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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“I am not sure whether I can choose which question to answer, but I thank the Member for his supplementary questions. <BR /> <BR />First, from a standing start, we were keen for the legislative programme to have ambition. When we came in just a year ago, Ministers were required to go into their Departments and assess what was likely to progress, but it is important that legislation also reflects the views of Ministers and Committees. Some of that legislation has gone forward. <BR /> <BR />I ask the Member to look at the example of Wales, which introduced six pieces of legislation in 2024 to our seven. There are comparable statistics. I also say to the Member that we should not always look to legislation first.”
“Since our statement last May on the initial legislative programme for the 2024-25 Assembly session, seven Bills have been introduced, with the introduction of a school uniforms Bill expected shortly. We recognise that there has been some slippage. However, that reflects the complexities involved in turning policy into legislation, rather than any lack of effort or ambition by the Executive. We have recently consulted Ministers on the progress of their Bills and on their legislative intentions for the remainder of the session and intend to make a statement to the Assembly on the full 2024-25 legislative programme in the near future. Without pre-empting that statement, we expect the majority of the Bills to be introduced by the summer recess. Information is also being gathered in preparation for the 2025-26 Assembly session.”
“It includes looking at battery packs or backup for phone masts. It is simply unacceptable that, if this were to occur again, there could be people in homes without electricity and water who are unable to phone emergency services or others for the help and support that is needed. <BR /> <BR />Absolutely, we have asked the civil contingencies team to take into account those specific points and make sure that the emergency arrangements are such that we can move quickly to stop that happening again.”
“I thank the Member for his important question. I spoke to many families who were very much in that situation. It was not just a single issue of having no electricity but two, three or more issues, in that multiple key aspects were down from their mobile phone signal to internet and broadband to water. We simply must take that into account in our civil contingencies planning. I have already spoken to our civil contingencies team and, indeed, to the First Minister a number of times about those issues. <BR /> <BR />There are mitigations that we can put in place and contingencies that we need to put in place. That is the whole purpose of civil contingencies planning. It includes simple things such as access to generators and supporting NI Water to ensure that water is not off for the length of time that it was off this time.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As outlined before in this place, our farmers do an incredible job. They are such an essential part of our economy in Northern Ireland. They are essential to the supply of nutritious, good, locally produced food. They need our support; they do not need additional burdens placed on them that are not proportionate. That is key. The theme of the most recent British-Irish Council meeting was a just transition. Often, we bandy about those words, but it is important that that is what it is in reality and that any transition from one type of economy towards a greener economy is done justly and fairly. That must mean that it is not disproportionate and unfair to our farmers or to our businesses. We must move forward with the maximum consensus and in a just way.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Collaboration is always to the benefit of anything that we are trying to do. It is not just about collaboration across Departments and agencies here but about collaboration across the UK and, indeed, these isles. I am pleased to say that those issues have been discussed at a number of bodies, including the British-Irish Council and others that are designed to help that collaboration and cooperation. The challenges that we face are the same throughout, so we can learn from our neighbours about the solutions to be found and the interventions that we want to carry out. If that accelerates and supports better policymaking and better interventions, that is certainly to the good of Northern Ireland.”
“Indeed, our draft Programme for Government has also recognised that by including the need to undertake a series of further adaptation measures, such as improved flood protection schemes in certain areas. Work on the next climate change adaptation programme is ongoing and is due to be brought before the Assembly in the coming months.”
“As an Executive, we are making progress in relation to climate change adaptation measures. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs recently published a report on our most recent adaptation programme that showed that, of over 130 individual actions contained in the programme, significant progress had been made in around 120. Furthermore, the Climate Change Committee has highlighted the fact that, while adaptation planning here is at a relatively early stage, our programmes to date have been focused on the key elements needed for positive adaptation. So, while positive progress has been made, we know that we can and will do more.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The Executive Office — the office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister — is different from other Departments in that we have to agree on an answer to go out. Sometimes that is easier than at other times, but we endeavour to turn answers around as quickly as possible. It is not as simple as a Minister looking at a question, signing it off and out it goes. We have a process whereby we try to get both sides of the office to agree on the response. There is also the issue of making sure that the details in the answers are accurate. I will write to the Member with the details of his specific question.”
“We will consider all those things in due course and make sure that our international relations strategy is fit for purpose so that we can influence as much as possible where it is practical to do so.”
“Many key areas of the international relations strategy are not devolved, but we have engagements to attract inward investment, in which we have had some success, and to build relationships and networks in the US and beyond. As indicated, we should continue to endeavour to do that. It was right and proper that revision of the international relations strategy was delayed until we saw the outcome of the presidential election. We are working through some of the implications of that. It is clear that President Trump will take a strong America-first policy. That may well have impact on, for example, the levels of foreign direct investment coming from the US, given the tariff regimes that may be entered into.”
