JUNE 2024
| Reference | Date | Member | Question and Answer |
| AQO 631/22-27 | Mr Colm Gildernew (SF – Fermanagh and South Tyrone) | To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for their assessment of the social, economic and reconciliation potential of a regenerated Maze/Long Kesh site. Answer 24/06/24 At 347 acres, the Maze/Long Kesh (MLK) site is twice the size of the Titanic Quarter. It has great potential in itself but can also be an economic driver not just for Lagan Valley but for the whole region. The site has immense potential as an economic hub, with around one million people living within 30 minutes of it, and it occupies a strategic location on a key transport corridor. The three existing tenants on the site deliver unique and varied activities but illustrate what really can be achieved. The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) has brought a substantial area of the site back into use and estimates that its current business levels attract approximately 375,000 visitors across a schedule of 20 events. The Ulster Aviation Society (UAS) collection of aircraft and memorabilia is one of the top attractions in the area, with an estimated 9,200 visitors annually. Air Ambulance has been tasked over 4,200 times since its operations commenced in 2017, delivering significant social and economic benefits through lives saved and early interventions. Click link above for the full answer. | |
| AQO 630/22-27 | Mr Mark Durkan (SDLP – Foyle) | To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether they discussed funding for Casement Park at the inaugural meeting of the East West Council, in March 2024. Answer 24/06/24 Our statement to the Assembly on 7 May set out the matters discussed at the inaugural meeting of the East-West Council on 26 March. The meeting focused primarily on the Council’s strategic direction and governance, including its terms of reference, its future direction and the establishment of Intertrade UK. It did not deal with specific issues, and therefore discussions did not include the issue of funding for Casement Park. Click on link above for the full answer. | |
| AQO 549/22-27 And AQO 551/22-27 | 10/06/24 | Matthew O’Toole (SDLP – South Belfast) And Cathal Boylan(SF – Newry and Armagh) | To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on when a Programme for Government will be published. And Mr Boylan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline their plan to consult on a Programme for Government. Answer 10/06/24 We are working to finalise a draft Programme for Government and hope to begin consultation soon. Publication and consultation dates are under consideration due to the pre-election period. We want to hear views on the draft document from as many people as possible during the consultation period. We will deliver a consultation process that allows individuals, stakeholders and delivery partners to help shape our vision, and we will make use of in-person and online events to help that process. For the full answer, click the link above. |
MAY 2024
| Reference | Date | Member | Question and Answer |
| AQT 329/22-27 | 28/05/24 | Aine Murphy (SF – Fermanagh and South Tyrone) | Ms Á Murphy asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in light of the fact that the tourism sector is a huge driver for economic growth, particularly in the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency, whether the First Minister agrees that growing prosperity and delivering regional balance are important outcomes for a future Programme for Government. Answer 28/05/24 It is important and essential that all our communities share the benefits of prosperity. That is why it is essential that we deliver on key infrastructure projects such as the Narrow Water bridge and the A5 and A29 road schemes, which will enhance the mobility and connectivity of communities, whilst also delivering on the expansion of Ulster University at Magee and maximising the potential of the Euro 2028 bid. All those things are solid foundations on which to build our economy in a balanced way, because regional imbalance has been a factor for far too long. We have an opportunity to turn that around, particularly with the vision for the economy that Conor Murphy set out previously to make sure that prosperity is felt across the board. |
| AQT 321/22-27 | 28/05/24 | Matthew O’Toole (SDLP – South Belfast) | Mr O’Toole asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, after welcoming Rockwell College, Tipperary to proceedings, to state when we will see a full Programme for Government, given that, when the First Minister referenced the legislative programme, which he welcomes and acknowledges, in answer to his colleague’s question, a Programme for Government, which is much broader than a legislative programme in which some of the measures are simply to keep parity with GB, was not mentioned. (AQT 321/22-27) Answer 28/05/24 Your colleague asked a question about the legislative programme specifically, so I answered that question. It is important that we get the trilogy, if you want to call it that, right: the legislative programme, the Budget, which is being debated today, and the Programme for Government. Unfortunately, the election was called towards the end of last week, and the early advice that the deputy First Minister and I have received is that it will be very difficult to publish a Programme for Government in the midst of an election campaign. For the full answer, click the link above. |
| AQO487/22-27 | 28/05/24 | Mr Daniel McCrossan (SDLP – West Tyrone) | To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the legislative programme of the Executive for the remainder of the 2022-2027 mandate. Answer 28/05/24 The Member will now be aware of the written ministerial statement on the Executive’s legislative programme that we made to the Assembly on 23 May. It sets out the Bills that, subject to Executive agreement on the substance of each proposal, Ministers intend to introduce to the Assembly before the end of the calendar year. Ministers also have a large number of other legislative proposals in development, and we intend to make a further statement later this year about additional Bills that will be introduced before the end of the 2024-25 session. For the full answer, click the link above. |
| AQO 482/22-27 | Mr Pádraig Delargy (SF – Foyle) | To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline what actions they are taking to promote Ebrington Square as an event venue. Answer 28/05/24 Ebrington has been transformed. Future developments, such as a new museum for Derry, will strengthen its economic, social, tourism and cultural impact and value to the city and the north-west. That potential will be enhanced by an inclusive and ambitious approach to creative and cultural events at Ebrington. Next month, the YES Festival will feature the creative work of women from 18 European cities and renowned female artists. Support from the Executive Office is enabling a major outdoor art installation and community activities on the square that will showcase the diverse creative opportunities for the site. For the full answer, click link above. | |
| AQT 265/22-27 | 13/05/24 | Alan Robinson (DUP, East Londonderry) | Mr Robinson asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for the deputy First Minister’s assessment of the North West 200 and to state whether she agrees that it really is a world-class event that brings huge benefits to our shores. Answer 13/05/24 I thank the Member for his question. I absolutely and wholeheartedly agree. I was there on Saturday, and it was a fantastic day and a fantastic event. I saw many volunteers working with those in the North West 200 to make it, as the Member said, not just a Northern Ireland event but a world-class event. It was absolutely fantastic. Thousands of families and spectators enjoyed the event, which had world-class competitors. It is a jewel in the crown of Northern Ireland, and we should be proud of it. I will push the case for additional support and the right support for the North West 200, road racing and other types of events that are positive for Northern Ireland. See link above for complete answer. |
| AQO 396/22-27 | 13/05/24 | Mr Matthew O’Toole (SDLP – South Belfast) | To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline when a Programme for Government will be presented to the Assembly. Answer 13/05/24 We are working at pace with Executive colleagues to develop and agree a Programme for Government. We hope to publish a draft for consultation in the coming weeks, which will be brought to the Assembly for scrutiny. It will reflect the need to reform and transform public services and will set out our collective priorities for the mandate. We are keen to bring forward a draft Programme for Government as soon as possible. See link above for complete answer. |
