Mawrth, 19 Mawrth 2024
The Assembly met at 10:30 am (Speaker [Mr Poots] in the Chair). Members observed two minutes' silence.
I inform Members that the Budget Bill received Royal Assent on 14 March 2024. It will be known as the Budget Act (NI) 2024 and is chapter 1.
We have received a complaint from Hansard that Members are adjusting their microphones and speaking directly to others and not through the microphones. That is causing some problems for Hansard....
Members who wish to make a statement should rise in their place. You will have up to three minutes in which to make your statement, and there will be no interventions or points of order until...
Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le mo sheanscoil, Scoil na mBráithre Críostaí, ar an Ómaigh. [Translation: I would like to congratulate my old school, the...
I will raise concerns on behalf of people of North Belfast and across Northern Ireland about the rising costs of home and car insurance. Like other Members, I am sure, I have been inundated in...
I congratulate Royal Belfast Academical Institution on its win in the Schools' Cup yesterday. The school has a long and proud history of 34 outright wins in that competition, which is the second...
Over the past two weeks, we have witnessed a magnificent celebration of all things sport, culture, arts and language that we should all be extremely proud of. As Seachtain na Gaeilge...
I will talk about an issue that is close to many hearts in Northern Ireland, Mr Speaker, including yours: the farmer. The farmer has been the staple blood of Northern Ireland's society since its...
I want to raise the case of residents in the Victoria Square residential development along Chichester Street in Belfast who are unable to live in their properties owing to structural concerns...
In the Chamber last week, I heard a lot of tributes to Cillian Murphy on his win at the Oscars and to Emma Stone. Just the week before that, I spent a wonderful evening in the Lisburn civic...
I will use any and every opportunity in the House to bring up the atrocities in Gaza and the ongoing cruelty being suffered by the Palestinian people. On the day that we will debate the holiday...
I rise in response to the nominations for the Irish Film and Television Academy awards. There has been such a remarkable surge in talent in the Northern Irish arts scene. That is underscored by...
I will talk about excess deaths. I will push out some figures, and I want the House to remember that, while we can all throw out figures and facts, they are real people: mums and dads, brothers...
I rise to raise an issue around communications services in Northern Ireland. I note that BT is the largest provider. Often, when you contact BT about a constituent's service or a series of lines...
Last week, we had the news that £192 million is to be spent building border posts at a border that, some tell us, does not exist. It is clear that the propaganda that all that was at the...
First, I should say that, when I came into the Chamber today, I did not expect to hear Mr Allister talk about the subject of budgie smugglers —
The next item of business is motions to affirm two statutory rules, both of which relate to workers' compensation. The Minister will move the first motion and then be invited to commence the...
The second motion has already been debated. Resolved: That the Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Specified Diseases and Prescribed Occupations) (Amendment) Order (Northern...
I beg to move That the draft Human Medicines (Amendments Relating to Coronavirus and Influenza) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 be approved.
The next items of business are motions to approve three statutory rules (SRs), all of which relate to parental bereavement leave and pay. There will be a single debate on all three motions. I...
The second motion has already been debated. Resolved: That the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (General) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 be approved. — [Mr C Murphy (The...
The third motion has already been debated. Resolved: That the Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay (Consequential Amendments to Subordinate Legislation) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023...
I beg to move That regulation (EU) 2023/2411 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023 on the protection of geographical indications for craft and industrial products and...
1. Mr Honeyford asked the Minister for the Economy for an update on the progress of developing a renewable electricity support scheme. (AQO 175/22-27)
2. Miss McAllister asked the Minister for the Economy for his assessment of the business improvement district (BID) process. (AQO 176/22-27)
3. Mr Beattie asked the Minister for the Economy to outline the assessment he made before indicating that he would not consider raising tuition fees. (AQO 177/22-27)
4. Ms Ní Chuilín asked the Minister for the Economy for his assessment of assured skills academies. (AQO 178/22-27)
5. Mr Kearney asked the Minister for the Economy for his assessment of the role of Social Enterprise NI in developing the social economy. (AQO 179/22-27)
7. Mr McGlone asked the Minister for the Economy for an update on the financial support provided by his Department to students in further education, as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. (AQO...
