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.
Yes, absolutely. The experience of Warrenpoint is one that many will look to in the future when taking on new tenants. Just to finish on that aspect of this, the removal of the power of direction in relation to trust ports does not mean that all control will be removed from the ports. That has to be made absolutely…
I thank the Minister for giving way. The contact that we have had from members of the public in Warrenpoint and their attempts to understand what the Bill does and to amend it show the level of desperation. Anything related to the harbour that constitutes a change to how it runs will be latched on to and seen as a…
I appreciate that you are trying to make progress. I want to clarify what you said about not being aware of any breaches having been raised with the NIEA. Do you agree that, in a sense, the issue is a wider one about how we deal with our waste and about the export of our waste being the solution? I do not want to…
I thank the Minister for taking an intervention. Minister, I am glad that you talked about DAERA. I am not particularly aware of the context of the situation in Warrenpoint, but the explanatory and financial memorandum makes it pretty clear under its explanation of clause 4 that it is DAERA in the case of fishery…
I thank the Minister for giving way. I accept entirely the explanation that she gave, and the roles, remit and responsibility that different Departments, Ministers and agencies have regarding that particular issue. Minister, you said that you can do only what is in the legislative framework. You can change the…
I thank the Chairperson of the Infrastructure Committee, Committee members and MLAs for their comments on the Bill. I will start by addressing some general issues and points that were raised. I thank everyone for their support for the Bill. You are right in doing so in that this is a significant opportunity to ensure…
I am pleased to speak in the Second Stage debate on the Harbours Bill. As a member of the Committee for Infrastructure, I support the Bill's general intention, which, ultimately, is to provide all the trust ports in Northern Ireland with greater commercial flexibility. The trust ports are a key part of our local…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as Bille na gCuanta a mholadh. I welcome the introduction of the Harbours Bill, and I commend Minister Liz Kimmins for introducing legislation that seeks to modernise the framework within which ports operate. Our ports are critical pieces of economic infrastructure. From Belfast to Larne,…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Today, on this sitting day, the Finance Minister issued a written ministerial statement at 12.03 pm, embargoed until 2.30 pm, on the 2025-26 provisional out-turn and available funding for 2026-27. That statement was embargoed until the end of listed questions for oral answer, with that…
The Member raises a very important point. While the Assembly Commission has set out everything that it is required to do in legislation, staff need that hands-on, in-person experience so that, if something were to happen, they would know what to do and what the procedure is. As a Commission member, I know that the…
I thank the Member for that answer. Recently, we held the national allergy strategy launch in the Long Gallery. I thank the catering team, led by Alan, for how well they dealt with that. Working with people who have serious allergies is often viewed as being just about catering and food, but it is up to all of us to…
I thank the Member for her question. The Assembly Commission is mindful of the different needs of individual users of and visitors to Parliament Buildings. The Assembly Commission requires its service provider to deliver comprehensive cleaning services that maintain the highest levels of health, safety and hygiene in…
Yes, thank you for that question. The Commission is committed to ensuring that all Building users, even those who are just visiting, are aware of the locations of the devices so that they can be quickly accessed in an emergency. To support that, the defibrillator locations are listed on AssISt and the Members' portal…
I thank the Member for his answer. The British Heart Foundation has been keen to ensure that that registration went ahead, so that will be welcome news. Are there any plans to share information on where those defibrillators are with all users of the Building so that they can be easily accessed in an emergency?
I thank the Member for his question. The Assembly Commission currently has five defibrillators, which are located at the front reception, the basement control room, the Blue Flax restaurant, the Long Gallery and on the fourth floor. All five devices were registered on The Circuit in September 2025. The most recent…
I thank the Member for her follow-up question. While no formal assessment has been undertaken to establish a direct correlation between facilities and attendance by people with disabilities, we regularly engage with and welcome to Parliament Buildings people with disabilities through a range of forums, including…
Thank you for that answer. Has the Commission made any assessment of whether the current facilities deter people with disabilities from attending Parliament Buildings? We have accessible bathrooms, but it would be a struggle for me, as an able-bodied person, to reach the toilet roll dispenser in the disabled bathroom…
I thank the Member for her question. There are two accessible toilet cubicles available to visitors on the ground floor, one designated for male use and one for female use. On the first floor, there is an additional accessible toilet facility that is available for use by all visitors. In addition, as I mentioned in my…
The Assembly Commission recognises that the issue has been a long and protracted one. Thankfully, the extent of the deterioration in courtyards 1, 2 and 3 is less significant than initially anticipated. However, early investigations have identified some additional complexities, including localised stone deterioration…
I thank the Member for his question. The Assembly Commission is progressing a programme of remedial works to address defects identified in the roof of Parliament Buildings and to protect the long-term integrity of this grade A listed building. The works have been structured in two phases. Phase 1 focuses on priority…
Following the apprenticeship and placement framework in June 2019, the implementation of supported placements was initially delayed by COVID-19. Three supported placements have now been completed, and the feedback from the business areas and individuals involved has all been positive.
I thank the Member for the answer. All the members of the Education Committee were rightly encouraged recently by Alma from Caleb's Cause to bring in kids with SEND or disabilities for work experience. It is encouraging to hear about the facilities that are there already. How many supported placements have taken place?
Mr Speaker, I may require an extra minute to answer the question. I thank the Member for her question. The Assembly Commission's school work experience programme is facilitated through a partnership between our internal education services team and an organisation called Futures For All, a social mobility charity. The…