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 appreciate the Minister's giving way. He is generous and always up for a debate. He and I agree that there should not be a border on this island. I do not think that there should be a border in democratic culture. He will agree that there is a very robust Opposition in Dáil Éireann. In fact, they are fighting for…
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Members who contributed to this important debate. A range of interesting but, perhaps, not always accurate views was expressed. The key to these matters is what we do with every pound that we raise through rates increases. It is never popular to come into a…
The Executive have finally agreed an inflation-busting increase, but it is not a pay increase for our public-sector workers; it is a 5% hike to the domestic regional rate. Whilst the domestic regional rate has risen by 5% this year, the non-domestic regional rate has risen by 3%, which reflects the pressure that…
The Member is right that there was no detailed discussion on this necessarily, but does he accept, and does he agree, that lots of the things that were done to raise revenue were not due to difficult political decisions being made, but related to uprating Ordnance Survey fees and hospital canteen issues? The idea that…
I support the regional rates order, and I will support the related orders that are before the Assembly today. There will, no doubt, be Members who will, in the course of the debate, oppose any uplift to the regional rate. I encourage any Member who takes that stance to articulate how they would fund their proposed…
I thank the Minister for bringing the Rates (Regional Rates) Order to the House. As the only major tax over which the Executive have control, the regional rate is a vital source of income that supports the delivery of our public services. In setting rates annually, it is important that a balance be achieved between…
I am happy to take your guidance, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am coming towards the end of my remarks anyway. I make no apology, however, for connecting the Rates (Regional Rates) Order to our Programme for Government, because this is the only time that we come to the Chamber to debate a revenue-raising tool. We often come…
I beg to move As Members will be aware, the order is made annually to set the regional rate. Members will also be aware from the written ministerial statement of 19 December 2024 of the regional rates levels on which the draft Budget was predicated. Those levels were agreed by the Executive in January to ensure that…
On a point of order, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I do not seek to challenge your ruling from earlier today, but, on the issue of the Comptroller and Auditor General giving a disclaimed opinion on the Department for the Economy accounts, which is an unprecedented step involving a huge amount of public funding, my…
I stand proudly in the Chamber today to mark Commonwealth Day, which is celebrated across the world. Today marks the day when nations join together in an act of unity. The Commonwealth is an important and not insignificant body. It is home to 2·7 billion people and includes advanced economies and developing countries.…
I pay tribute to a local housing champion and outstanding public servant. Noel McNulty, who is from Strabane, served the Housing Executive and the people of Strabane for 41 years, which is an incredible achievement. Throughout those 41 years, he was there at first hand supporting with absolute kindness and compassion…
I welcome the announcement that the world's largest festival of Irish music and dance is set to take place in Belfast in 2026. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will be held from 2 to 9 August in Belfast. It will be only the second time that it has been hosted in Northern Ireland, with Derry holding the festival in 2013 and…
I associate myself with Mr Kelly's remarks. As a Crusaders man, it is hard for me to say it, but congratulations to Cliftonville on the win yesterday. I raise the farcical issue of Belfast City Council's dual-language street-sign policy and abuse of the democratic processes at Belfast City Council. Just last week,…
FlaggedIrish language, Ulster-Scots and language policyCriteria met: Identity framing, Cultural grievance politics, Controversy escalation.
I associate myself with Matthew O'Toole's remarks about Eamonn. I am a blow-in to Loughinisland — I have lived there for 12 years — from a neighbouring village. The villages are harsh rivals on the football pitch, but Eamonn was always so welcoming to me. I had many chats with him about history. I offer my condolences…
Last week, a £1·6 billion deal with Thales for 5,000 air-defence missiles was announced. The deal will involve the creation of 200 new jobs — — and the opening of a third Thales site in the North. The contract will be funded by a deal that is underwritten by UK Export Finance. Last October, the UK Government announced…
Today, I warmly and delightedly welcome the fact that the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will come to the great city of Belfast next year. It is the 75th anniversary of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. In 2026, it will come to the North for only the second time and, for the first time, to this brilliant city — Ireland's…
As a declaration of interest, I say that I am the vice chair of the board of governors at Kilbride Central Primary School — a school noted throughout south Antrim for its strong school leadership and great teaching staff, in one of the most friendly and nurturing rural environments. In many ways, it is a thriving…
The COVID Day of Reflection is important not just because of the huge sense of loss that we all feel but because of how we should better prepare ourselves for when, inevitably, the next pandemic strikes. It is a day when we think about the families and friends of the 3,445 people who died here in Northern Ireland…
I congratulate Ballyholme Primary School in my constituency on winning in four very different events over the past week. That is an incredible achievement across a diverse range of sporting and non-sporting activities. Ballyholme Primary School is my alma mater. I am proud that the school has retained the same values…
A Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle, as you know, yesterday was a momentous day for North Belfast and the Reds fans across the North. The build-up to the final of the BetMcLean Cup was incredible, with thousands of fans getting behind the team and showing their passion and belief, and the players delivered when it mattered…
Mr Gildernew asked the Minister of Health to provide an update on the restoration of the cross-border healthcare scheme, given the pressures on the Department of Health and the recent increased allocation in the Programme for Government.
Mr Beattie asked the Minister of Health whether, in light of some media reports today of concerns around toilets and changing facilities in the five health and social care trusts, he will commit to tasking officials to engage urgently with the trusts on the matter.