I rise to raise the issue of the resignation of the Veterans Commissioner, Danny Kinahan, just last week. It impacts directly on the veterans community and, indeed, wider society in Northern Ireland. Mr Kinahan has raised urgent concerns regarding the support, protections and independent representation available to veterans in Northern Ireland. He cited an inability to:

"provide the independent voice that veterans require", which underscores a critical development in how veterans' affairs are managed in Northern Ireland. That recent event has sparked widespread concern across the veterans community and beyond, making it a matter of immediate relevance.

The role of the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland is vital in advocating for the specific needs and concerns of veterans, many of whom feel that they are being neglected, when compared with their counterparts in Great Britain. The representation in Northern Ireland claims that veterans in the region do not enjoy the same protections as those in Great Britain, which, coupled with the recent loss of the Northern Ireland Veterans' Support Office, underscores an alarming development that could lead to a gap in support. Given the sacrifices made by veterans, any perceived failure in providing adequate support is of exceptional public interest and requires immediate attention by the Assembly and the Northern Ireland Office.

The veterans' community comprises individuals who have served and sacrificed for the country. Those veterans, their families and the broader community are directly affected by the lack of an independent voice advocating for their unique needs. The resignation not only highlights the specific concerns of the veterans in Northern Ireland but brings to light the broader issue of how their welfare is managed by the UK Government, making it a matter that impacts on many citizens in Northern Ireland.