Michelle O'Neill
Mid Ulster · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“We are shocked and deeply saddened for both the victim of the horrific incident in north Belfast and the people who have been impacted on by the disorder that we have witnessed since. There is absolutely no justification for racism, violence or intimidation.”
“It is the latest chapter in a political psychodrama. It has been playing out in Westminster for forever and a day but particularly over the past 10 years. Tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of Brexit, which inflicted so much damage to the wider economy. We are now on the verge of having a seventh British Prime Minister in 10 years.”
“We cannot look at things in isolation. Whether it is the refugee integration strategy, the framework or the legislation, all those things need to move together and at pace.”
“I agree with the Member about the ugly language that was used to describe some people in our community. Like the Member, I have met many people from the black and ethnic minority community in recent times. I do that on an ongoing basis, but I did so recently given what happened over the last number of weeks.”
“There is not just one answer to it, as the Member knows. We need to come at it from every angle. That could be a policing response initially, for which additional funding was secured. I agree that this is the third year in a row in which we have had that type of racist behaviour on our streets. Likewise, I would describe it as a pogrom.”
“Building on that progress, the Executive Office is contributing £3·3 million towards the Derry on the North Atlantic Museum, which is due to open in 2027 and will further enhance Ebrington’s role as a heritage and tourism destination. <BR /> <BR />Ebrington is also continuing to develop as a vibrant events space.”
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“As the Member is acutely aware from her personal experience, the online experience of so many women is horrific, to say the least. That is why it is important that, as part of our strategy, we look at that very area. The situation is evolving, as new software comes online and there are new ways to engage online. As part of our office's work, Ofcom briefed our junior Ministers last week on its work, its regulatory framework and the passing of the Online Safety Act 2023. <BR /> <BR />Cases such as yours and other recent high-profile cases have really demonstrated why we need to get more active in the field and stay ahead of the technology. Increasingly, we all want to get ahead of the technology as best we can in this complicated world. The way in which young people engage with the online platforms is challenging.”
“Thank you. Lots of work is happening on the ground, and I can see our strategy filtering onto the ground, which is more important.”
“On 21 January, we announced £1·2 million of investment under the EVAWG regional change fund, and that funding, again, will be available up until the end of March 2026 with the support and partnership of eight community and voluntary sector expert organisations that already lead the way across the North in preventing violence against women and girls. Additionally, we have provided £600,000 across the council areas.”
“Clonoe young women's group is a small rural community group that bid to the local council for a small pot of funding that would allow it to develop a device that helped young women in the community to feel safe. I felt so proud that a strategy that we agreed in the Chamber was making a difference on the ground with teenagers — young women and young men from across society — who were talking about ending violence against women and girls. That young women's group had devised something that was funded through the programme, which shows a high-level strategy working in action. I was proud of that work and proud to see that happening. <BR /> <BR />Across all of our councils, applications are open until the end of this month, and delivery will commence from April 2025.”
“I thank the Member for the question. I confirm that £3·2 million has been allocated to the change fund under two work strands, both of which were launched in January, to assist local groups and organisations as well as eight community and voluntary sector expert organisations in their work to end violence against women and girls. As part of the EVAWG local change fund, £1·4 million has been allocated across councils. That will make grants of up to £25,000 available to community and voluntary sector organisations, which are operating in a very local way to provide funding direct to grassroots community groups to build capacity and allow them to take local action. <BR /> <BR />I was with a young women's group for International Women's Day, and I was quite surprised to learn how that funding has filtered down to the grassroots level.”
“I am not going down that route. Our strategy, which you asked me a question about, is very much about ending violence against all women in society. It is not focused on perpetrators; it is focused on ending violence against women, who are always at the receiving end of such violence. I am not taking you up on going down a one-way street of marginalising one section of the community over the other. That is not helpful. I am all about protection for women; I do not think that there is anybody in the Chamber who is not.”
“We have established key sectoral working groups to improve outcomes for women and girls in educational, workplace, social and night-time settings. Through the small business research initiative (SBRI) challenge fund, we have invested in organisations to explore how to use technological innovation to improve understanding and prevention and to improve the safety of women and girls everywhere. We are going to continue to work with Executive colleagues to support delivery and communications as well as to advise on innovation and good practice.”
