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.
The regulations are designed to strengthen and complement the existing framework governing the welfare of animals at the time of killing. They build upon EU regulation 1099/2009 and the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing Regulations 2014, ensuring that the North maintains high standards of animal welfare. The…
I am grateful for the opportunity to debate this motion, which seeks the Assembly's approval to introduce the draft Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. In 2015, the then Farm Animal Welfare Committee, now the Animal Welfare Committee, which is an expert…
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I hate to be the Chair of the Finance Committee, but, by my count, we are not quite quorate. I do not know whether that calls into question legally anything that we do now.
I beg to move I seek the Assembly's approval for the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Employment and Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. The statutory rule was made on 1 April and came into operation on 6 April. It is before the Assembly today under the confirmatory procedure. Again, I am…
I thank all the Members who spoke in support of the regulations. I reiterate my thanks to the Committee for the Economy for its scrutiny of the legislation. I am happy to commend the regulations to the Assembly.
I echo what other Members have said. Compassion is at the heart of the regulations, which are about understanding and ensuring that parents and families who have suffered the most heartbreaking and unimaginable grief are supported through one of the most difficult times in their lives. As a member of the Committee for…
At first glance, the regulations appear to be highly technical, but behind them is something profoundly important. They are about ensuring that parents who experience the unimaginable loss of a child do not lose access to the support that, the Assembly has already agreed, they should receive. None of us wants to…
I beg to move Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I seek the Assembly's approval for the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. The rule was made on 19 March and came into operation on 20 March. It is before the Assembly today under the confirmatory…
A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I apologise for not being in the House from the beginning of the statement and thank you for your latitude on that. Thank you, Minister. You have outlined some of the benefits that Waterways Ireland ownership can bring to waterways and local communities. Are there any plans to extend the remit…
As a Member said, the statement mentions greenways. It also mentions a waterway. One waterway — or kind of a waterway — in my constituency is Knockbracken reservoir. It is better known these days as Let's Go Hydro. I believe that the Minister visited Carryduff and that part of the world recently. A long-overdue…
Minister, is completion of the Narrow Water bridge development still set for the end of 2027? Is it anticipated that the project will remain within budget?
I thank the Minister for her statement. With approximately 15% of the entire Waterways Ireland estate located in Northern Ireland, I am keen to establish any detail that you may have on the scale of immediate safety risks, with regard to diseased trees in Northern Ireland specifically, that are linked to the tree…
I thank the Minister for her statement and hope that she enjoyed her visit to Enniskillen. The statement mentions moorings. I want to focus on the Fermanagh end of the Ulster canal. I have received communication about accessible jetties and ensuring that jetties and moorings are up to standard. That is vital for…
Minister, various greenway projects are mentioned in your statement. Those projects are to be welcomed. Recently, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council announced a feasibility study, part-funded by DFI, for a greenway between Warrenpoint, Kilkeel and Newcastle. Will you raise that potential project at your next…
Minister, you have consented to the granting of a number of property disposals. It would be helpful if you can provide some further information on their location, the types of disposals that you have approved and whether they are cost-neutral.
Minister, thank you for your statement. Last week, the Irish Government announced a further €30 million investment in the Ulster canal restoration project. That is transformative for the communities along the route and will benefit local economies and tourism. What is the current position of the Ulster canal project?
Where do I start? The Member will know that, when I was on the council, we championed the need to further enhance and, indeed, maximise the potential of the Newry canal. With the Newry city park moving closer to construction and other work happening in the area, there is a real opportunity for us to do that. One of…
I thank the Minister for her statement. I welcome the progress that has been outlined today on major waterways projects, including the Ulster canal project. Minister, you will be aware that a joint working group involving Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Borough…
In compliance with section 52 of the NI Act 1998, I will make a statement on the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) inland waterways meeting that was held at Waterways Ireland headquarters in Enniskillen on 29 May 2026. The Executive were represented by me, as Minister for Infrastructure, and junior Minister in…
The Executive and the Assembly agree that the Executive's Budget is not adequate, which is why we are in that negotiation. When it comes to the capital budget, we have to factor in a timeline for the legal challenge that we are going through. It is unlikely that we will get a decision from the court on this side of…
I thank the Minister for her answer. I asked the question because I fear that the backlog of work that has to be done on the A5, the Enniskillen bypass and everything that has been held up because of net zero policies will impact on all constituencies; I simply asked about North Antrim. Given that the Minister might…
I do not know how it will have affected North Antrim specifically unless the Member is referring to something in particular. We all have a responsibility in climate change and what we do to try to mitigate its impacts. We have seen extreme heat across the world in the past few weeks, and nobody can deny that change is…
As the Member rightly said, removal of the zero-detriment policy is for the AERA Minister, and I have engaged with the Minister on that, as well as on the removal of the statement of regulatory principles and intent. I recognise that removing that would have detrimental impact on future development. That needs to be…
Minister, you did not mention the removal of the zero-detriment policy, which is a concern that I have. That is worrying for anybody who sits in the Chamber, and for the construction industry in particular. I got a response from you today, to a question for written answer, stating that with the removal of the…