Emma Pengelly
South Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“This week, I will travel to France to pay my respects to all those who fought and the many who fell at the Battle of the Somme as we mark its 110th anniversary. <BR /> <BR />From across Northern Ireland, generations have served their country.”
“One of the men who fought was James Sandford, my great-grandfather. He fought, he survived, he went on to fight again, and he was seriously injured in another battle. I am deeply proud of him, and I am proud of all those who stepped forward with such honour in the face of the horror of that war.”
“When I stand there this week, looking at the gravestones of so many who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom, I will also remember — we must always remember — the responsibility that we carry forward. Remembrance is not only about honouring the past; it is about shaping the future.”
“Last night, people in north Belfast witnessed horrific scenes that have absolutely sickened and appalled people across Northern Ireland. It was a shocking and barbaric act of violence that has left a victim fighting the consequences of a truly savage attack.”
“Every person has the right to walk their streets, live in their community and feel safe in their own neighbourhood. This type of brutality has no place in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />This morning, I spoke with the Chief Constable and the Justice Minister.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have also been in contact with the Prime Minister, because the PSNI has confirmed that the 30-year-old male who has been arrested is believed to be of Somalian heritage.”
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“The Executive Office's recently launched AI and digital office will boost and foster such partnerships and help us to consider how to integrate and promote public- and private-sector expertise so that we can realise the full potential of AI in transforming public services. <BR /> <BR />Time was taken at the plenary meeting to consider the challenges associated with AI and the need to shape a future in which it serves the public effectively and, importantly, ethically. The adoption of AI technologies will require there to be appropriate governance measures that provide assurances to citizens and stakeholders on data-sharing and security. It is vital that we upskill our people in order to maximise the opportunities that are provided and, importantly, to bring them with us on the AI journey.”
“The council discussed the approaches that member Administrations are taking to harness AI technologies for public-sector reform and transformation across these islands. We took time to share knowledge and best practice, while identifying common challenges and how to make the most of shared opportunities. <BR /> <BR />Administrations agreed on the need for a shared commitment to collaboration across these islands and stressed the significance of working closely with external partners, including academic institutions, SMEs and global investors. Such partnership working is key to fuelling innovation and growth and unlocking the opportunities that are offered by AI.”
“The Government of Guernsey were represented by the Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Trott; the Government of Jersey by the Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham; and the Isle of Man Government by the Chief Minister, Deputy Alfred Cannan MHK. A full list of the principal plenary attendees is attached to the statement, which has been provided to Members. <BR /> <BR />The theme of the summit was the role of AI in reform and transformation. The plenary meeting commenced with a discussion about the importance of digital transformation and the strategic deployment of AI technologies, which offer unprecedented opportunities to modernise government, enhance service delivery and improve operational efficiency to build more agile public services.”
“The forty-third summit of the British-Irish Council (BIC) took place on 13 June 2025 and was hosted by the Northern Ireland Executive. The First Minister and I co-chaired the summit plenary meeting, and we were accompanied by Ministers Givan, O'Dowd and Nesbitt and junior Ministers Reilly and Cameron. The Ministers have agreed that I make the statement on their behalf. <BR /> <BR />The UK Government delegation was led by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP; the Irish Government delegation by the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD; the Scottish Government delegation by the First Minister, the Rt Hon John Swinney MSP; and the Welsh Government delegation by the First Minister, the Rt Hon Eluned Morgan MS.”
“Good news: it has been published. It was published several weeks ago, so I hope that the Member will take a look at that online. Indeed, we are moving forward with implementation of that.”
“The Member will be aware that that is in the legislative programme and that it is the responsibility of the First Minister and me to bring that forward. He will also be aware that the aim is to get all legislation introduced no later than mid-autumn in order to give it the best chance to get through the House before the next election. That is the time frame that we are endeavouring to meet. The consultation ended in 2023. A lot of work has taken place on that legislation with the Office of the Legislative Counsel (OLC), which is the drafting office. We hope to have those proposals with us prior to the summer recess. That will enable finalised drafting to happen over the summer, with the aim of introduction in September or October of the new term.”
