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.”
The complete record
Every one of 5,636 lines we hold for Michelle O'Neill, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 29 of 113.
“With your permission, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, junior Minister Reilly will answer question 8.”
“The deputy First Minister and I look forward to meeting the Victims and Survivors Consultation Forum this afternoon with, as I said, the intention of making a statement in the Assembly tomorrow and then opening the public consultation later in the week. It is so important that we hear all the voices — those of birth mothers, adopted adults and family members — all of whom are critical and absolutely central to the process. We are committed to meeting the victims and survivors through this process, and I urge them all to engage in it and to make their voices heard.”
“I thank the Member for asking that question. As I have said before in the House, I welcome the fact that she and other Members have worked constructively across the House on this issue, given the sensitivities around it. As the Member will know, the deputy First Minister and I have been working at pace with our officials on the launch of the public consultation ahead of the summer recess. I am really pleased that we are now at that that stage. <BR /> <BR />I really personally acknowledge — I will do so again tomorrow — all those who have campaigned for years to get to this point. I also acknowledge that the suffering that everyone endured was traumatic and terrible. Those people have waited for far too long to get access to truth and accountability.”
“This remains one of the most difficult parts of our past, and we are all personally committed to help right the wrongs of the past for those victims and survivors.”
“We remain committed to introducing legislation in the Assembly for a statutory public inquiry and redress scheme as soon as possible. It is important that victims and survivors are at the centre of that, which is why a public consultation on the key policy proposals is essential. We look forward to meeting the Victims and Survivors Consultation Forum this afternoon, with the intention of making an Assembly statement tomorrow and opening the public consultation later in the week. This is a major milestone, but there are a number of complex and sensitive issues for us all to consider carefully. It is also important we listen and hear a wide range of views. The consultation will include online and face-to-face events to make sure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to contribute during the 12-week period.”
“The development corporation is established under statute, and it has a wide range of powers to enable it to effectively take forward the regeneration of the site. I have already mentioned some of the areas where the site has been developed and that there is even more potential. Indeed, since its inception, the development corporation has had functions to do with retaining the site, with ensuring that listed buildings are preserved and around health and safety concerns. It has also been developing its plans for how it sees the site expanding into the future. I am going to focus on the positivity and the potential, and I am going to work with the development corporation to make sure that we realise that.”
“It is important that we meet the board, as I said, because that is our first step. The board may have refreshed its thoughts on a road map for the development of the site. We are going to have that meeting very shortly, and that will allow us to proceed in a way that is more informed and taps into the potential that we have. Crucially, however, it starts with the meeting that we are going to have with the board. I am hoping that we will be able to do that in the coming weeks, and then we will be able to report more and talk more. As the Member knows, we have talked about this matter in the House on a number of occasions and we are all passionate about doing it. Now it is time to turn that ambition into action.”
“<BR /> <BR />On your question about next steps, the deputy First Minister and I have accepted an invitation to meet the corporation board to take stock of the current position and to hear its thoughts on the development of a road map for the site. That meeting will inform how we proceed. The scale of the investment required is huge, for sure, but the cost of doing nothing is even greater. We do not want to see any more delays. A regenerated MLK site will work for everyone, and I want to work with the deputy First Minister to see that happen.”
“The deputy First Minister and I and the junior Ministers were all at the Balmoral show, and it is on such days that you get to see the site's real potential, which is evident to us all. The agriculture show excelled itself again this year, but we need to match the site's potential with a similar level of ambition. As I said, the site has such enormous potential for business, housing, recreation, learning and sport for us all. I want to see it developed in the same way in which we have witnessed with the regeneration of other sites, particularly the Ebrington site and Crumlin Road Gaol. Those sites have been opened up to be really inclusive spaces and are the building blocks for a shared society.”
“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. <BR /> <BR />It must also be a site for the community, and dedicated areas are envisaged for community and sports use. We must build on the common ground that we all share to realise the potential of the site for the benefit of all. We are absolutely committed to working with the Maze Long Kesh Development Corporation to achieve that.”
“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 information on that is a bit wider than the question, so I am happy to write to the Member with more detail, if that is OK.”
“We need to get that without delay so that we can move on at pace and secure our place for the Euros.”