“With every change of Administration, there is a change of tone, direction and views. There is no doubt that we will see that in the new presidential term. We will always do everything that we can to fight and push for the best deal for Northern Ireland. We have had many contributions to Northern Ireland from those types of funds over many decades, which have always been appreciated. We have raised the issue. We want to see the funding continue. We will do everything that we can to continue that engagement to ensure that it does.”
“There are many things that I do not agree with former President Biden on, but I went because I was engaging with the office of the president. It is not about engaging with the person; it is about engaging with the office for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland. We have had significant success with foreign direct investment and growing links with the US, and we must continue that.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary question. We should always endeavour to build those positive relationships. There is an opportunity because, as outlined, there are Scots-Irish and Ulster-Scots links, particularly through the vice president, who has spoken about those connections before. There is an opportunity to have those soft diplomatic links, not just for investment and trade, which have always been a key focus, but given our cultural identity and shared history. <BR /> <BR />It is important to remember that we should cherish the opportunities that we get to engage with the US president and Administration. Many other places do not get the access that we do. When we engage with the United States president and Administration, we engage with the office of the president. I went to the US last year.”
“The St Patrick's Day period offers an opportunity to deepen our connections with the US. This year, there are around a dozen events being organised. Currently, however, no invitations have been issued from the White House to Ministers. Once we have confirmation of the full range of events in Washington DC, the First Minister and I will consider our plans for engagement. It is important that Northern Ireland be represented, but we need to balance that against value for money and commitment to leadership here at home.”
“I put on record that the paper from the Finance Minister did not reference that body whatsoever, nor did it refer to the issue of the Irish language or to any funding strain that the Irish language body was under. Rather, it was about changing the way in which North/South bodies are funded from what had previously been agreed, which has been in place since the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. That is the context in which the paper and the proposal were looked at.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am not aware that it was discussed. If I am incorrect, I will certainly write to the Member. <BR /> <BR />I understand that the financial issues pertaining to that body are to do with some pension contributions or other aspects. Those issues are entirely separate from the funding that we provide. We have not reduced our funding contribution, as far as I am aware, from the 25% that Northern Ireland makes. There are some issues, but, as I understand it, those issues pertain to the Irish Government and not to the Northern Ireland Executive. <BR /> <BR />The funding model proposed, as has been referenced in the House previously, was much broader indeed.”
“We want to ensure that we can invest in the maximum possible number of things while trying to improve our public services at the same time, so I do not agree with the premise of the Member's question. We will continue to discuss those important issues, however.”
“I thank the Member for her question, but I do not agree at all that there has been a total failure. In fact, there has been significant investment in the Irish language and, indeed, in Ulster Scots over not just the past number of years but the past 18 years, from restoration back in 2007. That has led to a significant growth in the number of funded groups, funded schools and different mechanisms being introduced, as well as to the legislation that was passed at Westminster. I speak to the First Minister regularly about all those issues. <BR /> <BR />The Member is aware that the fiscal environment right across government is very difficult. People are sitting on waiting lists crying out for additional investment, which we are striving to find. Our core public services need that investment and need transformation.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I understand that the appointments will be based on the legislation on which the Committee was already consulted. Indeed, that legislation is now in place, so the appointments will be fully in line with the statutory responsibilities in that legislation and will not require consultation with the Committee or others again. They are public appointments that will be publicly advertised so that people can express an interest. A public appointments process will then be undertaken in line with the public appointments guidance. We are therefore satisfied that a lot of the work has already been completed. A significant amount of work was involved, and the First Minister and I are currently looking at the final steps required and hope to advertise the posts very shortly.”
“Preparatory work has taken place, including looking at the criteria, the spec and the advertisements. We are currently considering a very detailed submission, and we hope to advertise the posts very shortly.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He will be aware that these are new appointment processes and that there are a number of posts: not just the two commissioners but the staff in the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression, which will go out to public appointment. Departmental officials have therefore carried out a significant amount of work, which includes the business case process for all three offices; the paper that came to the First Minister and me on the establishment and broad direction of the posts, in line with the statutory responsibilities in the legislation; and work on the whole process for making public appointments. The appointments will be made in line with the public appointments guidance. That means that there is a process to be followed.”
“The appointments of the language commissioners and the director and members of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression are essential to the implementation of the provisions of the Identity and Language Act, for which TEO is responsible. We are committed to establishing the three bodies, and preparations are now at an advanced stage. We hope to be in a position to formally launch the competitions shortly.”
“However, an important part of our job is to communicate on a regular basis, and that was exactly what I endeavoured to do during the storm in order to get that communication out.”