“In the Executive Office, we can try, as a central Department, to coordinate that under the strategies and to make sure that those strategies are cohesive and come together and, importantly, that the right interventions are identified, the right people are delivering them and they are delivered in the right way in the right place. That is critical.”
“I thank the Member for her question. There are a number of aspects to it: the PSNI and the criminal justice system, and we have the Home Office coming in. It supports just over £11 million a year for integration work, but, of course, that is coming in from a non-devolved source. The Executive Office distributes that through the other Departments. We have councils, the Housing Executive and housing associations. Importantly, we have those incredible organisations in our third sector — the community organisations. I pay tribute to the organisations that worked on the ground to get people off the streets and to get young people back in their homes and appealed to people to stop the violence. That was incredibly helpful in the past number of days. They require that support.”
“No matter what part they come from, we should be there to have the backs of the people of Northern Ireland, and we should do that in a mature way and by showing the leadership that the people of Northern Ireland expect of us.”
“I am not aware of which comments in particular the Member refers to, but let me be clear: people need to stop the silly games; people need to grow up; and people need to step up. That is what the people of Northern Ireland demand of us; that is what the people of Northern Ireland expect of us; and that is what we need to do. We need to get together, get our act together and send the clear message that violence is wrong but also that we have people's backs, we will listen to people, and we will do our best to really bring about positive change on the big challenges that people face. <BR /> <BR />Let me be clear: there are too many people across Northern Ireland who are facing difficult times, are really facing that hardship and really need the support of their Executive. That is what we need to do.”
“If it is a strategy that sits on a shelf and does nothing, it is absolutely useless. Our strategies must work, and our frameworks must work. We need to get the money out to support people with the right interventions at the right time. Those must be the interventions that work with local communities and local people that help to solve the challenges that people face.”
“First, we need to be clear about our message, which is both that the violence is wrong and that we will listen to communities on the ground. It is absolutely important in all this that communities feel empowered to talk to us about the issues that they face. We need to listen, and we need to take action. I assure the Member that I am very much about action. I was very much involved in creating the Urban Villages scheme. Together: Building a United Community involved real money getting out on the ground, should it be for summer camps, working with schools or whatever the projects may look like. The social investment fund benefited so many parts of Northern Ireland, and I was very much involved in creating that. We have very much been about action. <BR /> <BR />Yes, we need the strategies, but a strategy is a strategy only if it works.”
“However, we would love to have more money to put towards the measure not just in working with great organisations such as Women's Aid and other groups that work with the victims of that violence but, importantly, in doing preventative work on tackling the misogynistic attitudes that give rise to the violence. That is all really important. The more money that we can get for that important work, the better. We will seek that as we move forward through the delivery of that framework and delivery plan.”
“That strategy is about making every woman and girl feel safe in Northern Ireland, and that is an inclusive approach. The Member will be aware that the strategy and the framework clearly include those from an ethnic minority background. From talking to people on the ground, I know that they are clear that there is a fear about the safety of women and girls. We have those schemes coming out through the councils, and that money is already hitting the ground. <BR /> <BR />There is much more to be done. We have said before that the money that we have secured is welcome.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is really important to listen to people, do everything that we can and do that work to see where people are coming in, what the social cohesion issues are and what support we can give to support those communities. That is why the racial equality strategy, our race relations approach and Together: Building a United Community are important. For 50 years, we have been working on relationships between the communities that have been here for many generations, so, of course, there is a huge amount of work to be done on working with new communities and the host communities. That is what we really need to focus on as an important part of our work in the Department.”
“I thank the Member for his important question. The reality is that integration often does not happen by chance. It will not happen accidentally. When communities have been changed or are changing, there can often be those frictions and social cohesion issues. We know that; it is common all over the globe. Therefore, as I said, it is important for us to get down into communities to really listen to them about the challenges that they face. However, it is also important that we are careful about the policies and approaches. Last summer, we saw a huge number of clusters of Mears housing and different things coming in and impacting on communities, and communities were feeling that the politicians sitting in this place did not understand and were not listening to what they face day in and day out.”