“The Programme for Government 2024-27 acknowledges that we must work together across government and society to end the epidemic of violence, abuse and harm against women and girls. Our long-term focus is on early intervention and prevention. We have already made significant progress on the steps that we committed to undertaking in the Programme for Government. We have launched the ending violence against women and girls (EVAWG) change fund, representing a £3·2 million investment for community and voluntary sector organisations and grassroots communities in partnership with local councils. <BR /> <BR />We have also launched the Power to Change campaign with partners in the Department of Justice and the PSNI to challenge unacceptable attitudes and reduce harmful behaviours of men and boys.”
“Therefore, they will get to help shape the final memorial and what it might look like, what form it might take and what its wording might be. They will be part and parcel of helping to shape memorials in a way that reflects their personal experience and their wishes. We hope that that broad approach will be the best way for us to ensure that the widest possible range of voices is heard as we develop the plans further.”
“As I said, the deputy First Minister and I have met some of the groups because we want them to know that they are being heard in our office and that, as we advance the memorialisation, we do so in a way that will be received well by them and will make a difference to them and their experience. We will ensure that their voices are heard. As I said, we have made progress in this Building, but, as part of our next steps, officials will continue to engage directly with victims and survivors not only through the representative groups but by direct outreach to those who are not affiliated with any of those groups. <BR /> <BR />We also envisage that the additional element to all that will be that the Arts Council will provide a structured forum for victim and survivor input.”
“Everybody will have a different view, but we must make sure that we have a forum in which everybody's view is heard, and I can assure you that that is the determination of the deputy First Minister and me.”
“I assure you that we will do everything that we can to make sure that their views are taken on board. Those people have been failed at every turn over the years. It is important that we get this right. We are committed. The deputy First Minister and I have met some of the groups and individuals and want to continue to engage with them, because their voices are crucial. <BR /> <BR />We must get the remaining part of the jigsaw — memorialisation — right. We are making strides with memorialisation in this Building, but, wider than that, we will work with the Arts Council on what other form of memorial would be appropriate. As the Member recognised, there are different views. Some feel that an education programme would be the best way to go, and some feel that plaques are appropriate.”
“Once potential locations are confirmed, we will work with the Arts Council to ensure that the views of victims and survivors are central in designing a memorial.”
“The establishment of a memorial is the final outstanding recommendation of the Hart inquiry report, and we remain committed to its implementation. Following our engagement with the four main victims and survivors’ groups, we are pleased to confirm that there is support for fulfilling that recommendation through having a memorial plaque in Parliament Buildings. We will write to the Speaker to seek approval to progress that and are grateful to him for his support to date. <BR /> <BR />We recognise that some survivors wish to see a broader programme, including localised memorials. Officials have spoken to local authorities, and we have sought input from representative groups and people who are not associated or affiliated with a particular group.”
“As I said in my initial answer, we are at the stage of being able to move to interview. We are very close. We are very much at the end of the process. I look forward to getting the appointment over the line and announcing it in the coming weeks.”
“I know that Members of the House will welcome that as well.”
“The Irish language belongs to all of us. I want to continue to work hard to promote its development and to build on the tangible progress that we have made in our society. <BR /> <BR />I am glad to be able to confirm that competitions have been launched to recruit the director and other members of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression and the commissioner for the Ulster-Scots and the Ulster-British tradition. Each commissioner will play a leading role in enhancing and protecting language in our public services and everyday life. I look forward to that coming to fruition as we seek to build a society that is underpinned by rights and respect for all. <BR /> <BR />While we are talking about commissioners, I note that we have appointed a new Commissioner for Older People, which is a post that has very much been welcomed.”
“Yes, the fact that that post is out for appointment is a significant milestone. I think that that is very much appreciated by Gaeilgeoirí. The influence of the Irish language can be seen in every corner of life. Yesterday — St Patrick's Day — was a good example of that, with celebration across society: community groups, the media, arts, education and politics. It is very much a living language. It is everywhere. Is teanga bheo í an Ghaeilge.”
“I look forward to getting to the point at which we can make the appointment as quickly as possible.”
