Oral Answers to Questions — The Executive Office – in the Northern Ireland Assembly am 2:00 pm ar 19 Chwefror 2024.
2. Mr Allister asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what guidance is provided to Executive Office Ministers to ensure that they only represent agreed Executive positions when undertaking publicly funded foreign visits. (AQO 14/22-27)
As First Minister and deputy First Minister, we have taken the Pledge of Office required of all Ministers. In that pledge, we have agreed to:
"observe the joint nature of the offices of First Minister and deputy First Minister" and:
"support, and act in accordance with, all decisions of the Executive Committee and Assembly".
We are fully committed to delivering on that pledge in all aspects of our public duties.
Let me make the follow-up question clear: when the First Minister flies at public expense to, say, the St Patrick's Day celebrations in Washington, will she exploit the fact that she is travelling at public expense and abuse the office that she holds by espousing causes such as the Palestinian cause or the cause of Irish unity? Those are hardly Executive-agreed policies, or are they?
When arrangements are made for official travel, they are always in the context of the joint nature of our office. Speaking personally, I believe that it is incumbent on all of us to use every voice that we have to raise the plight of the Palestinian people and advocate peace and a settlement. I think that all of us watch on with horror at the slaughter there, day on day. It is important that we express our desire for our example to be a shining example of how you can achieve peace.
Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle, agus gabhaim buíochas leis an Chéad Aire as ucht a freagra.
[Translation: Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I thank the First Minister for her answer.]
Does the First Minister agree that building and maximising international relations is critically important for growth and prosperity here?
The short answer is, obviously, yes. We have enormous opportunities now open to us, including the use of dual market access, that allow us to grow our exports and attract higher-quality foreign direct investment (FDI). We should promote our reputation as a world-class destination: somewhere to live, work, study and invest. We are working with our officials to identify priority areas for international engagement, thematically and geographically. We also plan to work with our partners across the globe to promote our international objectives and bring benefits and prosperity to all of the people who live here.