Minister's Answer Yes, it will include a review of section 167 of the 2008 Act. I am sure that everyone in the House knows that section of the Act. The review will provide certainty for institutions that are not established under the law of Northern Ireland but operate here for charitable purposes.

Minister's Answer Biosecurity is the first line of defence to protect livestock and business. Good biosecurity reduces the risk of the introduction and spread of disease. It is about taking all the efforts to reduce the risk of contact between disease-causing organisms and agents and susceptible animals, both from outside and inside the farm. First, farmers can take measures such as minimising purchases and, where purchases are necessary, doing so from low-risk disease source

Minister's Answer My officials have confirmed that the cladding to the sea wall along the Belfast Road, Carrickfergus is not a structural issue and at present, due to other high priority work, my Department has no plans to replace it. While there are many areas that would benefit from investment, due to limited budget resources, maintenance work is taken forward through the prioritisation of that deemed most in need for intervention.

Minister's Answer The Department provides gritting salt under existing agreements with a number of councils, for the removal of snow and ice from town centre footways and pedestrian areas. These agreements are activated during prolonged periods of severe weather. Priority is given to the provision of salt for the treatment of the gritted road network, after which the Department makes salt available to local Councils for the treatment of town centre footways and pedestrian are

I attended the launch of the All-Party Group on Suicide Prevention Inquiry at Stormont yesterday With 290 suicide deaths registered in NI in 2024, this cross-departmental Inquiry is a vital step towards stronger, more joined-up prevention.Evidence to the Inquiry is now open: https://s.surveyplanet.com/yogdrupj

If we are serious about improving delivery at Executive level, then we have to be clear about both the causes of failure and the limits of what so far the private member or perhaps more accurately party motions alone can achieve. I was elected to this Assembly to be a legislator to improve the lives of my constituents by changing and improving our laws, yet in this mandate so far precious little has been achieved. Alliance is in the Executive not to defend its shortcomings, b

If an European External Action Service (EEAS) office was to open in Belfast, surely it can only be a good thing. Due to our unique position in the EU and indeed the world, with our dual market access, having an EEAS office in Belfast would help not only constituents and EU citizens resident here, but also businesses in Northern Ireland. An EEAS Office would well placed to help consumers with queries, but also businesses operating from and in NI allowing the EU to see and feel

One of the biggest complaints I receive in my constituency office is about dilapidated buildings in Carrickfergus. Minister Andrew Muir is taking urgent action to tackle dilapidation in our towns and high streets. Carrickfergus deserves better, and I welcome the new legislation being introduced by the Minister.

This week is Less Survivable Cancer Awareness Week. I am calling on the Health Minister to invest more money into the research and treatment of these six cancers, in order to address long-standing inequalities in research investment, improve early diagnosis, support the development of new treatments and ultimately save lives.

Minister's Answer All councils were asked to submit applications up to £20k for the additional £220k funding. Allocations are detailed in the below table. Council Amount Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council £20,000 Ards and North Down Borough Council £20,000 Armagh and Banbridge Borough Council £20,000 Belfast City Council £20,000 Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council £17,600 Derry City and Strabane District Council £20,000 Fermanagh and Omagh District Council £20,000 L