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Minister, you said that you were not developing a scheme at the minute, but, if you were, would you consider putting in conditions so that public money would not be given to organisations that are hostile to unions, do not pay a real living wage or use zero-hours contracts? Would you support such conditions in a…
I know that the Member has raised that issue with me previously. I am sympathetic to businesses that are being impacted by works that are beyond their control. The Member is aware that rate relief is available through the hardship scheme for businesses that suffer from impacts that are beyond their control. The award…
Minister, I have been in touch with you about the plight of businesses on Foyle Street in my constituency that have suffered hugely due to protracted works by Northern Ireland Water in the area and are seeking relief on their rates bills. The process of revaluation is intrusive, exhausting and expensive for those…
I first circulated my proposals for consideration by the Executive on 10 October. The proposals included details on a potential consultation on certain rating policy measures. I subsequently asked that my paper be considered at four meetings of the Executive: on 17 October, 7 November, 11 November and 21 November. I…
As I have said on a number of occasions, I have brought forward proposals to the Executive on my approach to taking a more strategic look at the rating system in the short, medium and longer term. I hope to communicate to Members on that in more detail in the near future.
I have had significant engagement with businesses, as the Member will appreciate. I understand that they face a range of issues, a lot of which are outwith our control and are because of decisions that have been made by the British Government as recently as the Budget statement. Like, I am sure, other Members, I have…
Minister, that is a somewhat disappointing response. While I accept that the public finances are constrained, if businesses go to the wall, our rates base shrinks. Will you commit to working with the Minister for the Economy and the chambers of commerce across Northern Ireland to bring forward some level of support…
Sixty-five per cent of the hospitality sector as a whole is already in receipt of support via the small business rate relief scheme. While calls for ever-increasing rate support are prominent, the Member will appreciate that similarly vocal views on how that additional support should be funded are harder to solicit.…
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. It is important that any modern, forward-thinking society have infrastructure projects that will aid the betterment of its people, socially and economically. Setting our sights high for infrastructure capital investment should be at the forefront of all our minds. No matter how ambitious…
I beg to move Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I have brought the motion to the House to address the shocking disparity in rail fares between the North and the Republic. The simple fact of the matter is that commuters in the North are being saddled with an enormous and unequal cost burden relative to our…
I am grateful for Members' contributions to the debate. I will try to respond to the key points that were made. I will also check the Hansard report and, where appropriate, follow up with individual Members in writing if I miss anything inadvertently, as I do not want anyone to feel left out. Robbie, as Chair of the…
I thank the Member for giving way. This is a piece that has intrigued me. I know that the Member was at the briefing last week. There seemed to be a smaller uptake of the legacy aid scheme than was envisaged. I am sure that the Member will agree that to maximise participation in any new scheme is an ambition not just…
On behalf of the Alliance Party, I express our support for the proposed Agriculture Bill at Second Stage. The legislation represents a significant step forward in aiding the fruit and vegetables sector, supporting rural communities and ensuring a sustainable future for food production in Northern Ireland. The…
Like other Members, I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Agriculture Bill. Setting aside my concerns about the imprecision of the Bill's title, which, hopefully, will be revisited as it is misleading, the DUP supports the intention behind the Bill, which aims to ensure that a locally accountable Minister can…
I welcome the opportunity to speak today on the Second Stage of the Agriculture Bill. According to the Department, the Bill reflects the need to update legacy EU schemes, such as the fruit and vegetables aid scheme and agri-food promotion schemes, in the context of the post-Brexit reality. Whilst the Executive have…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an Bille a thabhairt os ár gcomhair. The SDLP welcomes the Second Stage of the Bill. I look forward to examining the Bill and its implications more closely during the Committee Stage, should it pass its Second Stage; hopefully, it will. However, it is somewhat disappointing that…
I beg to move I have brought this short Bill to the Assembly to provide for changes to two legacy EU support schemes, namely the fruit and vegetable aid scheme (FVAS) and the agri-food information and promotion scheme. The schemes have their roots in when the UK was in the EU, and, if they are to reflect post-EU…
I join others in thanking the Minister for his statement. The Foyle constituency and many primary schools throughout Northern Ireland will be thankful for the announcement, particularly the part about outdoor play equipment. Will the Minister clarify whether preschools are included? Many preschools do not have the…
I thank the Minister for the statement, which delivers on some of the commitments that he made when he gave us his vision early in his tenure. I know that many schools in my constituency, some of which he has visited, will be excited at the prospect of investment in pitches and outdoor facilities. In the modern era of…
I thank the Minister for his statement and, in particular, the emphasis on and investment in PE. We know that, with the rise of unhealthy lifestyles, PE is essential to children's lives. My question builds on the Member for North Antrim's question about kids with disabilities. Kids in special schools and their…
I join other Members in welcoming the very positive statement by the Minister. Can he set out more detail on how much each primary school will receive, how they will access those funds and how they will go about spending that money?