“The frustrations that we have seen are around what we need to do to support those people to get access to affordable housing and access to services. <BR /> <BR />There is an issue with supply and demand. The challenge with that is that, when people are frustrated and in a difficult position, there are forces out there — people out there — that are prepared to do everything that they can to manipulate the situation. We need to step up and do our part, but we also need to listen to people in those communities when they talk about social cohesion and the issues that they face in order to make sure that their lives are much better than they are at the moment.”
“I take the opportunity today to pay tribute to the many people who come to Northern Ireland who significantly contribute in many ways, not only by adding to the richness of our identities and cultures but by working in our health service, which simply could not survive without their incredible work. They also work in so many other sectors. <BR /> <BR />We also want to attract the brightest and the best from across the world. If we are to be global leaders in technology, cyber and advanced engineering, we need to attract the brightest and the best. The reality is this, however: many communities in the most deprived places really struggle to get access to housing and public services. It is our duty to listen to those people.”
“At the moment, there are people on the ground who feel scared. There are people on the ground who have lost their home. There are communities that genuinely want their serious concerns and the issues that they face day in, day out to be listened to. It demeans this place and demeans all of us to keep coming back to what is effectively a party political point-scoring exercise. Let us drop the silly games and focus on working together for communities, listening to communities and addressing the big issues. I advise the Member that we can address those issues only by standing together, united, and not by taking lumps out of one another in this place.”
“The best of them will be rolled forward into the revised racial equality strategy, but, importantly, on your colleague's point, it is not just about equality but about social cohesion, which is why social cohesion must be fully integrated into the new Together: Building a United Community strategy as well.”
“I assure the Member that that work is under way, and some of the learning from it has already been put into practice. One example is the coming together of the particular units under one directorate in the Executive Office. While some of that does not sound particularly interesting, it is really important that the aspects work well together. Likewise, the review of the first racial equality strategy is really important, because a number of structures have been set up. Some are working really well. For example, in our forums, we have regular exchanges and listen to those from the ethnic minority community. There is also work being done on the policing and justice side to tackle hate crime. <BR /> <BR />There are many elements.”
“That is what the First Minister and I will strive to do through the reviewed T:BUC strategy, which will be coming very shortly.”
“We need to continue to identify areas where there are tensions and issues, and we need the right interventions that are based on the good practice that we have seen in other situations. It makes huge sense for it to be joined up.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As the Member is aware, that process is under way. Many of the key aspects of T:BUC endure, and many key principles will remain. Of course, as I have said before, I would like to have seen in the first Together: Building a United Community strategy a focus not only on what were termed "traditional communities" but more widely. <BR /> <BR />The T:BUC strategy is grounded in section 75(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Of course, that is wider and covers race relations as well. It is incredibly important. Similar interventions are required across this area. Really good learning from what we have done in good relations and the CIT programme can be deployed in those areas.”
“We have to ensure that a clear message is sent that, if people are going to go out on to the streets of Northern Ireland to cause fear and destruction, a swift penalty will be paid. That is the way in which our justice system ought to work.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He is absolutely right: for us to have the right response, all parts of that response must work. Of course, we want to prevent it from ever happening again, but that will require those strategies, interventions and funding support. However, were it to happen again, it would demand a robust policing response. That requires the right support to be given to the PSNI, which has not happened thus far. We need to do our best to ensure that we give the PSNI the funds that it needs. We also need to ensure that the criminal justice system is responsive to such issues so that people can be processed and that justice is not only done but seen to be done.”
“I thank the Member for his important question. It has been disappointing over the past week to see people take part in party politics and silly games at a time when it was really important to the people whom we serve that we send the message that we stand united, that our clear demand is that the violence stop, that we offer our clear support to the PSNI and that, importantly, together we will listen to local communities and do everything in our power to prevent this from happening again. Last week, because of ongoing the distractions and debates, the messages were mixed; indeed, if this were to happen again — I hope that it does not — the lesson should be learned that we need to show the leadership that is demanded of us. That means supporting all those who were impacted on by that terrible, violent disorder.”
