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 thank the Member for her question. Sadly, we see instability globally. We see a lack of peace and how that has such a detrimental impact on any place. Indeed, it remains the case for here. We absolutely need there to be that underlying peace agenda in everything that we do. That is why we made the decision that, for…
I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. What will be the impact of the inclusion of the cross-cutting commitment to "Peace" in the draft Programme for Government?
With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer questions 6 and 13 together. As Members will be aware, the Together: Building a United Community strategy reflects the Executive's commitment to improving community relations here between people of different political, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Since its launch…
I thank the Member for his question. When I spoke at the NI Chamber dinner, I was representing the Northern Ireland Executive and showing our support for the vital work that our business community does. Over 1,000 people gathered at that dinner on Thursday night. It was a good opportunity for us, and for me on behalf…
Minister, when you were at the dinner on Thursday night — I do not begrudge you a night out — the Infrastructure Minister was on TV explaining that he does not think that there are fundamental challenges with how NI Water is funded. Clearly, there are, in that houses are not being built and major infrastructure…
I thank the Member for her question and commend the NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry for a very successful event. When I said, "Computer says no", it was the event on Thursday night that jumped into my mind. The Member is absolutely right about there being a can-do attitude. There is optimism throughout the…
I was at the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry president's banquet dinner last week, as was the deputy First Minister, Sinéad and others. That was a wonderful occasion, and you spoke, deputy First Minister, about the investment strategy. There was such a can-do attitude in the room. To what degree will…
I thank the Member for her question. That will be key to delivering against the nine priorities, which have been set out in the Programme for Government. In the public consultation, there was a very positive response to all nine priorities, but the Member is absolutely right that, if we are to achieve those…
On 'The View', the Infrastructure Minister did not recognise the Northern Ireland Water figure that 19,000 developments cannot be connected due to capacity issues. We know that the connection problem is an issue for housing associations that are trying to get houses onto the system. The draft housing strategy will be…
I thank the Member for her important question. Investment in good infrastructure of the right type is an absolutely critical foundation of growing our economy and the delivery of public services in Northern Ireland. Day in, day out, we see the challenges that public infrastructure can bring to service delivery and the…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an leas-Chéad Aire as a freagraí go dtí seo. She will, no doubt, agree that investing in infrastructure is key to growing our economy. Can the deputy First Minister, therefore, outline how she will ensure the successful delivery of the investment strategy?
The investment strategy proposes a positive vision for the next 30 years, including detailed plans for investment and enabling actions over the next decade. It encompasses all areas of public infrastructure and includes a framework for planning and prioritising infrastructure investment. It also sets out the outcomes…
I thank the Member for her question. The support that we can give will be, largely, through the Health Department. However, as I mentioned, we wrote to the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Health to pick up a number of the issues and, quite frankly, the frustrations about not getting answers that were expressed…
I thank the Member for his question. The Health Minister takes the lead on those issues, but, of course, it is important to speak directly. We will certainly look into that. I do not believe that we have received a request, but, if we have, we will certainly look at it. It has been incredibly powerful to hear…
UKCV Family has reached out to contact the First Minister and the deputy First Minister. Will the deputy First Minister give a commitment to the House that she and the First Minister will reach out to the UKCV Family charity?
I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer, for meeting Vaccine Injured and Bereaved Support and for the actions that came out of that meeting. She may not be aware that not only does VIBS-NI operate and do sterling work in Northern Ireland, but there is a new charity called UKCV Family, which represents all the…
We met Vaccine Injured and Bereaved Support on 10 July 2024. The group shared its concerns and experiences with us in what was a powerful and emotive meeting. We thank those people for being so open with us about their difficult and painful experiences. We know that it was not easy for them to come along and tell of…
Absolutely. The Member is absolutely correct. A draft business plan was submitted, but it included some aspirations around further works that would be required. Most of those were to do with health and safety and the protection of the site. As the Member will be aware, the budget is incredibly difficult, and many of…
Previously, it was said that the business plan would be revised now that the outcome of the internal relocation exercise is known. Will the deputy First Minister provide us with an update on that work, please?
I thank the Member for her question. I understand that the Member attended the site and spoke with the board there just last week. As outlined in that debate, there will be a process of engaging with the board in relation to its views on the way forward. The board was appointed just recently. Its members have been in…
In April, my colleague Sorcha Eastwood led an Adjournment debate on the Maze/Long Kesh site. In that, the First Minister remarked that you would get options from the board on how to proceed to unlock the potential of the site. What options did the board provide you with on how to unlock the potential of the site, and…
Absolutely. I say that as one of the MLAs for Lagan Valley in which the site sits. There is a recognition that that would require investment. Of course, we must move forward with consensus on the site. We must move forward in a way that does not cause any further hurt or offence from the site. As regards any…