“We have an opportunity. As I said, we are at the end stage of the appointments process. The deputy First Minister and I will be interviewing in the coming weeks to allow us to make a successful appointment, after which we can let that person get on with doing what they believe is right for the needs of our victims and survivors community. That is really important. As the Member is very aware in her role as Executive Office Committee Chair, the commissioner's role is vital, particularly for advocacy, history and education, as well as for young people. The role is very much about improving the lives of victims and survivors, but it is equally about making sure that the services that are in place are always fit for purpose. There is therefore a huge in tray waiting for the new appointee.”
“We are pleased to advise that the deputy First Minister and I will shortly meet the candidates who have been deemed suitable for appointment by the selection panel. The appointment of a new commissioner is essential in order to inform the development of policies and to help ensure that the longer-term needs of victims and survivors are represented by a strong independent voice. As we have previously informed Members, the appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, and, as such, it must comply with the code of practice for ministerial public appointments.”
“I hope that the successful candidates will take up post without further delay, as their doing so will ensure that the VSS can continue to do its great work and that it has a full board at its core at all times. I therefore commit to getting that done as quickly as possible.”
“I can confirm my commitment to appointing a new VSS chair and board members as quickly as possible. Interviews for the posts concluded on 11 March 2024. We received an unranked list of successful candidates at the end of March, as per the Commissioner for Public Appointments (CPANI) code of practice. In June, we issued to our officials a list of our preferred candidates, who were informed by HR Connect that they had been successful. By 8 August, it was confirmed that all pre-employment checks had been completed, and we were then provided with completed political activity forms and draft formal appointment letters to sign. Again, that is a CPANI requirement.”
“Funding is distributed through an open call that the VSS manages directly. All the groups have delivery plans, which are renewed annually and align with their budget allocation. The plans are then agreed with the VSS, and delivery is monitored by it quarterly. There is therefore a fair degree of oversight of how the funding is delivered to those groups on the ground that provide excellent services to support victims.”
“The VSS is also the lead partner for the €25 million PEACE PLUS programme, which aims to improve the health and well-being of victims and survivors by increasing their access to high-quality, trauma-informed services. The VSS is now engaged with our officials on preparing a new victims' support programme from April 2026. The programme will allow support and services that the VSS and its community partner organisations provides to continue. It will also play a vital role in achieving the outcomes outlined in the strategy for victims and survivors.”
“As part of our commitment to supporting victims and survivors, we have ensured that the funding for the Victims and Survivors Service has been consistently protected from cuts. We continue to keep the level of funding under review. In this financial year, we have provided over £21 million to the VSS to ensure continued help and support for victims and survivors of the conflict, historical institutional abuse, mother-and-baby institutions, and Magdalene laundries and workhouses. Support is also provided for those accessing the victims’ payments scheme. <BR /> <BR />The VSS provides funding to community groups to deliver essential support and services to victims and survivors. In addition, this year, over 6,000 people have been supported through self-directed assistance payments alone.”
“That is why our focus is all about delivery. For my part, I want to continue to work with all around the Chamber and across our Executive to deliver the positive change that people want to see on the issues that matter most to them and their families.”
“Yes, I certainly do. It is about our effort to work together and to share in an ambitious programme for the Executive. The PFG has been designed to make things better; to improve people's lives and their lot; to do better in areas such as health, by tackling waiting lists, the environment and childcare; to grow a globally competitive economy; to provide more social, affordable and sustainable homes; to build safer communities; to end violence against women and girls; and much more. A collective focus and sustained commitment will be required if we are to deliver real and positive differences to people's lives here. That is what, I believe, we are all ultimately here to do. There will, of course, be tough financial challenges ahead, but we know that. We can — indeed, we must — make a real difference by improving people's lives.”
“To give you an example, data on the indicators for life satisfaction, self-efficacy and loneliness were published as part of the 'Individual Wellbeing' report on 6 March, and the well-being framework was updated to include those indicators just five days later, on 11 March. That gives you a sense of how, in real time, those things can be updated.”
“When you reflect on the report, you see that there have been some improvements, but there are some areas on which we need to keep a very close eye. The Programme for Government measurements are well-being indicators that will be used to chart our advances and progress across all those areas. The fact that those will be continuously updated will give us a chance to see where we are making progress and, perhaps even more importantly, where we are not making progress and where people's outcomes have not improved. There are 51 indicators in total, all of which will be updated at various points throughout the year, in line with their source of publication, because they all come from different sources. We will update those on an ongoing basis.”