“Yes, absolutely. It is a prospect about which we must all be ambitious. It will lead to the betterment of our wider society and bring an economic boost. The investment in sport will leave a legacy. There will be a tourism impact from it. The benefits are therefore immense. It is an opportunity not to be missed, and one that we must maximise. <BR /> <BR />I say to the Member that Casement Park remains a flagship project for the Executive. It is a commitment in the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement, and, as I have said in the past, Casement will be built, in the same way in which the Kingspan Stadium and Windsor Park have already been delivered. It is now important that we get to the other side of the election and get immediate, firm confirmation from the British Government on their stated funding commitment.”
“Whoever comes into 10 Downing Street and whoever occupies the Treasury, we want firm commitments from them on the financial package that gets Casement Park built and gets us to be part of the Euros.”
“I thank the Member for the question. He should not be surprised that the subject was not raised, because it was the inaugural meeting of a new body that will focus primarily on improving relations and having conversations. It is not intended to replicate any of the other structures that we have. It is not the forum in which to raise the issue, but I can assure the Member that I have raised it with every British Minister, including the Prime Minister, at every opportunity that I have had. Next week, when we are post 4 July, whoever comes out on the other side of the election to occupy Downing Street will have me knocking at their door to talk about the huge significance that hosting the Euros here would have and the huge economic boost that it would bring. I want us to be part of that. I do not want us to miss a moment there.”
“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.”
“I am determined to do that, and I will work with all Executive colleagues to get a proper housing supply strategy in place that allows us to deliver and make it happen for families who need homes.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am glad that our Finance Minister and the Executive are working to ensure that our finances are on a stable footing so that we can invest in essential public services in health, education, childcare and key infrastructure projects. Specifically on housing, greater public investment is definitely part of the solution, and we need to bring forward other innovative solutions so that we do what we can to plan for the future to increase the supply of social and affordable housing. <BR /> <BR />On the question of improving public services and supporting people, we have to give hope to people and families who have been on waiting lists for seriously long times that we will build homes.”
“I absolutely concur, as every Member in the Chamber should. We know that the Executive's Budget has been significantly underfunded by the British Government for well over a decade to the detriment of our public services, whether in health, education or housing. It is an unacceptable fact that we have been underfunded. We have been funded well below need, and I am glad that there is now at least some acknowledgement of that fact. That is the direct result of Tory austerity, which has meant that less social housing has been built, our waiting lists have increased and public services have declined sharply. It is just not acceptable. That is why we must speak with one voice to make the case for properly funded public services here.”
“There is no escaping the fact that housing must be built on a scale and at a speed that will address our housing situation. That is an absolute priority, and we must have that ambition. I am wedded to what was previously committed to. I am also absolutely clear that the priority of identifying 400 houses does not cut it, so I want to be constructive and work with the Minister. I know that our Finance Minister also wants to work with the Communities Minister to ensure that we do whatever we can to raise the number. That figure has been put out there in relation to the draft Budget, but we have to do better. We must do better, and I am determined that we will, because we have to give people access to good housing. We need to see action to reflect the scale that is required.”
“It is important that the Programme for Government be agreed with the Executive before we confirm what will be included in it. We have spoken previously about our priorities for the mandate, which include housing. We have also highlighted the importance of childcare, reducing hospital waiting lists, ending violence against women and girls, special educational needs, Lough Neagh and developing a globally competitive economy.”
“As I said, our junior Ministers can be credited with being out on the ground, meeting so many groups and looking at the excellent work that they do across our community. The junior Ministers carry out a raft of functions from deputising from time to time for me and the deputy First Minister to attending meetings in their own right, including everything from events in Brussels to meeting local groups. They attend meetings on issues such as ending violence against women and girls and engaging with young people. Both Ministers have engaged positively throughout their tenure.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I understand that our Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, is ready to make recommendations to the Executive on June monitoring allocations that would see the available, much-needed money being allocated to Departments to deal with the raft of pressures across all Departments, including additional money for Health or for the pay and grading review for education support workers. That is the normal, routine business of the Executive and the Assembly, and we should meet urgently to try to provide clarity for our Departments on their budgets.”
“I am aware that our Department has liaised with the Member to try to find an appropriate date. I am also aware that her Committee will, perhaps, close up earlier than other Committees at the end of the session, so perhaps there is a difficulty in finding a date. Equally, I am aware that we will meet later this afternoon, so hopefully we can discuss these things then.”
