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.
Minister, I will follow on from the theme that we were exploring. How will you work with Minister Lyons and his officials to develop any new energy efficiency scheme, and how should any scheme designed as part of those efforts benefit everyone or as many people as possible, including those in the private rented sector?
My Department continues to work closely alongside the Utility Regulator and the Consumer Council to ensure that energy is affordable for all customers. We meet the price-controlled energy suppliers for natural gas and electricity to review tariffs quarterly. That is part of the Utility Regulator's regulatory processes…
Our senior officials sit on the fuel poverty strategy board as well as the housing supply strategy board. We are encouraging the move away from fossil fuels. Not only does it make good economic sense, but it will be a key part of our targets for reducing carbon emissions. We will continue to engage. I met Minister…
Minister, you mentioned the decarbonisation of homes. That will go a long way to decarbonising Northern Ireland. What action have you taken with the Minister for Communities to ensure that steps are being taken to move houses away from fossil fuel dependency?
I will answer the second question first. Of course, we will look at that. A significant project relating to warm homes is being brought forward by the incoming British Government. I had correspondence on that recently and wrote back to the Minister responsible for it to see whether any synergies could be made there. I…
I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, some two years ago, your predecessor, who is now the Communities Minister, indicated to me that the regulatory powers of the Utility Regulator would be reviewed under the energy supply strategy. Will you provide an update on that? If the Speaker will indulge me, will you…
DFC takes the lead on the fuel poverty strategy. However, the actions that will deliver change sit across government. Therefore, we have collective responsibility to support the people who are worst impacted on by fuel poverty. My Department has several areas of policy responsibility that can positively influence fuel…
The MOD consultation response came in very late in the process. There was a period of, perhaps, nine months in which no issue was raised by the MOD. When the project was about to move on, it suddenly came in with objections. I have raised that with British Ministers in Whitehall and asked them to expedite the matter…
North Channel Wind has been developing a significant offshore project. Recently, a pause has been put on it through the consultation. The MOD asked for it to be stopped due to submarine activity. Minister, what are you doing to unleash that major project? We are really struggling to meet our renewable targets.
Interconnection, wherever it comes from — of course, there is a North/South interconnector and another one in the planning system — gives more security of supply and also gives more opportunity for competitive prices. That can come from any direction. Ultimately, if we want to get to security of supply and security…
Since the Northern Ireland market has become integrated with that of the Republic, many hard-pressed homeowners and businesses in Northern Ireland have seen a divergence from the lower power prices in the rest of the United Kingdom and a trend towards the higher prices in the Republic. Does the Minister believe that…
I had conversations on all renewable sources, including tidal energy, with Eamon Ryan when he was the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications. He will no longer be the Minister. I am happy to pick that up with the incoming Minister. I have to say that, in the areas that we have been prioritising,…
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit a tidal research facility at Strangford lough to see the benefits of tidal energy here in Northern Ireland. What conversations has the Minister had with his Scottish counterpart concerning potential investment in hydropower and tidal energy?
I assure him that we are moving as fast as we can. We recognise that security of energy supply and our focus on having an energy supply that is not reliant on fossil fuels is critical not just for CO2 targets and carbon reduction targets but for the security of supply for our businesses and homes right across the…
I thank the Minister for his remarks. He will be aware that a new interconnector has been given approval by Ofgem. That interconnector is important for the whole island's energy market and system. However, real concerns are being expressed about whether it is going to be delivered on time because of the length of time…
Electricity interconnectors are an important tool in delivering the energy strategy and Climate Change Act targets. They act to improve the security of electricity supplies and allow us to export and import electricity when our system requires it. The Kilroot-Scotland project will also require a licence approval from…
Significant planning is already ongoing. I met the chamber of commerce in Portrush golf club, and we received a presentation from the organisers about some of the things that are going on. We also had an opportunity at the Irish Open in County Down over the course of the summer to discuss improvements to the…
Minister, the British Open will return to Royal Portrush next year. Do you have any plans for a showcase event, for example, to maximise the tourism opportunities right across Northern Ireland?
I am sure that if the Member keeps telling himself that he has led that charge, he at least will believe it, but I am not sure that many others will. The conversation about the benefits of the use of tourism brands on this side of the border predates his involvement in politics by some time. Of course, that…
The Minister will know that I have led the charge on the inclusion of counties Armagh and Down in the Ireland's Ancient East tourism brand. Does he agree that the growth of the tourism industry in my constituency could be turbocharged through the extension of the Fáilte Ireland brands into the North, particularly…
I met Seema Malhotra MP, who is the Home Office Minister for Migration and Citizenship, on 13 November regarding the ETA scheme and to press for solutions to protect our tourism industry. Of course, our tourism industry has been voicing very serious concerns about the scheme. It is vital that we have seamless…
What is the Department doing to assess and address the risks that the British Government's electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme poses to the tourism industry?
I am sure that the Member is as familiar as I am, certainly anecdotally, with the fact that the volume of traffic that came from South to North on the island in the COVID period was probably unprecedented. Recent statistics that NISRA published indicate that that volume increased significantly and has continued to…
I thank the Minister for his answer. Given the lack of data published by NISRA through the COVID years and right up to 2023, it is a bit disappointing that we have not got a capture of the day trips, staycationing in Northern Ireland and the travel between Northern Ireland and the Republic that went on. Has the…