“<BR /> <BR />Not everyone in our society experiences the same levels of well-being. People who reported their health as very good reported better levels of well-being than those who reported their health as bad or very bad. People with a disability reported lower levels of well-being than those without a disability. People living in the most deprived areas reported the lowest levels of individual well-being compared with those in all other areas. People in employment reported better levels of well-being than those not in employment. Our Programme for Government (PFG) highlights our commitment to working together to improve the well-being of everyone who lives and works here.”
“We welcomed the publication of the report on 6 March. It provides important data on areas that are key to the well-being of our population, such as loneliness, levels of happiness and anxiety and whether people think that the things that they do are worthwhile. Overall, higher life satisfaction and worthwhile scores indicate an improvement in individual well-being compared with previous figures. Thirty-four per cent of people reported very high levels of life satisfaction. Thirty-seven per cent of people reported very high levels of happiness, and 42% reported very high levels of feeling that the things that they do are worthwhile. Sixty-six per cent of people reported very low or low levels of anxiety. There was a significant decrease in the number of people who reported feeling lonely at least some of the time.”
“Yes. The challenges are being acutely felt across the public sector, which was already feeling challenged and was struggling because of 14 years of austerity. Put simply, when you are trying to deal with all those years of underfunding, lumping that additional cost on top of all that will be catastrophic for many people. I again call from the Chamber for a rethink of that policy. The National Insurance contribution hike will cause damage to so many people and our public sector. A lot of businesses are really worried about it. We will continue to do all that we can, and I assure the Member that we will not give up on fighting the case for local people.”
“As an Executive, our collective view is that we will continue to call for change of approach. <BR /> <BR />It is not too late. There is still time for it to be changed. Our local businesses cannot absorb the cost. We need there to be a rethink of the Labour Government's policy position.”
“Yes, I do. I have just referred to it. I welcome the Member to the Chamber, given that she has newly joined us. She is welcome, and I look forward to engaging with her. <BR /> <BR />Yes, the hike in National Insurance contributions is and will be deeply concerning for many of our small businesses. All of us will have been contacted by businesses that are afraid that they will have to close their doors or let staff go because they do not know how they will absorb the cost of National Insurance contributions. We have raised the issue at every turn with the British Government and the Treasury. The Finance Minister has done so and will continue to do so. Last week, our Finance Minister, John O'Dowd, met the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and made that case to him directly.”
“Of course, nobody wants that, particularly not in those sensitive areas, but let us not make policy on the hoof. Let us be considered about how we do things. In order to bring forward such policies, you need to ensure that there is proper documentation and lists and that you are able to refer to records. Let us not make policy on the hoof. I get the general point about making sure that you can stand over any application for funding. That is an important point.”
“I am sure that, when funding is handed out by the TEO or any other Department, all due diligence is applied to any funding or grant application that is received by a Department.”
“No. I am really incredulous. At a time when public services are being cut left, right and centre; when we have endured 14 years of austerity; when winter fuel payments to older people are being cut; when lots of small local businesses will go to the wall, because they cannot afford the hike in National Insurance; and when our farmers are worried because of the inheritance tax, I would rather see the money being invested in public services than in buying weapons of war.”
“First, he focus of the international community should always be on working towards negotiation and peace settlements. That is my approach to such things. It is only through lasting peace and genuine and constructive engagement that you arrive at a peace solution. Our example here tells us that. The support of the European countries for Ukraine absolutely needs to be solid. I welcome the fact that we have that back on an even keel and that there is no ambiguity around European support for ending the war in Ukraine.”
“Yes, I absolutely do. The deputy First Minister and I had the pleasure of being on site last week to see the plans for ourselves and to meet some of the staff. There is no doubt that it will be a real game changer in the care of our sick children, and it will bring a much improved experience at a difficult time for the families. It will also be an improved experience for the staff. Having spoken to the staff who work in the current, more difficult surroundings, I think that it will be a real pleasure for them to go to work as they provide excellent care to our young people. Once completed — I look forward to that day — it will be a game changer for children and young people across the North.”
