Llun, 20 Mai 2024
The Assembly met at 12 noon (Principal Deputy Speaker [Ms Ní Chuilín] in the Chair). Members observed two minutes' silence.
Members, I inform you that the Speaker will not be in the Chamber today or tomorrow. He is in hospital undergoing a minor procedure and hopes to be back later in the week. We all wish him well.
I advise Members that the Speaker has been notified by the nominating officer of Sinn Féin that Ms Sinéad Ennis has been nominated as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Justice.
I advise Members that the Hospital Parking Charges Bill received Royal Assent on 16 May 2024. It will be known as the Hospital Parking Charges Act (Northern Ireland) 2024 and is chapter 2.
If Members wish to be called to make a statement, they should indicate so by rising in their place. Members who are called will have up to three minutes in which to make their statement. I remind...
Inniu Lá Domhanda na mBeach. D’ainmnigh na Náisiúin Aontaithe inniu, an 20ú Bealtaine, Lá Domhanda na mBeach le daoine a chur ar an eolas faoina...
[Translation: Today is World Bee Day. The United Nations has named today, May 20, World Bee Day to make people aware of the importance of bees, the threats that they face and what we can all do...
On Saturday past, I attended a service to commemorate the murder of Reginald McCollum, who was murdered 30 years ago on Saturday in Armagh. Reggie — I knew him as Reggie — was 19...
Almost one month ago, I was grateful to have the opportunity to present a petition to the Speaker in the Chamber on behalf of more than 3,500 people calling for the urgent commissioning of adult...
In early March, the Minister for Infrastructure announced a £460,000 resurfacing project for Groomsport roundabout in Bangor. It was obviously an end-of-year budget-spending exercise,...
I also want to talk about those living with ADHD in Northern Ireland. People who have an ADHD diagnosis in the North are treated absolutely appallingly. They face an unbelievable level of...
Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le Foireann Thír Eoghain faoi fhiche bliain d'aois. [Translation: I congratulate the Tyrone under-20 team.] I acknowledge and congratulate the...
Today is an important day across the United Kingdom, because many thousands of people will hear the outcome of the infected blood inquiry. Across the United Kingdom, 30,000 people are estimated...
Over the weekend, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency confirmed a significant river pollution incident in the Four Mile Burn in Parkgate. That is another utterly appalling and environmentally...
I bring to Members' attention issues with the Troubles permanent disablement payment scheme: its slow approach in some instances and the fact that a number of people who should have benefited...
Like many people across Northern Ireland, when I watched the testimonies at the COVID-19 inquiry last week, I was left reflecting on what they said about our system of government. Brenda Campbell...
I wish to raise the veil of secrecy that has descended over the operation of the Irish Sea border. Before the implementation of that aspect of the laughably called 'Safeguarding the Union' paper,...
This morning, I was once again proud to stand with the striking education workers at St Joseph's Primary School on Slate Street in my constituency and also outside this Building with workers who...
Resolved: That Mr Andrew McMurray be appointed as a member of the Committee for Infrastructure; and that Ms Connie Egan be appointed as a member of the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny...
Before I call the Minister, I remind Members that they must be concise in asking their questions. This is not an opportunity for debate, and long introductions will not be allowed.
I beg to introduce the Defective Premises Bill [NIA 03/22-27], which is a Bill to amend the law as to liability for defects in the state of dwellings; and for connected purposes. Bill passed...
I beg to introduce the Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill [NIA 04/22-27], which is a Bill to make provision about the extension of pensions automatic enrolment to jobholders under...
I beg to move That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions within the Pet Abduction Bill, as introduced in the House of Commons on 6 December...
I beg to move That this Assembly is committed to realising the untapped potential of the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors in Northern Ireland; notes that these growing industries...
Questions 6 and 12 have been withdrawn.
1. Mr Nesbitt asked the Minister of Justice to outline her discussions with the PSNI and the Policing Board regarding improving the process for police officers applying for injury on duty (IOD)...
2. Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister of Justice whether the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) sought legal advice when it decided not to proceed with the scheduled opening hearing sessions of the...
3. Mr Beattie asked the Minister of Justice for an update on the review of support services for operational prison staff. (AQO 440/22-27)
4. Mr Durkan asked the Minister of Justice for her assessment of how many police officers are required to enable the PSNI to discharge its duties effectively. (AQO 441/22-27)
5. Mr Mathison asked the Minister of Justice for an updated assessment of the budgetary situation facing her Department in 2024-25. (AQO 442/22-27)
7. Mr Kingston asked the Minister of Justice, further to the announcement of the closure of all other enquiry offices in Belfast police stations, for her assessment of whether Musgrave Street...
