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 have constantly engaged with representatives of the Dublin Government about the all-island rail review and how we get connectivity across the island. That is ongoing work in my Department and through the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) sectoral meetings. I will engage with the new Administration on that…
When does the Minister intend to engage his counterparts in the Republic of Ireland, since the formation of the new Government, in his aspirations to encourage more people off roads and onto public transport and with regard to the delivery of the all-island rail review and other cross-border infrastructure projects?…
I thank the Member for her question. I add my gratitude to all DFI, NI Water and Translink staff, who performed humongous tasks over the weekend and continue to do so today to bring public services back online. York Street interchange is a central part of my deliberations on major projects and how we move that…
I thank the Minister. I record my thanks to DFI staff for their work over the weekend. It seems a bit crass to be talking about the major roads programme when we see the destruction that is across even rural roads in the likes of my constituency. It may seem strange that I am not advocating just for my constituency…
I thank the Member for her assistance in that matter. Cooperation across the Floor is always very helpful. I hope to be in a position in the next number of short weeks to make a formal announcement to the Assembly on which projects we will move forward. It has taken slightly longer than I hoped, but, when dealing with…
No problem at all, Minister. The question is: "To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on when details will be provided on the review of the prioritisation of the major roads programme."
All local landowners whose land has been vested will have received communications from my Department on how the process will develop from this point onwards. They will be advised to obtain the services of a land agent, who will be suitably qualified to negotiate and engage with the Department on their behalf under…
Farmers and landowners will be put under pressure by the figure that they might receive for compensation. I understand that they are not to be better off, but they will definitely be worse off because they cannot replace the land that has been taken from them. Obviously, the price of land will go up because everybody…
I will clarify the matter in writing if I am incorrect, but my understanding is that, under the terms of the court case, there is a cap on the costs because of the nature of the legislation under which the objection has been lodged. It is outside my remit or powers, or indeed my legal team's powers and the powers of…
I thank the Minister for the update on this all-important project. The Minister and his Department are working to see the road fully developed. We await the court case that is due in March. I attended the initial hearing. Will the Minister tell us what power or influence he has to ensure that his Department objects to…
We have worked very closely with the Department of Transport in Dublin throughout the project and engaged with it on a number of matters. It is vital that we work not only with the Department of Transport but with the relevant councils on how the road networks link up. That work is at an advanced stage, and it is part…
I thank the Minister for his response. Minister, will you outline the level of engagement that there is with the road authorities in the South, particularly on the link between the new A5 and the N2 in Monaghan and the N14 in Letterkenny, Donegal?
Following Executive agreement on 2 October 2024, I announced my decision to proceed with the length of this vital flagship scheme that runs between the south of Strabane and Ballygawley, which is 55 kilometres of its 85 kilometre total. On 13 November, the Department received a formal legal challenge to my decision.…
It is important that the Department work in tandem with councils on their local development plans so that we recognise councils' plans for development in their area and so that councils know what the Department's plans are through the eastern transport plan. The transport plan, when published, will take into account…
The Minister has talked about the eastern transport plan. I am concerned that large swathes of land in the Ballymena area that are zoned for new roads will never see those roads be built. Has the Department given any consideration to doing away with the proposals in order to allow the land to be released for local…
My Department is undertaking a consultation on the active travel delivery plan. I encourage Members and members of the public to engage with it. A number of public events are taking place, and there is an opportunity for members of the public and elected representatives to respond online. Members know their local area…
Taxis form part of the public transport network, and taxi services are the part of that network that allows customers to travel from door to door. We have opened up the transport links in and around Grand Central station in particular, so it is important that we ensure that part of our public transport system is…
Thank you, Minister. It is welcome to hear that the eastern transport plan aims to move towards more sustainable modes of travel. How is that in line with your Department's launching of a consultation on allowing even more taxis in bus lanes, however?
The eastern transport plan is one of eight local transport plans that my Department is developing in parallel with each council's local development plan (LDP) process. The eastern transport plan is the largest of the local plans and covers the five councils of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Ards and North Down, Belfast…
I am disappointed that we are still here debating the same issue of food insecurity and poverty. In September, Executive parties stood in the Chamber lamenting rising child poverty. Last year, the same parties vowed to tackle holiday hunger and reduce dependency on food banks. What has been done and what has changed?…
I, too, thank the proposers for tabling this important motion. Today, we are confronted with the grim reality that, over the past five years, the number of emergency food parcels distributed by Trussell Trust food banks to children in Northern Ireland has risen by 90%. That is a staggering and shameful figure. Worse…