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.
We tabled this important motion because of the determination in the July report, which very clearly indicates that there was a breach of the ministerial code. That is unacceptable, but I know that it would suit some Members or parties if we were to continue down the road of simply brushing everything under the carpet…
It is telling that Minister Lyons and former Ministers McIlveen and Middleton are not in their place to answer for their actions, albeit they have wheeled out their colleagues to lay out a valiant defence of the indefensible. The Good Friday Agreement relies on three strands: strong relationships internally in…
Does the Member agree that our attention should be on the good governance of Northern Ireland and on ensuring that, for the rest of the term, the Assembly operates well?
I will make a few points. First, it is interesting to note the new-found interest that the SDLP has in the events of 2021. It is a pity that it did commit itself back then to working constructively to address the issues facing us in order to avoid the action that was taken. Non-attendance at North/South Ministerial…
I support the motion. The motion as framed is good, and we fully support it in its entirety, although we add that it is a pity that the opportunity was not taken to add a section on institutional reform — that very much speaks to the comments of Doug Beattie — which, if we looked at the wider piece, would include…
I thank the Member for giving way. We are highlighting an issue, but it is true to say that the Commissioner for Standards' report came out only in July of this year. We are not looking to have a fight or to score points. Rather, we are trying to set standards for the future.
I was, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I will briefly contribute to what is a very short debate about a very important issue. The motion is factual in its truth but narrow in its content, and I have to say that it points at just one party — in this case, the DUP — when the issue of breaches of the ministerial code of…
The action of DUP Ministers in the previous Executive and the subsequent legal judgement were a collective demonstration that the original protocol imposed by the EU and the UK Government caused a deterioration in political and economic stability in Northern Ireland. The concerns of unionists had been trampled on, and…
I appreciate the Member giving way. I agree with him, but does he agree that, thus far, the AERC has done virtually nothing about reform? It has met once and has not discussed any type of reform.
The parties in the Assembly are responsible for the full and complete implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, including strand two, which is the subject of today's motion. The Good Friday Agreement must not and cannot be subordinated to sectional party or governmental interests. All three strands of the agreement…
I beg to move Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Since we took up the mantle of opposition, we have been clear that we will be constructive in putting forward positive ideas. Today, in our final Opposition day of 2024, we are doing just that on EU affairs, childcare and dereliction in the heart of Belfast. We…
Once again, I rise to highlight the funding needs in Northern Ireland. In our recent Budget announcement, it was recognised that funding for Northern Ireland should based on need. That campaign has been led by the DUP, particularly our leader, Gavin Robinson MP, for some time. We are pleased to see progress. However,…
Tá sochaí faoi chomhtháthú sóisialta agus ceardchumainn láidre fite fuaite lena chéile. Is é sin bunchloch sochaí ina ndéantar na ceardchumainn agus na hoibrithe a chosaint le reachtaíocht agus leis an chomheagrú. Caithfidh sé bheith mar chuspóir príomha polaitíochta ag an Tionól seo ceardchumainn láidre a bheith ann.…
Alexander McCartney was a global sexual predator: a vile paedophile who targeted hundreds, if not thousands, of young girls across the world. He blackmailed and exploited them, ultimately resulting in the deaths of a young girl and her father from the United States. The test of any society is how it treats its…
I rise in celebration following a brilliant weekend of sport across the province, most notably my club, St Colm's Ballinascreen, becoming Ulster champions. I heartily congratulate everybody involved in the panel, particularly the management of Cathal, Paddy and Colm and the entire team. We have a brilliant mix of…
Today marks the start of Children's Grief Awareness Week 2024. It is an appropriate moment to reflect on the significant impact that bereavement can have on the life of children and young people. Data collection is not what it should be in this area, but it is estimated that, in the UK, by the age of 16, one in 29…
I express my extreme disappointment at the decision of the Post Office to consider closing the branch in Main Street, Bangor, in my constituency. An announcement was made last week that affects, potentially, over 100 other branches across the UK, which are now under serious threat of closure. The post office was…
Ba mhaith liom comhbhrón ó chroí a dhéanamh le muintir Loinsigh agus le muintir Shearcaigh faoi chailliúint thubaisteach Eoín, a fuair bás maidin Dé Domhnaigh seo chuaigh thart de dheasca taisme bóthair. Ní raibh Eoín ach 29. Go ndéana Dia A mhaith ar a anam. Gortaíodh beagnach 8,000 duine ar bhóithre sna Sé Chontae…
In recent weeks, the Minister for Infrastructure rightly made a positive announcement about the A5 upgrade. Unfortunately at the end of last week, news emerged, which the Minister has confirmed publicly, that pre-action correspondence of a potential legal challenge has been received against the upgrade. Rightly, that…
Thank you very much indeed, and, yes, I am slightly over 55, Mr Speaker. Members may not be aware that, over the past few days, we have had a very unwelcome visitor to our islands. I am not referring, as some politicians and journalists would, to the Chancellor of Queen's University, Hillary Clinton, whom I do welcome…
I rise to note the achievements of the Ireland over-50 women's, over-55 men's and over-55 women's teams, which all competed at the recent Masters Hockey World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand. All three teams finished in at least the top eight, but the over-55 women's team deserves a special mention having reached the…