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.
Northern Ireland has been a huge beneficiary of foreign direct investment from the US in particular. That is why significant time has been taken to work in the US over recent years to try to build further on that very successful FDI. Our relationship with the United States goes much further than trade: we have bonds…
To be fair, the required changes to the ministerial code pertain to particular aspects of the Executive Committee (Functions) Act that are to do with, for example, clarification of the types of matters that come to the Northern Ireland Executive for consideration and agreement. That need arose out of confusion,…
I thank the Minister for that answer. I have asked about that on multiple occasions, particularly given the lack of openness, transparency and integrity from some Ministers over the past months, especially with regards to the McMonagle affair and child safeguarding. Does the Minister agree that it is really important…
I thank the Member for his question. As I understand it, some work has been done on that. The recent legal case, however, made it clear that the ministerial code has to be read subject to decisions under the legislation, such as for example, the Executive Committee (Functions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2020. Therefore,…
I thank the Member for his follow-up question. There was a lot more that I could have said in my initial answer, but I am very conscious of the time and the length of response available to me. Of course, we are also working on those issues. We are bringing forward race relations legislation as well as, importantly,…
Minister, I do not doubt your commitment to this, but since we have come back, we have not seen progress on a stand-alone hate crime Bill from the Justice Minister, nor have we seen the publication of a racial equality strategy. We do not know when we are going to get a refugee integration strategy, and I am afraid…
I thank the Member for his important question, because it provides the opportunity, once again, to put on record our absolute rejection of racism and of any actions based on hate, discrimination or prejudice. What we saw over the summer was entirely unacceptable, and that is the message that we have been sending.…
We recognise how important the issue of clerical child abuse is. We are aware of the devastating impact that it has had on many people. The junior Ministers met victims and survivors in September through the reference group to, at first hand, hear about their experiences and restate our commitment to this important…
I thank the Member for his question. I suspect that if you went to any body and asked whether their funding is enough, it would indicate that it is not. What we do within the remit of the statutory responsibilities for each body has to fit within the overall financial position of the Executive and the Department and…
Deputy First Minister, I understand that £3·8 million has been allocated for each body once established. Can you tell us how that figure was arrived at? Can you give us your assessment of whether that funding is fair, proportionate and equitable? Will it be enough for each body?
The preparation plans for the commissioners' offices will give a sense of when it is likely that that expenditure will be required. Of course, as a principle of good public expenditure, you would not try to take that funding into a year in which it would not be accrued or spent. The commissioners are yet to be…
Minister, from a question for written answer, we know that the set-up costs for the commissioners' offices is £8·3 million, with annual running costs of £9 million. Has that money been set aside for this financial year, or, really, are we looking at it not happening until we go into the next financial year?
I thank the Member for her question. These are statutory roles, so, of course, they have statutory responsibilities, which are set down in the legislation. I imagine that the commissioners will engage with the North/South bodies and across the UK in advancing the Irish language as a recognised minority language of the…
I thank the Member for his important question, because, at its heart, the important message is that the process will be brought forward on a fair and equitable basis. That is why I welcome the fact that the business case has been prepared, advanced and agreed on the basis of the two offices initially having a fair and…
Will the Minister confirm that the business case ensures a fair and equitable approach to the Irish language commissioner and the commissioner for the Ulster-Scots and the Ulster-British tradition?
I thank the Member for his follow-up question. As I indicated in my answer to the substantive question, a lot of detail and process go into making sure that such public appointments abide by the guidance and rules of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments and that they are fair and open in the…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a freagra. A Aire, an dtiocfadh leat amlíne chruinn a thabhairt dúinn maidir leis na trí choimisinéirí a earcú? Lena chois sin, an dtiocfadh leat a léiriú dúinn cá huair a cheapfar na trí choimisinéirí go foirmeálta?
The appointment of the commissioners and the members of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression is essential to implementing the provisions of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 for which the Executive Office is responsible. As previously advised, we have instructed our officials to develop…
Sorry, I am trying to find the answer. I apologise: I cannot find it. Obviously, we abhor racism and the activities of the past few months, and we have been strong in our condemnation of them. We look forward to the review of all of the policies to make sure that racism is included and acted on. If the Member follows…
In August of this year, we saw racism and violence on our streets. I had friends and colleagues who were affected by what they saw, heard and experienced during that period. What bids have been made to address the ongoing increase in racist attacks since those scenes took place?
I thank the Member for his question. In 2024-25, approximately 61% of projects in the central good relations fund are delivering against the Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) priority "Our Children and Young People". Almost 8,000 young people will be directly impacted on as a result. In 2024-25, through…
I thank the Member for her question. The 2025-26 central good relations fund will open for applications in December 2024. Further details will be provided on the Executive Office website and on social media platforms, and emails will be issued to mailing lists, along with details of how to apply.