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 beg to move Today, I seek the Assembly's approval for the draft Renewable Heat Incentive (Closure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. The RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Act 2026, which enables the Department to make these regulations, was enacted on 17 June 2026. Regulation 4 provides a high-level overview…
I thank the Minister. I welcome the intention to provide preschool places for all children across Northern Ireland. As someone who has a little preschooler, albeit part-time, I recognise the value of the provision for work-life balance, as well as the development that she is getting from it. I also appreciate the…
I welcome the Minister's statement to ensure that working parents will no longer be discriminated against when selecting a nursery setting for their child. Will the Minister confirm that, when we reach academic year 2028-29, and if we are under a new Education Minister in the next mandate, the decision that he has…
The nearest setting can be up to five miles away. What rural impact and concerns have been taken into account when looking at poverty and access to the provision?
I hope that the Minister is aware that universal credit is a working benefit. I have many constituents, as he does, who are both hard-working and in receipt of a benefit. The constant and consistent use of fake contrasts is really dehumanising. I will focus on rural settings. Social and economic disadvantage has a…
In today's society, it is clear that people who are perhaps juggling two or more jobs to fight for their family see the odds stacked against them. I know that I speak for many when I say that I am glad to see a DUP Minister who is prepared to stand up and fight for those people. Does the Minister agree that the law…
I thank the Member for those comments. She is right to highlight the work in rural areas in particular and the importance of those settings to communities. We must make sure that the benefits accrue everywhere in Northern Ireland. We are taking a number of measures, but one is to increase the value per child in the…
Minister, I welcome the work on childcare places and the fact that you are driving things forward in that regard. You will be aware that I have been in touch with you regarding matters that are prevalent in rural areas and, indeed, in constituencies with a cross-border nature, such as mine. You have kept your side of…
This is a really successful announcement today. I will focus particularly on the roll-out of the full-time nursery provision. That has been welcomed by so many families, and, of course, I welcome the increase to 65%, with 100 more settings announced today. Minister, when do you believe that you will have a 100%…
I can guarantee that every single child in Northern Ireland who wants to get a paid preschool place will be able to get it regardless. The position is that there has been universal provision for nearly a decade now, which was not the case in 1998. Then, it sat at less than half of all young people availing themselves…
I was also here earlier, listening to the questions to the Minister and to his answers. Minister, it is clear that you have spent the summer perfecting how to blow your own trumpet, and you are doing an exceptional job of it. I remind you that your party and Sinn Féin have presided over some of the worst levels of…
I was in the Chamber for the answers earlier. I congratulate the Minister on his particular flair when responding to questions in such a politically pointed way, which I always enjoy. I have also noticed that the Minister has made a number of announcements that often do not have any funding attached to them. He…
I thank the Minister for all that he is doing to provide childcare support and access to preschool education for families across Northern Ireland, as he says, at a time when the birth rate is declining. I hear from many young parents that those costs are a factor when it comes to the size of family that they choose to…
I thank the Member for her question on preschool applications. When it comes to providing access, you want as many first-choice applicants as possible to be successful. An increasing number have been successful in attaining their first choice, but managing the number of providers and making them available is an…
I thank the Minister for his commitment to action over warm words. Will he consider new arrangements for preschool applications in order to increase parental choice?
On a point of order, Principal Deputy Speaker. In my question, I referenced the fact that the UUP publicly announced the decision on the committee before the Department of Health did so. I would like the Speaker's Office to make a ruling on that, because I find that incredibly disrespectful to the House. I want to…
I thank the Member for his question. When we are talking about hospitals in our constituencies and the very matters that Members are allowed, through the Principal Deputy Speaker, to raise, we should evidence that with passion, as the Member did. However, in response to the first part of the question, I suggest that,…
I pay tribute to the previous Health Minister, Mr Nesbitt, for all his hard work during his tenure. I welcome the new Health Minister to his place and wish him all the best for the future. To ensure transparency and scrutiny, especially in relation to the lack of investment at Causeway Hospital, and given the…
I join with others in congratulating my friend on his appointment as Minister of Health. I might make a friendly point: you might have to update your election posters, because you will definitely be greyer come May. Minister, you will know fully the frustration, worry and anxiety that exists in Fermanagh and South…
Minister, will the committee have an absolute right to obtain all the relevant departmental and trust information, including workforce data, risk assessments, financial assumptions and alternative options? Will that evidence be published alongside the conclusions?
I welcome you to your post and wish your predecessor, Mike Nesbitt, all the best. What will the review committee add that current evidence, professional clinicians' advice, the many previous reviews of our healthcare system and previous UUP Health Ministers did not?
Like others, I welcome the Minister to his new portfolio. How will patients, staff and concerned groups, especially in my constituency where there are huge concerns about the possible loss of emergency general surgery at Causeway, hold the new process to account?
Like others, I welcome the Minister to his post. I hope to work productively with him for the remainder of the mandate. I also thank Mike Nesbitt for his work during the earlier part of the mandate. The Minister said that the committee's purpose is: "to ensure that decisions made are transparent, properly evidenced…
I thank the Member for her very kind words. There was no sandwich there, to be fair. The Member has illustrated what can happen when you do not bring your community with you, and I accept that. I do not accept or recognise the points about Minister Swann and Minister Nesbitt. I have worked with both of them. They are…
Minister, I welcome you to the role. I will be a constructive and critical friend. Minister, Robin Swann faltered in his decision-making on emergency general surgery at the SWAH. Minister Nesbitt acquiesced on the removal of emergency general surgery. You are keeping the seat warm until May. Temporary removal of…