8. Mr McHugh asked the Minister of Justice to outline her Department’s preparations to ensure the swift implementation of the provisions in the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill....
9. Mr Dickson asked the Minister of Justice for an update on a new domestic and sexual abuse strategy. (AQO 446/22-27)
T1. Mr O'Toole asked the Minister of Justice to state whether she agrees that we need a stand-alone hate crime Bill, in light of the fact that hate crime is clearly not going away — quite...
T2. Mr Dunne asked the Minister of Justice, in light of an action plan recently launched by Retail NI to tackle retail crime, which highlighted alarming statistics, including that 67% of retail...
T4. Mr Irwin asked the Minister of Justice to outline the steps that she is taking to increase the sentences available to people who are found guilty of ramming PSNI vehicles, given that she will...
T5. Mr Butler asked the Minister of Justice for an update on any talks that she has had with the Minister for Infrastructure or his Department on obstructive pavement parking. (AQT 295/22-27)
T6. Mr Mathison asked the Minister of Justice to confirm whether she plans to repeal Northern Ireland’s archaic vagrancy laws in this mandate. (AQT 296/22-27)
T7. Mr McMurray asked the Minister of Justice for her assessment of the delays in the criminal courts. (AQT 297/22-27)
T8. Mr Carroll asked the Minister of Justice to give her assessment of the recent revelations about the police spying on journalists here — a shocking practice for journalism, democracy and...
T9. Mr Stewart asked the Minister of Justice for her assessment of morale in the Prison Service. (AQT 299/22-27)
1. Ms Hunter asked the Minister for Communities when conversion therapy will be banned. (AQO 452/22-27)
2. Ms Mulholland asked the Minister for Communities to outline what progress his Department has made to implement the recommendations of the ‘Investing in Creative Delivery’ report,...
3. Mr McCrossan asked the Minister for Communities what action he has taken to reduce the number of staff in his Department who have been temporarily promoted for over three years. (AQO 454/22-27)
4. Ms Brownlee asked the Minister for Communities to provide an update on funding for the subregional stadia programme for soccer. (AQO 455/22-27)
5. Ms Bradshaw asked the Minister for Communities for an update on the support he is providing to the community and independent advice sectors through the community support programme to ensure...
7. Mr Nesbitt asked the Minister for Communities to outline what additional support his Department will provide to Cricket Ireland in advance of the first five-day Test match to be played in...
8. Mr Easton asked the Minister for Communities to provide an update on steps being taken to ensure the award of intimidation points for social housing is not abused. (AQO 459/22-27)
9. Mr Sheehan asked the Minister for Communities whether he plans to implement the recommendation of the Equality Commission to incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of People with...
10. Mr Butler asked the Minister for Communities to outline his Department’s plans to further develop disability-friendly social housing for new builds and existing housing stock. (AQO...
T1. Mr McCrossan asked the Minister for Communities for an update on the public realm scheme in Strabane, given that the state of Strabane town centre has become a real issue of concern for local...
T2. Ms Forsythe asked the Minister for Communities for his assessment of the performance of historic environment division (HED) as a statutory consultee within the planning system. (AQT 302/22-27)
T3. Mr Tennyson asked the Minister for Communities to state why his Department does not intervene earlier to prevent recipients of carer’s allowance from accumulating significant...
T4. Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister for Communities for an update on the reform of local government. (AQT 304/22-27)
T5. Mr Butler asked the Minister for Communities whether he has discussed with the Minister for Instructure the planning limitations and restrictions associated with thatched properties, which...
T6. Mr Allister asked the Minister for Communities, having waited in vain since 27 February for the Minister to answer this as a priority question for written answer, to state whether, in respect...
T7. Mr Clarke asked the Minister for Communities whether he has assessed the number of empty homes in Northern Ireland, given that he will be aware of the housing pressures across Northern...
T8. Mrs Dodds asked the Minister for Communities whether his recent announcement will include good news for teams such as Banbridge Rangers in her Upper Bann constituency, representatives of...
T9. Mr Gildernew asked the Minister for Communities whether, given inflationary pressures on project delivery and sustainability of services, including homelessness services and those offered by...
Debate resumed on amendment to motion: That this Assembly is committed to realising the untapped potential of the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors in Northern Ireland; notes that...
I beg to move That this Assembly acknowledges that divorce can be a difficult process for any individual or family to go through; recognises that the current fault-based divorce process can often...