“We have been absolutely clear and united. The Communities Minister has been unambiguous, I have been unambiguous and politically, we have been unambiguous: the violence was wrong and needed to stop. Indeed, as the Communities Minister said clearly, he was endeavouring to defuse the situation and ensure that it was made clear that the rumours and myths that were going around in the community were not true. There was never any justification, even if those rumours had been true. There was certainly no suggestion of a justification that any violence take place. As he clearly said, his intentions at all times were to defuse tensions and avoid violence and any type of racism. Let us be clear: we are unambiguous in saying that the violence was wrong and that it had to stop.”
“<BR /> <BR />I advise the Member to calm his rhetoric and, if he is talking about working together, to truly work together, because everything must come together for this to work: action on the ground, the right funding support for the PSNI, work with our community organisations and listening to local residents. From a policy perspective, importantly, we need to get the strategies right, because the strategies will support that work and those structures and that funding going to the right people at the right time. That is not waffle. That is not a waste of time. That is absolutely essential, if we are genuinely to change people's lives for the better.”
“The PSNI has come out with a clear assessment that there is no evidence of loyalist paramilitary involvement. I have to say to the Member that it is not about standing here and waffling. Over the course of the past week, I was in touch with the Chief Constable every day. I spoke to local representatives on the ground. I went to Ballymena to speak to residents. I met the family of the child who was assaulted. I met families from the ethnic minority community whose properties were subject to arson. I have been in contact with many people because I believe in action: being there and listening to people.”
“<BR /> <BR />Ultimately, we want the strategies to work. It does not matter how many of them there are, how glossy they look or how long they are: we want the outcomes at the end of them. That must mean that they are all joined up and that we use resources in the best way possible to effect positive change and increase social cohesion.”
“I thank the Member for her follow-up question. She is absolutely right: it is important that, when we talk about collaborative working, which we often do, we talk not just about collaboration between the Department and those outside it but about collaboration within the Department. That is why I am pleased to say that we have joined up the refugee and asylum unit and the race relations unit. Also important is the fact that the T:BUC review is under way. As we look forward to T:BUC 2 coming down the line, we see that its focus will be social cohesion, which, as I said, goes much wider than references to the traditional communities. We know that identity in Northern Ireland is much more complex than that and goes beyond those often referred to as the "host community". We are an increasingly diverse place.”
“However, we cannot tackle the issue in isolation if we are to create a safe, prosperous and welcoming society for all. Critical to the success of our work is a truly joined-up approach to addressing the issues across government and wider society, and everyone has their part to play in that.”
“<BR /> <BR />We recognise that we live in an increasingly diverse society and that good community relations go beyond what are often referred to as traditional community backgrounds. The T:BUC review and plans for the new approach to racial equality post 2025 acknowledges that, and we are committed to developing a more collaborative approach across relevant strategies as part of the refreshed approach to good relations.”
“First and foremost, my thoughts and support are with those who have been impacted on by the recent disorder. The Executive unequivocally condemn the violence that has been witnessed, and I, again, call for calm across our communities. We assure you that ensuring the safety of and support for all those affected is of paramount importance in our collective response. There can never be justification for the violence that has taken place, which has resulted in residents fearing for their lives and numerous PSNI officers being injured. We send our best wishes to all those who have been affected and thank the PSNI, the Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) and the many community organisations and local representatives for what they have done to try to support those communities.”
“It is very simple: if you have additional people coming in, you need to make sure that you have the public services to support that. At the moment, there is not that connectivity, there is not that planning, and there is already pressure on those public services — a pressure that we need to address.”
“<BR /> <BR />Let us try to have a logical conversation about that, not one that is based on a back and forth about ideological positions.”
“I am not sure what the Member means, because, of course, they go onto a list and are allocated a place. On the wider issue of immigration, I have visited many primary schools where there are children from all over the globe. Many of those children are from families contributing positively to Northern Ireland; of course, they are. I advise the Member that, in the debate, when you have an increase of population in a town, village or city, there is a corresponding need for services for those people — of course, there is — because you need to meet a health need, an educational need for children and the housing need. It would be deeply irresponsible to put hundreds or scores of people in particular places and not have the services to meet that need.”
“I advise the Member that, certainly from my viewpoint, it is basic and logical. The provision of public services has two aspects: supply and demand. We need to do much more to ensure that the supply of GPs, health services and houses can be increased to meet demand. However, increased demand inevitably means additional pressure on supply. That is just logical.”
