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 his supplementary question. He will be aware that the bid for £625,000 was lodged for the central good relations fund and was fully met and that the bid for £1·5 million for the Communities in Transition (CIT) project's tackling paramilitary activity programme was lodged for June monitoring and…
I thank the junior Minister for her answer. Given that there was a reliance this year on monitoring round money to fill the gap, may we have some assurance that, next year, the full budget will be applied for up front so that the groups that work on good relations in the community can continue their work and provide…
The central good relations fund is open to all constituted voluntary and community groups, including minority ethnic groups, to deliver good relations projects where there is evidence of good relations need. Many projects provide opportunities for sustained, meaningful contact between those from different backgrounds…
I thank the Member for her question. She will be aware that the work of the redress board is winding down. However, the pain, the trauma and the issues will continue for many years beyond the closure of the scheme and will, indeed, impact those who were involved for the rest of their lives, so there are needs. We are…
I thank the Member for her question. That is a legal issue that we have examined. Indeed, it may be appropriate to have further engagement with the Committee on it. There are a number of legal aspects that make it complicated, not least the nature of the report. The report did not examine every institution, and…
I thank the Member for her question. As we head towards the closure date of the scheme next year, we want to make sure that we reach those who are entitled to that support. There have been a number of previous campaigns, including a leaflet that was put through every door. However, we want to make sure in the last…
Following on from the last point, is the Department doing anything specific to reach out to harder-to-reach victims in order to make them aware of the redress scheme and the services available to them?
The Hart report, following the inquiry into historical institutional abuse, very clearly highlighted things that a number of institutions did wrong in the treatment of children in their care. Therefore, of course it is right and proper that there is an acknowledgement of that by those institutions and that those…
I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. Does she agree that it is important that the outstanding institutions recognise the harm that has been caused and contribute to the scheme? Equally, as she stated, with the scheme beginning to wind down, is it her assessment that time is running out for the outstanding…
We know that victims and survivors, understandably, see contributions from the institutions as an important measure of accountability. We welcome the interim payments that we have received from three institutions: Barnardo's, the De La Salle order and the Good Shepherd Sisters. I am pleased to say that an additional…
I thank the Member for his question. The Member will be aware that that building was listed, as I understand it, at the request of the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland during a period of direct rule and outside the control or context of either the Northern Ireland Executive or the House. I am clear and…
Deputy First Minister, your party colleague, Lord Dodds, is on record as stating: "However it is dressed up, whatever spin is deployed, the preservation of the H-Blocks – including the hospital wing – would become a shrine to the terrorists who committed suicide in the Maze in the 1980s. That would be obnoxious to the…
FlaggedLegacy of the Troubles, victims and paramilitarismCriteria met: Identity framing, Cultural grievance politics, Dog-whistle messaging, Controversy escalation.
I thank the Member for his question. If he wants to tramp over the concerns of victims, that is up to him. I will not engage in that. I will move forward with the consensus of victims and survivors, because anything that we do should not cause any further concern or hurt. Therefore, it is not for me to decide the way…
Deputy First Minister, you said that it is important that nothing happens on the site that gives offence to victims. I agree, but the problem is that nothing is happening on the site at all. The saga of the Maze/Long Kesh development has been going on longer than 'The Mousetrap'. It has been sitting there, a wasting…
In the Executive Office, we have many responsibilities that relate to victims and survivors of the Troubles. That means trying to meet their needs. It also means being sensitive to the concerns and issues that they face. Victims and survivors in Northern Ireland have given the most, and we must always be very…
The deputy First Minister will know that yesterday marked a significant day for many of us who attended acts of remembrance. Last night, I attended the UDR Association act of remembrance in Mountnorris Presbyterian Church, where I joined UDR widows, including my great-aunt, who lost her husband in the Glenanne army…
I thank the Member for his question. We had an update from the board. There is a new board in place, with six new members. They are looking at some of the plans and proposals that the previous board made. The new members are still in the early stages of working together, but there is significant talent, enthusiasm and…
At a Question Time in September, the First Minister referenced a meeting with the MLK Development Corporation in July. Will the deputy First Minister update us on subsequent discussions that will inform a road map for the regeneration of the site?
I thank the Member for her question. As I outlined, a significant history is associated with the site. It also has huge potential, but we can move forward only with sensitivity to the victims and survivors who are most impacted on by the events that happened on and are associated with that site. That is what I will do.
Thank you, deputy First Minister. You and I share the constituency of Lagan Valley, where the Maze/Long Kesh site is, and we understand its strategic importance for the area. With the access and influence that being deputy First Minister provides, what are you doing to deliver the potential of the site? It seems as…
The Maze/Long Kesh Development Corporation business plan was submitted to the Executive Office, but we understand that the development corporation is further reviewing it in light of its current budget allocation. The business plan will be revised now that the outcome of the internal reallocation exercise is known.…
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. With your permission, I wish to make a statement, in compliance with section 52 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, on a meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in trade and business development sectoral format. The meeting was held in Armagh on 23 October…