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.
Go raibh maith agat, a Aire, as an fhreagra sin. What plans does the Minister have to address accessibility problems on the existing fleet? He referred to replacing some vehicles with low-floor vehicles. Are there things such as access steps that could be added to the existing high-floor vehicles?
The Department funds Translink, which works to ensure that services and facilities are accessible to all. That means creating a consistent customer experience for everyone, thus ensuring accessible public transport for people with all levels of abilities. The public transport fleet is fully compliant with…
I thank the Member for her question. Sections of the A1 were built around 40 years ago. There has been an upgrade since then, but the sections were built to the standard at the time. They do not meet current safety standards, so we have to make sure that the safety improvements, as outlined in the junction work, and…
We have been campaigning on the A1 for some time. I, too, have met Monica Heaney over a number of years, so I appreciate the Minister's update. Minister, how does your Department plan to address some of the safety concerns? It has been a long-standing issue, and I appreciate that you can go only so far at this stage.
I am happy to do so and to engage with the British Government on their responsibility to fund some of the major infrastructure projects that we have here. I refer back to the UK connectivity report. It is an important document, and we cannot let the British Government off from living up to their responsibilities. I…
Minister, I ask that any future cross-border conversations that you have on road infrastructure include the A2 Buncrana Road in my constituency. The project has been on people's radar and looming large over residents in that area for over 50 years, with no progress despite various attempts.
I have agreed to meet Monica Heaney to discuss her campaign and the tragedy of her son's death. I met her previously in my role as an MLA. I am more than happy to meet campaign groups, as is the case with groups campaigning on the A5. Local voices and those who have lost loved ones are vital to this. The A1 scheme has…
The Shared Island initiative aims to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance cooperation, connection and mutual understanding across the island and engage with all communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future. I welcome the Irish Government’s commitment to Shared…
I welcome the fact that the local community made their voices heard, particularly during the previous Planning Appeals Commission's public hearings. Daily attendance by local people and local representatives at those events was significant. Groups such as A5 Enough is Enough have continued to make their voice heard. I…
Minister, to what extent do you attribute progress on the A5 to the pressure group that has been campaigning vociferously for years, including the families of many people whose lives were lost? Fifty lives have been lost on that road since 2006. How can any further delays be explained?
The sound was not good, Mr McNulty, but I think that you asked to what extent I blame the lack of progress on the legal challenges. Sorry, Mr Speaker, the sound is not good.
I thank the Minister for his answers thus far. Minister, to what extent do you attribute progress on the A5 to campaigning by the A5 pressure group and the families of the 50 people whose lives have, sadly, been lost there since 2006? Is it acceptable that there would be any further delays?
I cannot give you a start date until I have concluded my deliberations on the Planning Appeals Commission's report. It is a detailed and comprehensive report that deserves careful study. If I were to move ahead without giving that report due cognisance, I would leave myself open to another JR, further delay, rising…
I thank the Minister for his remarks so far. In view of the funding that has been made available by the Republic of Ireland Government and the money that may be available through things such as financial transactions capital (FTC), has the Minister given any thoughts to fast-tracking at least part of the A5 and…
As with all major projects, particularly when there is a one-year budget, you can only confirm the budget for the following year. The Irish Government's contribution has given us headroom, and I am engaging with the Finance Minister about a contribution from the Executive. I am also engaging and plan to engage with…
I thank the Minister for his answer. The Irish Government have recommitted their allocation to the A5. Can the Minister outline the current projected cost of the A5? Will funding be in place for the A5, or is the Minister making a case for that funding?
Given the history of legal challenges to the scheme, I expect that there will be more, unfortunately. My Department received the report of the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) on 31 October. It is a complex and detailed report that deserves to be carefully studied and responded to. When I am in a position to do so, I…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. I thank the Minister. The Minister will understand how important the delivery of the A5 is for the people of West Tyrone, and I appreciate his continued commitment to the project. Can he outline whether he expects there to be any further legal challenges to the scheme?
I thank the Member for her question. The A5 western transport corridor has been a flagship project for the Executive since it was announced in 2007. Improving road safety has always been and remains one of the key scheme objectives of the new road. My Department has therefore been focused throughout on developing…
This could probably become a theme during Question Time: if Members wish to meet me, I am happy for them to contact my private office, and I will attempt to facilitate as many meeting requests as possible. It is difficult when I am on my feet in the Chamber to agree to various meetings. My response to your question is…
In 2008, the Larne waste treatment works were opened, and it was envisaged that they would be effective until at least 2030. Six years later, they were at capacity. As a result, developments, economic and residential, have been significantly limited. Will you agree to meet representatives of NI Water and me on that…
I understand that there are particular constraints in the Belfast area. I had a meeting with my officials this morning about the Belfast Living with Water scheme. The cost of that scheme has risen significantly. It is under review. I have asked my officials to report on that review to me as soon as possible. I will…
The Minister will be aware that the limitations on capacity are having a significant impact on planning and, therefore, growth and the provision of much-needed housing. For example, in my constituency, in Dundonald, all infrastructure, including roads, is at capacity, and there are subsequent problems with drainage…
On your second point, I await an evidence base to support that claim. NI Water gave evidence to the Infrastructure Committee, at which it said that it would take responsibility for 20% of the effluent. However, my colleague the AERA Minister is taking forward a programme of work on that, so we want to make sure that…