“Both our junior Ministers have been proactive on the ground, visiting a lot of our very good community organisations that do great good relations work. That is certainly an area that both Ministers have focused on. Equally, they have been in Brussels representing the Executive Office at an occasion for building our international relations. <BR /> <BR />By and large, the junior Ministers do a great job in jointly representing us at various events and meetings with different groups. They have a broad remit in supporting the Executive Office and, from time to time, carry out different responsibilities and focus on a different remit, particularly in attending meetings with relevant groups or on particular areas. They cover everything across the office.”
“The relationship between Ministers and their Assembly Committee is hugely significant, and we place great importance on developing a collaborative and constructive relationship with the Committee for the Executive Office. We met the Committee in February to discuss our priorities for the Department, and our senior management team has briefed the Committee on our legislative, budgetary and policy intentions. <BR /> <BR />In relation to future meetings with the Committee, we recently wrote to the Chair in response to the Committee's invitation to Ministers to give evidence. We advised her that we and our junior Ministers are happy to do so once a suitable date can be agreed.”
“Its purpose is to establish a statutory public inquiry to investigate issues of individual, institutional, organisational and state responsibility for human rights violations experienced in mother-and-baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and workhouses between 1922 and 1995. It will further include provision for the Executive Office to establish a redress service to administer financial redress schemes. <BR /> <BR />On behalf of the Executive Committee, we commend the legislative programme to the Assembly. We hope that Members will engage positively with the Ministers responsible for the Bills as we seek to impact positively in a practical and meaningful way the communities that we have been elected to serve.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister of Justice plans to introduce a justice Bill, primarily relating to the retention of fingerprints and DNA profiles and other provisions about child bail, remand and custody. <BR /> <BR />The Minister for Infrastructure will introduce a water, flooding and sustainable drainage Bill to provide new and additional powers across seven areas of water, flooding and drainage legislation. <BR /> <BR />Finally, as First and deputy First Minister, we will introduce a Bill on a mother-and-baby homes, Magdalene laundries and workhouses public inquiry and financial redress.”
“His successor proposes to introduce a further two Bills on the modernisation of public health legislation and adult protection. A public health Bill will replace and widen the scope of the Public Health Act 1967, which is over 50 years old and needs to be updated to make it fit for purpose. The adult protection Bill is a response to the Commissioner for Older People's 'Home Truths' investigation into Dunmurry Manor care home and the certified professional environmental auditor's independent review of safeguarding and care at Dunmurry Manor. It will introduce additional protections to underpin and strengthen the adult protection process and align it with best practice in other jurisdictions.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs will focus his legislative plans on dilapidated buildings and altering provisions relating to EU food legacy. A dilapidation Bill will confer functions on councils to provide them with a modern, fit-for-purpose regime to tackle dilapidated and often dangerous buildings and sites. In addition, the Minister proposes to introduce an agriculture Bill to provide powers to allow the Department to transition from or end the legacy EU fruit and vegetable aid scheme and EU agri-food information and promotion scheme as they apply locally. <BR /> <BR />The former Minister of Health introduced the first Bill of the mandate — the Hospital Parking Charges Bill — on 15 April. After process by accelerated passage, it received Royal Assent on 16 May.”
“A Utility Regulator decarbonisation powers Bill will provide the Utility Regulator with a new function to enable it to support the Department for the Economy in the delivery of the Executive's energy strategy and targets under the Climate Change Act 2022. An RHI scheme Bill will make provision for the future of the scheme. <BR /> <BR />The Minister of Finance will introduce the normal Budget Bills as part of the annual financial cycle and a financial provisions Bill to reconcile several routine financial matters across Departments. The Minister will also introduce a Fiscal Council Bill to establish the Fiscal Council on a permanent, statutory basis in order to bring greater transparency and independent scrutiny to the current and future state of local public finances.”
“The Child Support Enforcement Bill is scheduled for introduction on 17 June and will make provision for the enforcement of child support and other maintenance in order to maintain parity with Westminster legislation. To recognise, promote and protect British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL), the Minister for Communities also proposes to introduce a sign language Bill. <BR /> <BR />The Minister for the Economy will introduce legislation relating to his Department's financial powers, legislation to provide a new function for the Utility Regulator and legislation to make provision for the renewable heat incentive (RHI) scheme. A financial assistance Bill will resolve issues with some of the Department for the Economy's financial powers.”
