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.
Minister, thank you for being open with us today. I wonder whether you can answer two questions. Do you know whether representatives from DSO were present in court for the entire hearing and whether any DOJ representatives were present for any of the hearing?
Like other Members, my thoughts are with the Kelly family today. Gary Anderson was, shamefully, granted release from prison because his legal team cited his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. Minister, when will the rights of victims be placed above those of victim-makers? Is quitting the ECHR not…
It is fairly clear at this stage of the questions that some people want to make this a political football. References to people being released historically — murderers and so on — have nothing to do with compassionate temporary release. It is just another political jibe in the Chamber that, of course, we have come to…
Minister, this country does not have a good track record on letting murderers out. It has let them out for years and years, but, obviously, this is a more recent case, so we cannot really be too proud of that. My question relates to handcuffing, and I mentioned this last week during the question for urgent oral…
Mr Buckley partly raised the question that I was going to ask. I thank the Minister for coming before the House. Before I say anything else, I share my concerns for the Kelly family. It must be traumatising for them to relive this. Will the Minister explain her policy governing who may accompany prisoners on…
It is a catastrophic failure of the justice system that has caused widespread hurt and concern, and that has been acknowledged across the House. Another damning revelation that concerns me about the case is that it appears that the Department of Justice is presiding over no-go areas for prison officers in this…
Like my colleagues, my thoughts are with the Kelly family in this horrific situation. Given that the Prison Service's original position was to refuse compassionate temporary release on public protection grounds and given that there have been acknowledged failures and, clearly, serious communication problems during the…
Minister, a murderer is at large. This is not a Civil Service bureaucracy issue, which is how the statement reads. My heart breaks for the Kelly family. You came to the House last week, and I believe that you misled the House. You blamed the courts. There was misinformation in a lot of what was said. Will you take the…
I join my colleague in suggesting that you misled the House last week, Minister. Many of us believed that your statement was clear and concise and, indeed, lauded the fact that you had a copy of the judgement, which was a deflection on your part. Last week, when I asked you about reviewing the circumstances, you said…
I thank the Minister for coming to the House to clarify the situation. I reiterate the message that our thoughts are with the Kelly family. We can only imagine what they are going through. Minister, the more details that emerge about the release of Gary Anderson, the more troubling the decision-making process seems to…
My thoughts are also with the Kelly family, given how distressing this incident must be for them. Minister, from your statement, it is very clear that there are questions for the Departmental Solicitor's Office about how communication with the Northern Ireland Prison Service was handled in this case. Will you confirm…
I thank the Minister for her statement. Minister, you have been clear in your view that no one in the Department is responsible for what has happened. Such cases are delicate, and we have to ensure that the rights of everyone involved are protected. Our thoughts are with the Kelly family, given the re-traumatising…
What a mess, and the more that we have heard, the messier it has got. Minister, while the family of Karol Kelly welcome the steps that you have outlined today and your willingness to meet them, it is hard to convey the impact that this situation is having on them. It must also be said, Minister, that the family's…
Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I wish to make a statement to the Assembly on the case of Gary Anderson, the circumstances surrounding his compassionate temporary release, his subsequent absconding and information that has come to light following further examination of the matter. At the outset, I reiterate…
I thank the Minister for his statement, which references a "happy, healthy" start for children. Tackling child poverty and holiday hunger can help to give children and young people the best start in life, and we know that that can be done through the extension of free school meals during holiday periods. Minister,…
Thank you, Minister, for your statement, even if it is on behalf of another Minister. You highlighted the importance of affordable, high-quality childcare in enabling women to return to work or remain in work. As your Department is responsible for the gender equality strategy in that suite of social strategies, what…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. Given that so much of the theme of the meeting was around supporting communities, can the Minister explain his plans and how he will support the community and voluntary sector, which has seen massive and really devastating cuts to its funding since Brexit and the loss of EU…
Minister, was there anything specifically that you took away from the other Administrations on community cohesion that either DFC or the wider Executive could apply here to improve community cohesion?
The Minister has described childcare as being a cross-government priority. What, specifically, will the Minister do through his Department to contribute to the delivery of the early learning and childcare strategy, particularly for families experiencing disadvantage, rather than having the responsibility rest solely…
I thank the Minister for the statement. Minister, you highlighted the importance of family support to reducing inequality. Given your Department's responsibility for the anti-poverty strategy, will you tell us how the learning from the summit may factor into measures that will be brought forward in the anti-poverty…