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Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank everyone — all the members of the Women's Caucus steering group and other Members in the Chamber — for their contribution today, in particular the chair of the steering group, Claire Sugden. I know that the issue is and has been very close to her heart, including when she was the…
I thank the chair of the caucus for tabling the motion, and I thank Nexus for 40 years of vital work, as Members said. We also have to mention that the Executive have repeatedly affirmed their commitment to tackle sexual and domestic abuse and to end violence against women, but we have to look at their track record…
That is a really important point to raise. I congratulate and thank Nexus for their work. However, I know that, for some constituent cases that I have been dealing with, the parents of children who have been abused feel that there are very limited support services for them. They have also gone through a very traumatic…
I really welcome the opportunity to speak, and I thank the members of the Women's Caucus for tabling the motion. In writing my speech, I struggled and found it difficult to articulate effectively how grateful I am for the Nexus staff. We hear all the time in our constituency offices from people who have lived through…
Sexual abuse is nothing less than a scourge on our society and, indeed, on the world in general. It is an ever-present looming shadow that knows no bounds of class, gender or creed, and its impact can be absolutely devastating. In some cases, it is the most fundamental breach of trust and the most brutal harm that can…
Does the Member agree that it is important that we understand the prevalence of abuse in order to deal with it and to have the right services in place at the right time and delivered by the right people?
I am really pleased to speak in this important debate. I thank the chair of the Women's Caucus for moving the motion. Last month, I had the privilege of attending the 40th anniversary celebration at the Nexus office in Derry. The chief executive, Joanne Barnes, took us down memory lane, and it was remarkable how much…
As a new member of the Women's Caucus, I thank its chairperson for proposing the motion. The 40th anniversary of Nexus is a significant milestone. For four decades, Nexus has been a beacon of hope and support for countless individuals impacted by sexual abuse and abusive relationships. It has been at the forefront of…
As a member of the Women's Caucus, I am proud to speak on behalf of the Alliance Party and my constituents of North Down to thank Nexus for 40 years' worth of absolutely vital assistance and help to individuals across Northern Ireland. The service that it delivers and the lifeline that it gives to those facing some of…
It is an honour to rise today to speak to this all-party motion tabled by the Northern Ireland Assembly Women's Caucus. I thank our chair for leading on the motion. With female representatives now composing over one third of the House, it has been a pleasure to join together in the Women's Caucus to discuss issues…
First, I am proud to be one of those who tabled the motion. I thank the chairperson of the Women's Caucus for proposing it. It is an important motion, and it is well worth discussing here today. I hope that we do not have to appeal to Members in the Chamber to support the motion. Given the conversations and debates…
I beg to move Thank you, Deputy Speaker. It is with appreciation and reflection that I mark the 40th anniversary of Nexus. This milestone is a recognition not just of the many years that have passed but of the lives that have been transformed and the progress that has been made in the fight against sexual and abusive…
I beg to move I am grateful for the opportunity to speak about the Arbitration Bill, which is progressing through Parliament. Arbitration is a form of dispute resolution that offers an alternative to court. Parties can agree to appoint a third party or to resolve a dispute between themselves privately and issue an…
Thank you, Minister, for your statement, even though there is nothing in it about reviewing industrial derating, which, in large part, is a handout to major corporations such as Caterpillar, Coca-Cola and Moy Park. I presume that you are happy to maintain that situation. How do you intend to reform the rates system to…
Apologies, Minister: I was not here for the start of your statement. I have a lot of constituents who are termed "property rich, cash poor" and will be concerned about the proposal to elevate the maximum capital value. Have your officials made an estimation of how much that would be in monthly rates for a household?
The Minister said today that she is starting to build a progressive rates system, but what she really said is that she is preparing to strip away reliefs. Surely it would be far better if that £4 million in savings went to our hard-working constituents, who would get much benefit from it, rather than it being in an…
I take the Minister to her short-term measures. Bearing in mind that councils strike the rates in February, will the proposal in today's statement have any impact on the rates for 2025-26, or is it for 2026-27? On that basis, given that councils deliberate over a number of months on what rate to strike, it is…
I thank the Minister for her answer. Does she have a time frame for when she expects her study on the cost of doing business to be completed? Today's statement was trailed as being urgent; what businesses need to see is urgent action.
I thank the Minister and welcome her statement and, additional to that, the fact that she intends to carry out a review of the cost of doing business here. In the Minister's discussions with businesses, today and previously, what has she heard from them about the impact of the increased employers' National Insurance…
May I agree with the Minister that the rating system may not be the ideal vehicle for the type of immediate help that is needed for our business community? Does the Minister agree that it was a dereliction of duty by the Economy Minister to fail to make a single bid for a business support package in the October…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. The Minister talked about the support available for businesses and ensuring that it meets its aims. Could the Minister outline the existing support that is available to businesses, le do thoil?