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 welcome all the contributions today. They have been useful. Indeed, I sat through the Committee meeting and heard the views of other members, who are amply able to articulate those themselves, and I think that John has been in a different place, to be honest with you. I will deal with that.
I thank the Member for his intervention. I can confirm that I am not aware of any such correspondence. If Members permit, I will now make progress. As I said, this is returning to a position that existed in 2022. We must understand the purpose of the regulations. They were established not as punitive measures but as…
I thank the Member. I am not on the Committee, as he knows. Can the Member confirm whether the Committee has had any correspondence from companies such as Moy Park regarding this prayer of annulment or the issue more generally?
I do not deliberately correct the Chair of the Committee on this, but it is not a passion; it is a prerequisite and an absolute must, if we are to save our natural environment and reverse the state of the waterways.
I thank the Member for giving way. There is no doubting the Member's passion for protecting the environment and on climate issues. However, will the Member confirm that, in reality, I have said nothing that could be contradicted? In the meetings that we had with the Department, it was very clear from anything that the…
There has been some predicting of what I am about to say. Nevertheless, I hope that I will bring a different perspective and additional information. I rise, as a member of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and as the Alliance AERA spokesperson, to state clearly that we do not support the…
I thank the Member for his intervention. Obviously, that was the process that we worked with at that time. Subordinate or secondary legislation is hugely important as a delivery mechanism for a range of measures that are permitted under primary legislation. Such measures can be delivered and changed quickly without…
I thank the Member for giving way. She has highlighted the important role of Committees and their work on regulations, and I agree with her. Does she therefore agree that it was shameful that the previous Minister introduced a cap and made secondary legislation when the Assembly was down and there was no Committee in…
I thank the Member for giving way. I am probably a bit premature in coming in, but you touch on an important point. The Infrastructure Committee, like the Agriculture Committee, has an important role in looking at legislation that is coming. Tomorrow, we will scrutinise the Department's budget, but we do not yet have…
I often hear the comment, particularly from the Opposition, that there is a lack of legislation being discussed and passed by the Assembly. While that may be true of primary legislation — not all legislation is good legislation — there is plenty of secondary legislation regularly going through our Committees, and this…
I thank the Member for giving way. He has read into the record a touching example of the challenges that many farming families face, and I would never diminish that. There are farming families who work incredibly hard under real pressure. However, will he acknowledge that he cited a 5% subsidy? By voting against the…
I thank the Member for giving way. A moment or two ago, the Member referenced his acceptance and acknowledgement of the Minister's intention to clean up our environment and tackle climate change. If he does not my mind my asking him directly, does he agree with those aims and will his speech reflect that before he…
Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I rise to speak on behalf of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and to move the motion. At the Committee meeting on 28 November, officials briefed the Committee on statutory rule (SR) 2024/211, which is the Direct Payments to Farmers…
I beg to introduce the Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill [NIA Bill 09/22-27], which is a Bill to amend the Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 to make provision about the name, functions and membership of the Independent Financial Review Panel; and for…
Thank you very much, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. What a lovely, edifying debate to wake us all up on a Tuesday morning. As stated by Nuala McAllister at the beginning of the debate, the motion essentially addresses a straightforward, technical matter. The motion is consistent with the resolution that the Assembly…
I would like to give the Member the opportunity, in the remaining seconds that he has, to correct the record. He said that Mr Allister did not take up his position on a scrutiny Committee. He wanted to be on the EU scrutiny Committee, but the big parties kept him out of it. You have to take some responsibility for…
I thank the Member for giving way. The resolution conferred the function of allowances to the Assembly Commission. That enabled Members to take maternity leave, which is something that the independent body had not provided for. I am proud that the Assembly Commission moved on that to support those in the Building with…
As someone who has a young family and does not take the full wage, I do not see how you can use that as justification for supporting a pay increase of 28% for MLAs. That does not stand up.