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.
It is unfortunate that vaping is often seen as harmless and perceived to be fun and a trendy alternative to smoking. The harsh reality is that it carries significant risks that we cannot overlook. Each year, countless young people are drawn into the world of vaping as they believe it to be a safe and fashionable…
Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Vaping is clearly, as we have heard, a growing issue across our society. I am not a smoker or a vaper, but, in engaging in the discussion, I think that it is important to do so honestly and rationally and to recognise that, while, in general, all substance addiction is…
Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I support the motion. Our amendment is intended to complement the motion and acknowledge that this is an issue that, like many others, requires cross-body cooperation. Parents, carers, teachers and young people are concerned about the prevalence of vaping among under-18s.…
I beg to move Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. We are facing a growing crisis in our schools that poses a significant threat to the health, well-being and education of our young people. Vaping has rapidly emerged as one of the biggest concerns among schools, parents and young people themselves…
Thank you, Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank all the participants in today's debate. The creation of a register of animal welfare offenders is an essential step in the protection of our animals from the hands of those who treat them with such cruelty, inflicting untold pain on them and, in some cases, leaving them to…
Thank you very much, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank Members for the respectful debate and for the opportunity to respond. I understand and empathise with the concerns of Members, stakeholders and the public about animal welfare sentencing. The Welfare of Animals Act 2011 made it an offence to inflict…
I support the motion to establish a register of animal welfare offenders. We must strengthen our efforts to protect animals and prevent repeat offences. If people are capable of that behaviour once, they are capable of it again. It would be remiss of us not to use that information to protect animals, particularly when…
I support the motion, but I also want to draw attention to animal cruelty that happens on a deep societal level and is usually deemed acceptable or, even, lauded. The organisation of our society around the profit incentive has widened the rift between humans and nature to a point beyond all recognition. In particular,…
Some weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending an event held in Parliament Buildings by the Northern Ireland Companion Animal Welfare Group. I undertook to explore some of the issues that the group raised with me. I make no apology for drawing heavily from its policy priorities document, which, in a logical and…
The issue of animal cruelty stirs great emotion in many people who recognise the sentience of animals and their right to live free from human abuse. Equally, the persistent failure to deal adequately with the perpetrators of animal cruelty continues to enrage many. Most of us find the crime of abusing a defenceless…
As a proud member of the all-party group on animal welfare, I am pleased to make a short contribution to the debate. First and foremost, I pay tribute to my colleague the Member for Strangford Michelle McIlveen not only for tabling this important motion but for being a strong and relentless champion for animal welfare…
I welcome the opportunity to speak on an important motion on animal welfare across Northern Ireland. It is appropriate that the United Kingdom, as a nation of animal lovers — animals both domestic and farmed — has one of the toughest sentencing regimes in the world for animal cruelty. It is imperative that we in…
As someone who has had the sad duty to report a number of animal cruelty cases in my elected lifetime, I believe that there is no question that those who commit acts of cruelty against animals should be fully accountable for their actions. However, while the intention behind the motion is commendable, we have to…
I am extremely passionate about the issue. Cruelty to and the mistreatment and neglect of animals are utterly repugnant. Many of us believe that there should be zero tolerance, yet we find ourselves in the most bizarre of circumstances: although some have been banned from keeping animals, there is no official record…
I welcome the opportunity to speak to the motion, which aims to prevent repeat offenders from harming animals and to enhance transparency and enforcement in protecting animal welfare. Animal welfare is a shared priority across our island. It requires a unified approach to ensure high animal welfare standards and…
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker, I want to address a matter that was raised by a Member for East Belfast on 14 October. The Member referred to comments that I made during the Second Stage debate on the Justice Bill on the Committee's request for a Keeling schedule. In my response, I indicated that a Keeling…
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker, I wonder whether any guidance exists for you or the other Deputy Speakers on ensuring that there is a plurality of questions, including from the official Opposition. Twice during Question Time, I was denied the opportunity to ask a supplementary question when time existed to…
The issue with the family court system is that it is, essentially, a judge-led system. Therefore, the changes in law that we bring forward in the Chamber are still at the discretion of scheduling and other things that happen in the court system. We introduced additional protections for cases where domestic abuse is…
The Justice Bill that we are bringing forward deals with a lot of unfinished business in a lot of small, discrete and technical areas. It is important because a number of pieces are court-required, but it will not have a huge impact in its reach into the community. The latter two Bills of the mandate certainly do. The…
I very much share the views of Enda Dolan's parents. I have met them on a number of occasions and sought to reassure them that it is a priority for me. We have issued drafting instructions for what needs to be done. The policy intent is clear, and we have shared that with the family. For five of the past 10 years, we…