“I thank the Member for her question. We are all aware that the way in which we communicate has changed. It is no longer through just radio, TV programmes and news channels; a huge number of people now get their information from social media. People choose more and more to get their news and information from those sources. It is therefore incredibly important that we maximise the use of those sources. That is what I endeavoured to do during the storm. <BR /> <BR />Everyone in the Chamber will be conscious that we do not have social media managers in our capacity as MLAs but rather that we do an awful lot of that ourselves, on top of all the other activities that we participate in. I have no doubt that all of us, individually, could get better at that, and I think that we are trying to improve.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The Member is aware that the Department is under the equality duty set out in section 75, as all Departments and public bodies are. We take that duty seriously. It is important to us that we are able to communicate our strategies and other information, including on the things that we do day in, day out, to the maximum number of people in the clearest possible way. That is why training of our comms people has taken place to ensure that they are fully aware of the range of tools that they have by which to make that communication clearer and fulfil our equality obligations.”
“Indeed. That is why the Department has led the way in doing that and has done so for a considerable time. We try to focus on the accessibility aspect of all our social media posts. As I indicated, that includes that, where we use videos, we try to subtitle them. We also make things as clear as possible and use the plainest language possible.”
“The practical steps that have been taken to support the accessibility of social media content across all platforms include: using alt text and descriptive captions for all images; adding subtitles to every video published on the Department’s social media platforms; ensuring that low contrast images are not used; using clear language on posts; and including only links that make it clear where the user is being directed to.”
“The Executive Office is committed to ensuring that the information and services that it provides are fully accessible to all parts of the community. That includes its communication on social media. The Executive information service (EIS) has provided accessibility training for its communications staff to enable them to understand the specific challenges of some users and the communication formats that are best suited to those users' needs. In addition, EIS has established a social media working group, a key objective of which is to share expertise, best practice and learning on accessibility.”
“Likewise, we need to ensure that it is mainstreamed and considered throughout our community organisations, councils and funding schemes. It is a vital aspect. When we look, perhaps, at older people in care homes or in different types of facilities or situations, we see that some of those people are the least able to speak out and to be heard when they raise concerns. It is vital that support mechanisms are in place to ensure that those people are also part of the campaign.”
“I thank the Member for her question. It is really important in all our consultations, particularly as we move towards a co-production, co-design process, that we include the maximum number of people and groups. It is important that, at the early policy development stage, we feed in the needs and perspectives of groups including people with disabilities and those with particular needs. That is very much mainstreamed in the Department.”
“We want to eliminate violence against women and girls, and we will continue to push those actions across local government, central government, schools and society to say, "That is wrong. We need to stop it now".”
“I thank the Member for her important question. She will be aware that ending violence against women and girls is a priority issue for us. We have met a number of agencies with our team, and we met the PSNI recently. I am pleased to say that that statistic is not accurate. It was based on flawed data. Our levels of violence are too high, but Northern Ireland is not the most dangerous place for women and girls. I hope that that gives the women and girls of Northern Ireland some assurance, because I know, from speaking to people, that that statement caused huge concern. The question that was always asked of us was, "Why is that the case?". <BR /> <BR />Our levels are too high.”
“I pay tribute to him for his responsiveness to what we asked for. He was very responsive on the coordination across UK Ministers to get us that aid. <BR /> <BR />An awful lot of the coordination between the electricity companies is done through other commercial companies, but there is no doubt that the political will from here and particularly on a UK-wide level really helped to get the additional electrical engineers. They were on the ferry on the Saturday night, on their way to Northern Ireland to help and support us. We are hugely thankful to all those people who came from Great Britain and beyond to help the people of Northern Ireland.”
“As the Member may be aware, we held an emergency Executive meeting on the Friday evening to get a good sense of what the impact might be across the Departments. There were impacts on all Departments from the damage to buildings and the interruption of service due to the lack of electricity. That was a useful engagement; indeed, the Executive endorsed and committed to reaching out to the UK Government for additional support. That happens on the basis of mutual aid. The mechanisms are there under civil contingencies to ensure that each place can get what it needs when it needs it. <BR /> <BR />We spoke to the Prime Minister on the Saturday afternoon. We participated in what is called a COBRA M, which is a UK-level ministerial meeting, chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, who was excellent.”
“It is critical that our police, Ambulance Service, Fire Service and emergency services are able to communicate and that vulnerable people in their homes who may need an ambulance or emergency care are able to get through and speak to the right people at the right time to get the help that they need in a crisis.”
“The Member is absolutely right. The communication among our blue-light services and between people in their homes, without water or electricity, and the likes of the Ambulance Service and the police is critical when we are hit with that type of storm event or crisis. We need to look at that urgently. A number of the mobile towers went down because of the lack of connectivity to electricity. <BR /> <BR />Communications are a big issue. There have to be contingencies, should that mean a backup of battery packs and generators in the relevant areas.”