“The announcement of a £671 million investment in a new state-of-the-art children's hospital is fantastic news for children and families across our society. It will provide children in need of care with the best facilities and the latest technology, offering them world-class healthcare here at home. It is obviously an enormous investment in children here and in healthcare more widely. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that it will have on so many lives — from young patients and their families through to the dedicated healthcare workers who provide invaluable care.”
“Yes. We have demonstrated what we can do in the first 16 or 17 months. We have prioritised it; we have put money towards it; and we have made advances in it. However, we must not be complacent: we know that there is still a lot more to be done on that front. For our part, I can say to the Member that, yes, childcare is a priority; yes, we will continue to invest in childcare; yes, we will be inclusive; and yes, we will help take the burden from families. We will also help our providers to provide the spaces and ensure that we bring down costs for families. It is about accessibility; it is about the cost factor; and it is about ensuring that we have the right number of places in the right areas.”
“<BR /> <BR />Childcare is one of the most pressing issues in society right now. The burden of childcare falls on women in particular. Often, we all meet women who tell us that they think that they have no option other than to stay at home, because of the cost of childcare. It is one of the things that the Executive need to deliver on and one on which, I believe, all four parties of the Executive are willing and ready to participate and deliver.”
“That is one of the issues that is very much highlighted in our Programme for Government, which is being discussed today. Cutting childcare costs and keeping money in the pockets of struggling families has been a day-1 priority for our Executive. Recently, I was pleased that we were able to double the funds: we have gone from investing £25 million initially to a total of £50 million for this year in the draft Budget. That is about us trying to make childcare more affordable for parents, supporting struggling providers and creating more places for children with additional needs, because we need to be inclusive. We have also included it, as I said, as a Programme for Government priority, because that puts it up in lights as something that the four parties of the Executive are committed to delivering on.”
“We are yet to agree an Executive position. I assure you that both Governments will be aware of my views, and I am sure that every other party in the House will take the opportunity to make its views known also.”
“I will be absolutely clear: it is long past the time for such groups to exist in today's society. We are 27 years post the Good Friday Agreement. There is no space for those groups to exist in our society. They exist to keep their foot on the necks of the communities in which they live. We should do all that we can to ensure that they are disbanded. <BR /> <BR />The initiative by the two Governments is for them to answer to. I share the Member's concerns. Anything that comes forward cannot be a case of throwing money at the groups; I do not agree with that. The Governments should do nothing that allows the groups to exist for even longer. I share the Member's views.”
“Yes. I absolutely give that assurance. That has been a commitment from Sinn Féin Economy Ministers since day one, and Conor and now Caoimhe have continued that vital work. We will continue to work alongside others, because such things happen in partnership, and you get so much more done when you work in partnership. It is about the Executive working with Derry City and Strabane District Council and the university to deliver on the transformative vision that we all share for Derry, which will create enormous and exciting opportunities for everyone who calls the north-west "home".”
“Yes. I was pleased that the Economy Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, announced last week that the land had been purchased. That was obviously a key part of the Magee expansion, so I am delighted to confirm that we have reached an important milestone with all three sites having been acquired to accommodate the growth to 10,000 students by 2032. The expansion of Magee has the potential to be a real economic game changer in the north-west, helping to attract investment, create more jobs and better opportunities and showcase everything that the region has to offer. It is another step in the right direction as we continue to work towards the target of 10,000 students at the campus.”
“Let me finish my point. The rest of us are trying to get the work done. Throughout the day, we will have the Programme for Government discussion, and you can have your say on how you feel about all of that. The rest of us — the four parties of the Executive — will focus on trying to get things done. <BR /> <BR />The Executive are not perfect. If anybody who walked in here on day 1 thought that they would be, they were mistaken. The rest of us are committed to working together to deliver for people.”
“That is more of a fool's question, to be honest. From day 1, I have said that I will work constructively with the Opposition, but there is making a point and using Question Time to best effect, and then there is getting up to play games. That question is playing games. <BR /> <BR />I am determined to lead in the Executive and to work with the deputy First Minister and all Ministers. There are four parties around the Executive table. They are a four-party Executive, and I am committed to making that work. The rest of the four parties here turn up every day to try to make that work, despite the challenges. You have the luxury of sitting out in comfort and biting from the sidelines, while the rest of us are focused —”