman's office. Secondly, it is not a matter for me to comment on how and when the ombudsman issues her reports. I am aware that she is processing a number of legacy reports. There is a deadline for those to be issued, and she…
When discussing legacy and its impact on police recruitment, will the Minister give her assessment of the disgraceful conduct of the Police Ombudsman, Mrs Anderson? Despite numerous requests from my colleague the Chair of the Justice Committee, Joanne Bunting, she continues to hold up a report on the Kingsmills…
There are two schools of thought on why people are deterred from membership of the PSNI or, indeed, progression. The first is that there is a fundamental flaw in the organisation's recruitment practices. The bald numbers of applications and successful applicants suggest that that is not the case. There is a wider…
Minister, do you agree that other factors affect the number of Catholics and Catholic representation, importantly, at every level. Do you agree that we need to see better representation not just in the numbers and percentages but at every level in the PSNI?
It is difficult for me to give an opinion on that because I cannot speak for the UK Government. I have, of course, publicly shared my concerns about the approach taken, which will impact across the board not just on confidence in policing but on confidence in the wider justice system. That is of concern to all of us…
I thank the Minister for her answer. I reiterate my party's desire to see a Police Service that is truly representative of the community that it is here to serve and protect. Threats from so-called republicans to deter Catholics from joining certainly do not help. Does the Minister believe that the UK Government…
The PSNI has published the final number of applications received, with just under 30% of applications from members of the Catholic community. Whilst that is comparable to previous campaigns, I would wish to see figures more reflective of the wider community. It is therefore important that we listen to and learn from…
I am loath to say that decisions on where houses are built are taken based on the area of the community that people are in. Everything has to be assessed on its merits. I will say that, where there are difficulties, NI Water's developer constraints team engages with developers to find solutions. The broader issue is…
I have heard that point raised. We saw recent figures that suggest that there was a 15% rise in the price of housing in the past year. That was before developer contributions were even being talked about, so there are other factors that feed into house prices. The reality is that, at present, developers have to pay to…
The Department's consultation document acknowledges that, in many cases, developers may pass on the cost of those contributions to customers and, therefore, make houses more expensive. Does the Minister accept that other funding models are available to help Northern Ireland Water that do not risk making our housing…
The consultation is looking at those options and taking people's views, so we do not have an accurate figure for the revenue that they would bring in. There has been commentary to the effect that it would be a drop in the ocean. From the outset, my predecessor and I have said that developer contributions are only one…
For any such issues that arise, the Windsor framework was put in place to streamline and make sure that we have ways of mitigating them. I am happy to work with the sector and any other stakeholders who see such issues, and maybe we can find solutions by working together. Since taking up my post, those issues have not…
Minister, I do not know whether that means that you intend to raise the issues or that you are not aware of them. There are significant changes coming for businesses and consumers in Northern Ireland, which may limit choice and bring greater disruption. I would be grateful for your assessment of what those…
I have agreed to meet with the head of Logistics UK, who happens to be one of my predecessors. I am happy to speak to her on any of the issues that may be arising.
Absolutely. I know how important it is to the people in Hannahstown whom you represent. I assure you that improving those facilities is a key priority for me and my Department. I also appreciate residents' frustration that the footway has not yet been constructed. We are 100% committed to progressing the design of the…
I thank the Minister for that response. I completely understand all the realities that mean that it is hard to put a timeline on these things, but can the Minister reassure the local residents in west Belfast that the project remains a priority for her and her Department?
I thank the Member for her question, and I am looking forward to meeting her in Hannahstown to see the scheme. I am very aware of how important the scheme is to the people who live in Hannahstown village. I assure the Member that improving facilities for pedestrians in Hannahstown and many other areas is a priority…
I am happy to take the Member's suggestion on board to see whether we can do that. Given the fact that the PAC is an independent body that sits outside my Department, I do not know whether I can instruct it to take that action. I will take it forward and speak to officials to see whether we can potentially look at…
I thank the Minister for her answer. As the Minister will know, following the ABO Wind NI Ltd case, if a PAC decision is not challenged by way of judicial review, it must be accepted or respected by local planning authorities. That places a potentially huge financial and time burden on those authorities. Will the…
Since coming into post, I have not had any direct discussions with the Department of Justice. However, the Planning Appeals Commission sits outside my Department. We are working through the planning improvement programme to improve the whole planning process. Hopefully, the programme will feed into those issues as…
Without an understanding of the commission's exact terms of reference or what it would look like, it is very hard to make a judgement about that. As I said, if a proposal were put forward about a commission, we can consider it and look at its benefits and at whether it is more onerous than what we already do. I am…