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.
Not only is the motion dripping in hypocrisy in most parts but it demonstrates a certain lack of self-awareness by the Members who tabled it. The phrase "hurler on the ditch" springs to mind. Some in the Chamber will know what that phrase means. If the signatories to the motion do not know its meaning, they could…
I support the motion, and I thank my DUP colleagues for tabling it. I am sure that all Members will agree with the key points that the motion raises, particularly the concern that we have seen little progress on reducing waiting lists, which remain the longest in Europe. On 30 June 2024, the median waiting time for an…
First, I disassociate myself and my party from the remarks in some elements of the media this morning when they covered this topic, stating that the debate was about "turning guns" on or "firing shots" at the Health Minister. That language is completely unhelpful and untrue. My party and, I think, the Chamber want to…
I support the motion. Like many others in the Chamber, I share the frustration and the genuine concerns about the delays that have held back this vital project. Of course, accountability of public money and the massive overspend is very important and something that we need to follow up on. I agree with the suggestions…
I will make the sole contribution on behalf of the Opposition, although, so far, you would not think it by the way that our Executive parties are lifting lumps out of each other when it comes to yet another disaster and yet another discussion about how huge sums of money have been spent in a way that raises eyebrows…
As Members, we are all too aware through our constituency offices and, for some of us, through personal experience of the huge challenges that face our health service. In many ways, the motion is similar to the many others that make their way into the weekly Order Paper, highlighting something that is wrong, followed…
I support the motion that my DUP colleague on the Health Committee has proposed. I will speak to a number of aspects of it. I will give most of my attention to the maternity and children's hospital, as the proposer did. First, I will highlight a few points. I do not want to politicise the motion. I am often critical…
I support the motion. I will focus on the essential need for the hospital and on the transformative impact that it will have on the people of the North. At its core, the hospital represents more than just bricks and mortar: it is a lifeline for families and a place where children can receive the care that they need…
I beg to move Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. The motion is wide-ranging and covers a number of elements of the problems that we face in the health service. However, I will concentrate my remarks on the maternity and children's hospital project. We are all supportive of the ambition to have a new children's…
I thank the Member for giving way. That was a big point of discussion in the Committee. Does the Member envisage there being a point in the future, if the provision for substitute members does not work, when proxy voting could be explored further by the Committee?
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. As Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures, I welcome the opportunity to conclude today's debate on the motion to amend Standing Orders to provide for the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee to substitute members. I thank all those who have taken part in today's debate for…
The Democratic Unionist Party acknowledges that it is appropriate to provide in Standing Orders for the underpinning of the Committees established in this place. On that basis, I align myself with the Chair's comments, particularly on substitute members and the provision thereof. I thank the Chair and members of the…
I thank the Member for giving way. Whilst she is talking about the review, one of the issues that come to my mind is the provision for the Chair, in the event that the Chair and Deputy Chair are not present, to be the oldest serving Member. Would it not make more sense for it to be the longest-serving Member of that…
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. On behalf of the Committee on Procedures, I am pleased to introduce a new Standing Order, which recognises the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee as a Standing Committee of the Assembly and provides for substitute members of that Committee to assist it in fulfilling its…
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to our security team and members of the PSNI, who have just been forced to remove anti-Israeli protesters from the Great Hall. People in this place are entitled to express their views in a democracy. They are not entitled to access parts of…
I thank the Members who contributed to the debate. Before I sum up, I will say that I look forward to going to Fermanagh and South Tyrone tomorrow to visit Encirc. I think that we all agree that it is a good example of the circular economy and decarbonisation in action, so I look forward to going there. It is just one…
I intend to speak briefly. I will try to avoid absolute repetition of what has been said, but I will also speak to the greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme. I stress that the UK-wide strategies for environmental protection, such as this scheme, are essential in order to address the challenges of climate change. I…
I thank the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone for her intervention, and I agree with her. I have had the pleasure of visiting the Encirc site to see the incredible work that the company does. Like so many companies in Northern Ireland, it is leading the way on the circular economy. Although we appreciate that…
I thank the Member for giving way. In my constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Encirc, which is a glassmaking company, has done significant work on decarbonising its production. It is a global company, and it is important that we see such pioneering initiatives. Does the Member agree with me that it is important…
The intention of the UK emissions trading scheme is to incentivise the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions while recognising the importance of maintaining competitiveness in our economy. The draft Order flows from amendments being made to the scheme across the UK and, perhaps most significantly, reduces the base cap…
An emissions trading scheme, if properly designed and operated, is an efficient and practical means of helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All too often, the burden of carbon reduction schemes falls on the consumer, not the producer. A well-designed ETS could help restore that balance. Indeed, until Brexit was…
I beg to move I am grateful for the opportunity to move the motion. The UK emissions trading scheme (UK ETS) was established in 2020 under the Climate Change Act 2008 by the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020 as a UK-wide greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme to encourage cost-effective emissions…
On 21 November 1974, two pubs in Birmingham, the Mulberry Bush and the Tavern in the Town, were bombed by the IRA. The first bomb exploded a mere six minutes after a telephone warning. With the second pub situated below ground level and crowded with more than 100 young people, the slaughter was entirely predictable.…
Last week, I attended an event on heart failure and heart disease organised by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Heart Failure Warriors and was made aware of some startling statistics. In the United Kingdom alone, there are 200,000 new diagnoses of heart failure every year, and Northern Ireland accounts for about…
We all love to see the pictures on social media of the older folk in our communities visiting schools and sharing tech experience or gardening tips with the younger generation. There are mutual social benefits from that work, but it does not happen without facilitation. Since 2009, Linking Generations Northern Ireland…