“There will certainly be learning from this. The civil contingencies frameworks that we stood up immediately worked very well. In a red alert, the PSNI takes the lead, and that then moves to the relevant departmental leads depending on the issue. There was good communication internally, and we tried to be at the forefront of external communication. We were in regular contact with NIE, NI Water and others throughout. However, there is learning from this. For example, the fact that the electricity was off had an impact not just on electricity and heating in homes but on water connections and communications and mobile connectivity. Those are big issues, and, looking forward, civil contingency planning needs to take them into account and make sure that we have contingencies to hand when the unexpected happens.”
“A huge effort was put in, and I pay tribute to all the workers who made it happen.”
“We sent a clear message to the Civil Service, the public sector and businesses to let staff work from home, if possible, and avoid going out. <BR /> <BR />I think that those who woke on the Friday morning and heard the storm recognised how bad it was. It was miraculous that no people were injured or worse, and I am thankful for that. Of course, the past 10 days have been very much focused on the recovery and response. We have been doing everything in our power to make sure that the reconnections happened as quickly as possible and that issues were identified. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to Pat McFadden, the Cabinet Minister, and the entire team in the UK Government, who responded to our request for help. That was for everything from generators to water, helicopters to identify downed lines, chainsaws, tree cutters and electrical engineers.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It has been an incredibly busy week, not least for those who were out in all weathers working hard to restore power, reconnecting water systems, and clearing trees and obstructions from roads. I pay tribute to all the workers who worked tirelessly to perform such a mammoth task. The damage was unprecedented, with some 100,000 more electricity disconnections than NIE Networks had ever faced, so it has been a mammoth task. <BR /> <BR />As soon as we received advice on the incoming storm, we sent a clear message to the people of Northern Ireland to stay at home and stay safe. We held two press conferences on the Thursday to emphasise that advice. The Executive moved quickly in requiring schools to close.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Member may not be aware but, a number of years ago, there had to be a reduction in the contribution from the Irish Government because of budget constraints that they faced at that time, and we had to work with them on that. Maybe that is what the Member is referring to. If not, I am happy to follow up on her questions in writing.”
“I can speak only for myself, but, to be absolutely clear, if I was not clear in my initial answer: if the only alternative funding model on the table is one that breaks the balance between the contributions of the Republic of Ireland Government and the Northern Ireland Government to North/South bodies, that is not something that I am in agreement with. I am in agreement with that being balanced across the two jurisdictions. That gives both jurisdictions a balanced say in the activities and the funding model. That has been the agreed model thus far, and I see no reason to change that at this stage. Indeed, I see challenges in changing that.”
“That is not something that I am in agreement with, and, therefore, there is simply not agreement on that proposal at this stage. We will engage with the new Finance Minister if, indeed, that is what the Member is referring to. However, it is important to remember that, in this place, there will be some things that we do not agree with. The Executive are all about trying to find a consensus way through. We will endeavour to do that, because I believe that, thus far, we have been able to do it.”
“I do not know the specific details of what she is talking about, but I understand that she may be referring to a proposal from the former Minister of Finance about alternative funding mechanisms for North/South bodies. I assure the Member that those things have all been previously discussed and agreed. There is a careful balance in all those things, and the balance in the contribution, North and South, to those bodies is to ensure that the work that happens in those bodies is balanced in their North/South aspects. <BR /> <BR />I understand that the former Finance Minister was, perhaps, proposing to break that and to facilitate the South increasing its contribution without its being linked to Northern Ireland's contribution.”
“That is the work that we have been getting on with.”
“As I outlined, waiting lists have already begun to fall across a number of areas. More must be done, however, and it must be done more quickly. We will do everything that we can to support the Minister of Health. He is bringing forward further plans and proposals, some of which are being discussed in what they can do. We are discussing with the Finance Minister and across the Executive not only the resources that are required but how best to achieve deliverables. That is why we are establishing a delivery unit and looking not just across the United Kingdom but internationally at the mechanisms that will support delivery on this important issue. We know that it matters to people, and we are determined to deliver on it. That absolutely means identifying what the problem is, identifying the right solutions and supporting them financially.”
“I thank the Member for his question. We are one year in, and we have a determination to deliver against those key priorities. That must mean a reduction in health service waiting lists. We understand that there has been a small reduction across a number of those health waiting lists, but it is not enough. We know that it is unacceptable that too many people have been on those health waiting lists for too long. Reducing them is a key priority in the draft Programme for Government for a reason, and that is because we know that it matters to people. We have a determination to work with the Health Minister to reduce those waiting lists. Indeed, over the next year and the next number of years, we will be focusing on that.”
“All those measures will be designed to support people, but I assure the Member that we are doing everything that is in our power across a wide range of actions. A strategy will support that, but that is not the first step. Those actions are happening right now.”
“We know that the lack of affordable housing and social housing is having a significant impact on outcomes for people who are on lower incomes and their families.”