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I thank the Member for his question. As we have said clearly in this place before, we must all stand united against the scourge of paramilitarism. There was never any justification for terrorism or paramilitarism. There is no role for it today, in 2025, just as there was no role for it here at any time over the past…
I am pleased that the issue has been prioritised in the Programme for Government. We want to make it clear that it is a priority for us. Every single act of violence towards a woman or a girl, and every death of a woman or a girl as a result of that violence, is wrong and needs to stop. We want to do everything that…
I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. Does she agree that, although the strategy is most definitely a positive first step, we must continue to make ending violence against women and girls a top priority?
I thank the Member for her question. As the First Minister and I have indicated since we took up our respective posts just over a year ago, it is an area of key importance for us. We want to deliver not just the strategy but the framework, because that is where the action is. I am really pleased that the change funds…
Absolutely. The Member will be aware that we have supported the call for evidence so that people can come forward and tell their personal story. It is an opportunity for people to tell of their lived experience. I have no doubt that it will be very difficult for some people to go through the process, but it is such an…
I thank the Member for his important question. He will be aware that work is ongoing in that area. I pay huge tribute to all those who have worked so hard to get it to this point. I know that, for some, it is a point of frustration, but, of course, there are many different elements that were recommended in the…
It is incredibly important not only that our public appointments are independent and based on merit but that there is a strong perception that they are; indeed, we have to have those discussions about whether the process for public appointments is fit for purpose. It takes a hugely long time for public appointments to…
I thank the Member for her question. We are considering the proposals at the moment, and we hope to go out with the advertisement for the role very shortly.
Absolutely. As indicated, the UK Government need to scrap the tax. It is a farm tax on farming families. Instead of taxing our farmers even further, the Government need to stand up for them and make sure that they can continue to do the hard and great job that they do to support every one of us across Northern Ireland.
Will the deputy First Minister commit again today to working alongside the First Minister and the entire Executive to press for the proposals to be scrapped?
I welcome the Member to her place and thank her for the topical question. Absolutely: there are serious concerns in the farming community. All of us around this place have listened to the concerns articulated by our hard-working farmers and farming families. We have a strong and honourable tradition of family farming…
I absolutely agree with the Member. The people in the PSNI do an incredible and, at times, difficult job. We should take the opportunity to say, "Thank you" to them and pay tribute to all that they do. Likewise, we should pay tribute to the legacy of those who served also in the RUC in defence of so many across this…
Does the deputy First Minister further agree that, rather than the nonsense written on the pages of the 'Belfast Telegraph', one of the greatest barriers to some people applying to join the police is when they see their political leaders continue to celebrate terrorists who murdered police officers? Does she also…
I thank the Member for his important question. It is absolutely key that we move forward in this place with that sense of fairness and equity. That must be based on the best person for the job, not on discriminatory practices. That is fundamental if this place is going to move forward. I want to encourage as many…
I will be absolutely clear: we will engage with the US Administration and the president of the United States of America for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland. That includes in relation to trade, because that trading relationship is hugely important. I gently remind the Member that one has to engage with…
Thank you, deputy First Minister. My party has always believed in engaging in the US and not just with the Administration. She and I were interns many years ago in Washington, I believe, and engaged with people there. In recent weeks, people in Northern Ireland and elsewhere will have seen the new president suggest…
I thank the Member for his question. Unfortunately, unlike the SDLP, we are not in the spirit of turning down invitations that we have not yet received and may never receive. We will wait to see what comes through about that week. I notice that the Irish Government have just released information about their attendance…
Deputy First Minister, you said earlier that you and the First Minister were driving delivery: I would hate to see the instructor who passed you both in the test. I suggest that you need to revisit some of that.
I thank the Member for his question. The draft ISNI is under active consideration. Part of the challenge around the investment strategy will be the capital budget that we have available. We are currently in a one-year Budget, and that is frustrating. However, that should not hold back progress on that. It is important…
I am glad that the deputy First Minister did not indulge us on the lack of progress that the former Minister made when he was in office. However, that said, Minister, could you indicate when the investment strategy will be published?
I want all parts of Northern Ireland to thrive and succeed. As I have always said, it is simple: if we can bring those infrastructure projects in on time and on budget, we can do more with the capital allocation that we have; if those projects take longer and cost more, we can do less with it. It is that simple. That…
Does the deputy First Minister agree that investing in infrastructure is the key to growing a thriving and prosperous economy and that any investment must be fair and balanced?
I thank the Member for his question. Absolutely: doing nothing is not an option. We want to improve the processes that we have to make sure that more of our capital projects come in on time and on budget. Unfortunately, the public sector does not do large infrastructure projects well. There are all kinds of reasons…