“<BR /> <BR />Work is ongoing in Departments as the policy development process resumes, and we anticipate returning to the Chamber later this year with a further programme setting out the Executive's legislative intentions until the end of the 2024-25 session. The programme will be monitored regularly to assess progress and identify emerging legislation. <BR /> <BR />I will now turn to the programme itself and briefly set out the purpose of each Bill, as outlined in our statement. Members will be familiar with two of the Minister for Communities' four Bills, as the Defective Premises Bill and the Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill were introduced in the Assembly on 20 May and have already passed Second Stage.”
“With the return to full operation of the institutions in February, Ministers inherited a wide range of issues that may ultimately require the enactment of legislation. In the absence of Ministers, the development of policy across those areas had not been consistent and, in many cases, could not be translated into firm proposals for Bills. For the purposes of the legislative programme that we have presented to the Assembly, the Executive have therefore focused on the proposals that, we believe, can be introduced as Bills in the remainder of 2024. We wish to emphasise, however, that the programme by no means represents the totality of the Executive's legislative ambitions for the mandate.”
“On 23 May, the deputy First Minister and I made a written statement to advise the Assembly of the legislation that Ministers on the Executive Committee intend to introduce in the period up until the end of this calendar year, subject to Executive agreement on the content of each Bill. It may be useful for me to begin by setting out for Members the principal considerations that informed the preparation of the programme. <BR /> <BR />The context in which the programme is being presented differs from that in previous years. The continuity of policy and legislative development that would normally have been maintained between mandates and sessions of the Assembly has undoubtedly been disrupted.”
“Again, I have every confidence in the deputy First Minister's representation of the Executive Office at the occasion.”
“Can I make this one point? Perhaps the Members on the Benches opposite will care to listen to it: the deputy First Minister and I agreed the approach to how we would attend the commemoration last week. It was an agreed Executive Office approach. I am quite sure that the Member, like his colleague, would not denigrate the attendance of his party colleague. The deputy First Minister represented the Executive Office, and I have every confidence in her ability to do so.”
“My goodness. You are all electioneering here. Be serious about the issue. Either you are really serious about the issue or you are not. Of course we stand against Nazism — who does not?”
“Thank you. I appreciate that. <BR /> <BR />As I have said, our Department receives many invitations. On this occasion, the deputy First Minister represented the Executive Office. I am more than content that she did so. I have every confidence, as a matter of fact, that she represented our office very appropriately.”
“Did you want to say something, Mr Speaker?”
“Let me answer the question, considering that you have posed it.”
“From the contributions of Members, one suspects that there is an election in the offing. I think that we should keep focused on the fact that —.”
“As I said on the record, I am very happy that our Executive Office was represented by the deputy First Minister. It was agreed that she would attend on our behalf. We consider all invitations that we receive. On this occasion, the deputy First Minister attended, and I am glad that she did.”
“I concur with her comment that it was appropriate that we were represented. It was appropriate that the Executive were represented by the deputy First Minister in agreement with me. That is something that we discussed, as we do with every other invitation that we receive.”
“I assure the Member that I am very confident that I can stand over my record as a First Minister for all. I think that I demonstrate that every day in word and deed.”
“The deputy First Minister and I and our office agreed that she would attend. We were adequately represented by the deputy First Minister, and I trust that the Member will agree with that statement.”
“I am sure that the Member is not for one second trying to denigrate the role of the deputy First Minister, who was there to represent the whole of the Executive Office.”
“My original answer stands. Our Department receives many invitations, and I am more than confident — I have every confidence, in fact — that the deputy First Minister represented our office appropriately at the event last week. I attend many events and will continue to do so where possible. We were more than adequately represented by the deputy First Minister last week.”
“Our Department receives many invitations and endeavours to attend as many events as possible. The Executive Office is represented by me, as the First Minister, and by the deputy First Minister and our junior Ministers. Last week, our Department was represented at events including the D-Day commemorations, business awards and the Your Time To Shine female leaders celebration event.”