8. Mr Brooks asked the Minister for the Economy to outline what engagement he has had with Spirit Aerosystems on the impact a potential acquisition by Boeing will have on its Belfast operations....
9. Mr Brett asked the Minister for the Economy for his assessment of the economic impact of reducing corporation tax. (AQO 183/22-27)
10. Ms Forsythe asked the Minister for the Economy whether he will provide business support to the childcare sector. (AQO 184/22-27)
11. Mr Harvey asked the Minister for the Economy to outline his plans to raise economic productivity. (AQO 185/22-27)
T1. Ms McLaughlin asked the Minister for the Economy whether he agrees with the principle of pay parity between further education lecturers and school teaching staff, given that he will be keenly...
T2. Mr Elliott asked the Minister for the Economy whether he personally has met management from BT and EE to discuss the potential closure later this year of the Enniskillen site. (AQT 122/22-27)
T3. Mr McHugh asked the Minister for the Economy for an update on the engagements that he undertook during his visit to America, mindful of his earlier comments that he did not go there with a...
T5. Ms Eastwood asked the Minister for the Economy whether he agrees that it is inappropriate to continue with the voluntary redundancy scheme for further education staff and potential campus...
T6. Mrs Erskine asked the Minister for the Economy, in light of a recent response in which he said that Invest NI is continuing to engage with BT, to state what that engagement looks like and to...
T7. Mrs Dillon asked the Minister for the Economy whether he will bring forward the recommendations issued today in relation to credit unions. (AQT 127/22-27)
Question 6 has been withdrawn, and Maurice Bradley is not in his place for question 1.
2. Mr O'Toole asked the Assembly Commission to outline when the official Opposition will be resourced in line with the 'Report on the outcome of the independent Review of the adequacy and...
3. Mr Allen asked the Assembly Commission whether there are plans to consider further adaptations to Parliament Buildings to improve accessibility. (AQO 192/22-27)
4. Mr McReynolds asked the Assembly Commission to provide an update on a security budget for Members. (AQO 193/22-27)
5. Mr Blair asked the Assembly Commission to provide an assessment of how it is progressing with its net zero targets. (AQO 194/22-27)
7. Ms Hunter asked the Assembly Commission to outline what plans it has to introduce maternity and parental leave arrangements for MLAs, in line with provisions in other legislatures. (AQO 196/22-27)
9. Mr Allister asked the Assembly Commission whether it will consider displaying a portrait of the head of state within Parliament Buildings. (AQO 198/22-27)
10. Ms Forsythe asked the Assembly Commission for an update on repair work to the roof of Parliament Buildings. (AQO 199/22-27)
11. Mr Beattie asked the Assembly Commission to outline how many MLA-sponsored events were held in Parliament Buildings between March 2022 and March 2024. (AQO 200/22-27)
12. Mr Middleton asked the Assembly Commission to provide an update on the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly. (AQO 201/22-27)
13. Mr Frew asked the Assembly Commission to provide an update on replacing constituency office printers. (AQO 202/22-27)
14. Mr Kelly asked the Assembly Commission to outline what measures it has taken to provide family and carer friendly working hours for Assembly staff. (AQO 203/22-27)
Before we return to the debate on the applicability motion, I advise Members that I have been notified that the proposer of the Adjournment topic will not speak on Craigavon City Park and Lakes...
Debate resumed on motion: That regulation (EU) 2023/2411 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023 on the protection of geographical indications for craft and industrial...
I beg to move That this Assembly recognises the high levels of child poverty and the increasing costs associated with sending children and young people to school; further recognises that the...
I beg to move That this Assembly supports an innovative and inclusive economy that provides opportunities for all; highlights the need to create more and better jobs across the skills spectrum;...
Members, as you were advised earlier, the Speaker has been notified that the Member will not speak to the Adjournment topic in the Order Paper. Adjourned at 6.25 pm.