“Of course, I want to see that potential fulfilled. We have to move forward with sensitivity on that.”
“I thank the Member for his follow-up question. Look, I do not live in a world of wishes and lullabies; I live in reality, and that reality is that we need to get agreement on the future of the site. I believe that we have agreement on around 95% of the site for sport, community, nature and economic development. That cannot go ahead at the moment because there is no agreement on the listed buildings. As I indicated to you, the thing that will lift that is the First Minister agreeing with me to allow that potential to go ahead on the least controversial aspects of the site while we continue to work with stakeholders and others to find a possible future use for the listed buildings. That is the reality. That is what I hear on the ground in Lagan Valley. I am not sure whether the Member is not hearing that on the ground in Lagan Valley.”
“I appeal, of course, to the First Minister to allow for the economic development of the rest of the site. It is not just economic: we know that it has sporting potential and that a huge range of uses could happen on the site to get that moving while we continue to have those discussions around the listed buildings.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I echo what I said on that occasion: I want to see the site moved forward. As I said, that can happen only in a space where we work with people with regard to the sensitivities — genuine sensitivities — and hurt about things that happened on that site. <BR /> <BR />As I have indicated, I do not believe that continued discussions on the listed buildings should hold back economic development on that site. That economic development is not controversial. It could be happening right now, if, indeed, there were agreement with the First Minister to allow that to happen. What happens with the listed buildings in the future will always be the most difficult aspect of the site. At the moment, that discussion is holding back the rest of the site.”
“That is why it is important for us to condemn not just such behaviour in the present but the absolutely unjustified acts of terrorism and sectarianism of the past.”
“I thank the Member for her question. This is not about calling out just one side. I appeal to the Member to make sure that, in calling out such behaviour, she calls out all sides. There are activities by criminal organisations and by dissident republicans; there is glorification of the terrorism of the past; and there are ongoing threats and intimidation in some places. We have come a long way, but there is still a journey to go. We should not only stand shoulder to shoulder and call out all sectarianism and intimidation but do so not just for what is happening now but for all the terrorism, intimidation and sectarianism that happened in the past. We do not send that clear message to a new generation when we partake in the glorification of terrorism.”
“I thank the Member for her question. There is no space for sectarianism in our society. Whether it comes from thugs who threaten others, from people who attempt to intimidate or from bands, singers or whoever else who are trying to put across messages that are clearly deeply sectarian, it is wrong, and we need to call it out at every level. One is not just a bit of a laugh and the other to be called out; we need to have consistency from top to bottom. Sectarianism is wrong. Call it out.”
“Absolutely. We hope not only that we will get additional funds but that the funding will cover a number of years. As part of that, I will make the case for additional funds for policing. Those are absolutely necessary. The PSNI needs to be given the funds that it requires to fulfil what it needs to do, which is to protect the people of Northern Ireland and, of course, to bring criminals to justice.”
“I thank the Member for his important question. Confidence in policing and justice is hugely important, but it is also important that policing and justice get the support that they need in order to do what they need to do. We have heard clearly from the Chief Constable the pressures that the PSNI is under. We need to step up and support the police. Our police officers go out, day in and day out, on the front line to do what they need to do to protect and serve. They deserve to get the funding required for them to fulfil their duties and do what they need to do.”
“I thank the Member for his question. People's cultural traditions and identities should be respected across the piece. The Member may not like that tradition, but he does not have to. He does, however, have to respect the fact that there is difference in identities and that people have pride in their long-running traditions. As indicated in my initial response, we make sure that all funds are fully accounted for, that activities are carried out in line with the purpose for which the funds are given and that any allegations are fully investigated.”
“I thank the Member for his question. We believe in transition and in the ability of people to move on from where they once were, but that must mean that they move on. We will offer that support to those who have indicated a willingness to move on, but we must protect public funds in every way possible. We have procedures in place to make sure that there is full accountability for public funds; indeed, those who work in organisations in CIT sign up to a declaration that commits them to exclusively peaceful means. If any allegations are made against individuals, they are raised with that organisation and a full investigation is required by it, depending on the type of allegation that has been made.”