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.
First, I will advocate for only myself — no one else — because I cannot speak on behalf of my colleagues. Of course, I encourage the Commission to take note of the opt-out option — I have already indicated that at the Commission — which could be used if some Members do not want to take the increase. Whether you take…
I will not be as long as you were. The Member said that a decision has not been made on a pay increase. Will he confirm that, if there is to be a 28% pay increase for MLAs, he and his party will advocate at the Commission for a 28% pay increase for workers in the Building?
I thank the Member for his intervention. Of course, I distance myself and the current membership from the misuse of public moneys. There was an issue in the past, and that was recognised, hence the establishment of the independent panel, the purpose of which was to fix some of those things. The recommendations were…
I thank the Member for giving way. MLAs' pay is obviously a prickly subject, and one that will pique the public's interest. As a former member of the Commission, I am happy to put on record the fact that, on multiple occasions, the Commission decided not to move on something that would have been difficult for us to…
I will address some of the comments that have been made. I was not down on the list to speak, but, even though my intervention was considered long, I probably needed a few more seconds to cover all my points. The previous Member to speak put things on the record, so I will put on record the fact that I let no cat out…
Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Interventions are meant to be brief, and the Member's was a bit long. He may have let the cat out of the bag when he said that we are working on the presumption that there will be a pay increase for MLAs. I do not know whether he has more to reveal on the subject. He can…
I understand the Member's point about comparisons with the public sector, and he cites the 5·5% for one year. We are working on the presumption that MLAs will get a pay rise, but the fact is that the Commission is asking an independent body to do that work. You are deciding what that body will do. Do you not agree…
I oppose the motion, which is a clear attempt to move the dial on a familiar conversation: MLA pay and allowances. The motion reminds us that MLA salaries and pensions are determined by an independent body, effectively laying the groundwork for an inevitable and substantial salary increase for MLAs under the guise of…
The motion begins by noting: "Members’ salaries and pensions should be determined by an independent body". Really? It does that in a context where the briefing to assist the Audit Committee's scrutiny of the Assembly Commission's budget for 2025-26 said: "given that Members' Salaries have not been reviewed since 2016,…
I will find the right words. I have come down without paper. As has been said, the motion is technical in nature but is consistent with previous Assembly decisions. It would not introduce any changes to Members' or former Members' allowances; such changes would require a subsequent determination by the Assembly…
I beg to move Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I move the motion on behalf of the Assembly Commission to make a technical addition to the Assembly Commission's functions, which is consistent with decisions previously made by the Assembly. I will briefly set out some background for the benefit of Members.…
The King's Award for Voluntary Service is the highest accolade that can be awarded by the monarch to community and voluntary organisations in the United Kingdom. I was absolutely delighted that the amazing Queens Park Women's Group was announced as a recipient of that award this year. Forged just 15 years ago by two…
Yesterday, the Minister of Education came to the House to make a ministerial statement on controlled schools and on the announcement of £710,000 in funding for a new football pitch at Lisneal College. I want to be clear: Lisneal College is a fantastic school. It has made huge strides in recent years, thanks, in no…
Yesterday evening, along with party colleagues and members of the greater Shankill policing subgroup, I attended a fantastic Protestant/unionist/loyalist (PUL) reference, engagement and listening (REal) event at the Spectrum Centre on the Shankill Road, where we met the Chief Constable, the Deputy Chief Constable and…
This week is National Apprenticeship Week. I will be honest and say that, before joining the Economy Committee, I did not know much about apprenticeships, but the reality is that they are a game changer. They help to grow our economy, tackle poverty and inequality and fill crucial skills gaps. They offer a practical…
Ó fógraíodh an sos cogaidh in Gaza an 19 Eanáir, tá Iosrael ag cur lena chuid ionsaithe ar Phalaistínigh sa Bhruach Thiar, sin dar leis an ghrúpa Iosraelach ar son chearta an duine, B’Tselem. Is beag má bhí an sos cogaidh fógartha go raibh sráidbhailte, bailte móra agus gach cathair sa Bhruach Thiar faoi léigear ag…
I acknowledge the 10th anniversary of the Castlewellan parkrun, which takes place every Saturday at 9.30 am in the grounds of Castlewellan Forest Park. Admittedly, I do not partake in parkrun as often as I should like, but it is a fantastic event that takes place in the town. There are also events in Rostrevor and…
On Sunday 2 February 2025, the Shore Road at Rostrevor in my constituency of South Down was finally reopened to two lanes of traffic, having had one lane blocked and temporary traffic measures in place for the past 15 months and a couple of days since the storm in October/November 2023. Some in the Chamber may be sick…
I will highlight a meeting that Sinn Féin representatives held recently with ME Support NI to hear about the invaluable support that it is providing to ME patients. ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, is a long-term chronic and painful neurological illness. Over 7,000 people in the North are living with ME,…
It is with some sadness that I rise to report the passing yesterday of our well-liked ex-mayor, councillor and UUP association chair, Jim Montgomery. Jim was a prominent political figure in South Antrim, particularly the town of Antrim — a town that he was immensely proud to represent and with which he had a strong…
I raise an issue that is central to our commitments under section 75(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, specifically the concept of "good relations", which is a term that, despite its frequent use, lacks a statutory definition. The omission has created ambiguity over and practical implications for policy development…