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.
Cuirim fáilte roimh an díospóireacht, agus gabhaim buíochas leis na Comhaltaí sin a mhol an rún seo. Ar dtús, ba mhaith liom a rá go bhfuil ár saoránaigh atá ar slabhra ag an andúil — andúil sna drugaí, san alcól nó sa chearrbhachas — agus a bhfuil cónaí orthu áit ar bith sa Tuaisceart, chan amháin san iarthuaisceart,…
The issue of substance use and addiction is of utmost importance, particularly in the north-west. As we have heard, it has touched the lives of so many individuals, families and communities across our society. I particularly acknowledge those who are dealing with the grief of losing a loved one to addiction and the…
Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Although my party will support its amendment, it is happy to support the Alliance amendment. Addiction does not discriminate. It can enter anyone's life, either personally or through the struggles of a loved one. Whilst addiction knows no boundaries in whom it can affect, it…
Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank the Opposition for tabling the motion. We in the Alliance Party are happy to support it. I will propose our amendment to the motion, seeking to improve what are already strong foundations. I will talk about our amendment before touching on the motion more widely. Our…
I thank the Member for giving way. This is, indeed, a hugely important area, and it is close to my heart not only as a local MLA but personally. Does the Member agree that, if those who are struggling with addiction cannot access to the support and services that they need, that has a direct consequence for families,…
I beg to move Thank you, Principal Deputy Speaker. I welcome the opportunity to propose our motion in recognition of how much pain addiction causes in our communities across the North, focusing in particular today on the north-west. I thank the Minister of Health for being here. I thank his predecessor as Health…
Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. What a useful and interesting debate we have had on the first motion of our SDLP Opposition day on job creation and cross-border cooperation in the north-west. There have been lots of constructive comments and a little bit of sniping. That is fine. We are the Opposition, and we…
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I very much welcome the opportunity to discuss the north-west, job creation and our economy. I speak as somebody who was born and bred in Londonderry and who is very proud of the place that I represent. I have now been elected for 15 years and have served in the council and here at the…
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Tá áthas orm a bheith ábalta labhairt thar ceann an Aire ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo. The motion references the benefits of dual market access. Minister Archibald sends her apologies as she is in Berlin, in part to raise awareness among companies in Germany and the EU more…
On a point of order, a Cheann Comhairle . Earlier, I attended the excellent event for Seachtain na Gaeilge in the Seanad . I commend you for organising that event. However, I became so engrossed in engaging with some of the visitors that I clean forgot that I had a question for oral answer. I apologise to you and your…
Absolutely. One of the first engagements that I had when I came into post was with NI Water's chief executive and chair, because it is very important to me that we work closely together to address the waste water constraints. We have a shared aim in achieving that, and this will, undoubtedly, help to facilitate new…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. Does the Minister agree that the Department and NI Water should be working closely together to prioritise unlocking more housing connections in west Belfast?
Of the additional £19·5 million provided to NI Water during October monitoring, £7 million has been allocated to addressing waste water constraints in the upper Falls area of west Belfast. That investment will facilitate the progression of seven new housing developments, comprising around 1,200 homes, as well as five…
Including that of the Member and many others whom the A5 serves, so many families have been impacted on in that way. I am very cognisant of that. I hope that we will see a conclusion to the current legal case at the earliest possible stage. It is listed for hearing in the High Court on 18 March, with an expected time…
Go raibh maith agat, Minister. You know that I have very personal reasons for having an interest in the A5 and how it is progressed. When do you expect to receive a judgement following the hearing?
I reiterate that I am working really hard and at pace to ensure that the A5 is delivered. We must ensure that the A5 is delivered at the earliest possible stage. I and my officials have been having regular liaisons with our counterparts in the South of Ireland on that critical project. As recently as last week, at a…
I can advise that the biennial MOT testing consultation presents a number of options for testing as well as considering road safety, environmental impact, insurance premiums and the potential impact on the local automotive industry. In considering the way forward for vehicle testing, I will factor in the responses…
Thank you, Minister. Yes, constituency offices have been lobbied heavily on it. Do you expect biennial MOT testing to ensure a permanent reduction in waiting times?
In each of the past three years, the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) has conducted over 1·1 million vehicle tests, which are the highest numbers ever recorded. In June last year, my predecessor, Minister O'Dowd, introduced temporary exemption certificates for five- and seven-year-old cars within specified date ranges.…
Yes. I hope to see that happen in the fairly near future. I will keep members of the Committee for Infrastructure updated. As I have said, road safety is a huge priority for me, because we are witnessing the highest number of deaths on our roads, many of whom, sadly, now are pedestrians. It is therefore incumbent on…
I thank the Minister for her answer. There is a lot of positive feedback in the review report. In my local area, the 20 mph zones have been well received by parents and school staff. I will press the Minister on time frames. Is she confident that the scheme will be rolled out further in the incoming financial year?
I thank the Member for raising the issue. It is something that I lobbied for strongly prior to my becoming Minister. It is a piece of work that, like my predecessor, I am very keen to see rolled out where possible. I met officials at the end of last week to look at the review and to discuss where we go next. I have a…
Absolutely. It goes without saying that we should not be seeing raw sewage on any of our public footways or in areas that the public use. The Member has reiterated why there is a real need to progress the scheme more quickly. The reality is that the funding is not there, but that does not mean that we stand still. We…