Caoimhe Archibald
East Londonderry · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“Taken together, that points to a scheme that is operating effectively in its early stages, while, of course, remaining under review as further evidence becomes available. <BR /> <BR />I therefore commend to the Assembly the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Employment and Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.”
“I seek the Assembly's approval for the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Employment and Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. The statutory rule was made on 1 April and came into operation on 6 April. It is before the Assembly today under the confirmatory procedure.”
“The 2026 regulatory impact assessment estimates one-off employer familiarisation costs of up to £1·36 million, with wider HMRC implementation costs forecast at £1·5 million and annual systems maintenance costs of around £10,000. It may assist Members to note that early implementation has gone smoothly.”
“The amendment ensures the continued operation of those regulations and forms part of a wider package of legislative measures establishing statutory parental bereavement pay as an entitlement for bereaved parents.”
“The regulations before the Assembly today are a key part of that implementation and ensure the continued operation of the statutory parental bereavement pay framework. The policy objective is clear: to support bereaved working parents at a time of profound loss and provide a minimum standard of protection in law.”
“<BR /> <BR />The confirmatory procedure means that the regulations before the House today have come into operation before the Assembly debate has taken place and must then be approved by the Assembly within the relevant statutory period. In this case, the deadline for approval is 20 September 2026.”
The complete record
Every one of 3,774 lines we hold for Caoimhe Archibald, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 76.
“I beg to introduce the Renewable Electricity Generation Bill [NIA Bill 42/22-27], which is a Bill to confer powers to provide financial assistance for the purposes of encouraging low-carbon electricity generation.”
“The regulations are subject, as I said, to confirmatory procedure and require Assembly approval within the relevant statutory period. With statutory rule No. 58, they help to ensure that the statutory parental bereavement pay framework remains workable, effective and capable of supporting bereaved working parents in the way intended in the wider 2026 reforms. <BR /> <BR />I am happy to commend the regulations to the House.”
“Taken together, that points to a scheme that is operating effectively in its early stages, while, of course, remaining under review as further evidence becomes available. <BR /> <BR />I therefore commend to the Assembly the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Employment and Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. The regulations amend the employment and earnings provisions that apply to statutory parental bereavement pay. They form part of the wider 2026 parental bereavement reforms and support the updated statutory parental bereavement pay arrangements. The purpose of the regulations is to ensure that employment and earnings rules within the statutory parental bereavement pay framework are aligned with the strengthened 2026 arrangements, including the move to a day-1 right for statutory parental bereavement pay.”
“The 2026 regulatory impact assessment estimates one-off employer familiarisation costs of up to £1·36 million, with wider HMRC implementation costs forecast at £1·5 million and annual systems maintenance costs of around £10,000. It may assist Members to note that early implementation has gone smoothly. In the first two months since the changes came into force, approximately 70 claims have been received. HMRC has advised at this early stage that no issues have been identified in the operation of the scheme. Given that the policy was introduced only recently, HMRC has indicated that it does not expect to provide substantive evaluation data until later in the year. In addition, no adverse feedback has been reported by nibusinessinfo, suggesting that the guidance provided to employers has been clear and accessible.”
“Now, eligible parents who have commenced employment at the time of their miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a child can also claim statutory parental bereavement pay from day 1. That is a significant improvement in support for bereaved parents and prospective parents. By working together, the Assembly has made the North one of the first places to offer a full two weeks of leave and set a minimum level of pay for that wider group of bereaved parents. The package supports employees, provides enhanced rights and contributes to the wider goal of encouraging good jobs. <BR /> <BR />It is important that the framework is clear and workable for employers, including small and medium-sized businesses.”
“I seek the Assembly's approval for the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Employment and Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. The statutory rule was made on 1 April and came into operation on 6 April. It is before the Assembly today under the confirmatory procedure. <BR /> <BR />Again, I am grateful to the Economy Committee and the Examiner of Statutory Rules for their scrutiny of the rule. It was made with the concurrence of HMRC and the Treasury, and I thank them for their assistance. The confirmatory procedure means that the regulations came into operation before the debate and have to be approved by the Assembly within the relevant statutory period. In this case, the deadline for approval is 6 October 2026. <BR /> <BR />Before 6 April, only parental bereavement leave was a day-1 right.”
“I thank all the Members who spoke in support of the regulations. I reiterate my thanks to the Committee for the Economy for its scrutiny of the legislation. I am happy to commend the regulations to the Assembly.”
“The amendment ensures the continued operation of those regulations and forms part of a wider package of legislative measures establishing statutory parental bereavement pay as an entitlement for bereaved parents. In particular, the regulations were brought forward to ensure that the existing pay framework can continue in operation and to support the wider 2026 changes, including the strengthened arrangements associated with miscarriage provisions and the move to a day-1 right to statutory parental bereavement pay. <BR /> <BR />The regulations are before the Assembly, as I said, under the confirmatory procedure and require Assembly approval. They form part of the measures intended to ensure that bereaved parents continue to have access to a clear and effective statutory parental bereavement pay framework.”
“The Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 amend the existing statutory parental bereavement pay framework by omitting regulation 37, which is titled "Expiry", from the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (General) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023. The expiry provision was originally included to reflect the transitional nature of the scheme when entitlement to statutory parental bereavement pay was subject to additional qualifying conditions, including a 26-week employment requirement. The Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 2022 required those conditions to cease no later than 6 April 2026, when the pay entitlement became a day-1 right.”
“The regulations update that statutory parental bereavement pay framework by removing the expiry provision and ensuring that the scheme continues seamlessly as we transition to a day-1 entitlement for bereaved parents in line with the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 2022. That supports our wider legislative efforts to provide clear, effective support, including strengthened miscarriage provisions, and guarantees that working parents who face bereavement retain protected access to statutory pay. The regulations are now before the Assembly for approval, reflecting our commitment to compassionate and robust workplace rights. <BR /> <BR />I commend the following set of regulations to the Assembly for approval.”
“<BR /> <BR />The confirmatory procedure means that the regulations before the House today have come into operation before the Assembly debate has taken place and must then be approved by the Assembly within the relevant statutory period. In this case, the deadline for approval is 20 September 2026. It is therefore right that the Assembly now has the opportunity to consider and decide on the regulations. <BR /> <BR />By way of brief background, the policy to which the regulations relate builds on earlier consultation and legislative action to establish parental bereavement leave and pay. The aim has been consistent: to provide that support to working parents through the statutory right to leave, together with an associated statutory payment framework.”
“The regulations before the Assembly today are a key part of that implementation and ensure the continued operation of the statutory parental bereavement pay framework. The policy objective is clear: to support bereaved working parents at a time of profound loss and provide a minimum standard of protection in law. <BR /> <BR />Parental bereavement leave and pay are important employment rights. They recognise that grief is deeply personal and that working parents should not have to carry the additional pressure of losing income when they step away from work. Together, the 2026 reforms strengthen that support. They reflect the Assembly's commitment to an employment rights framework that is compassionate, practical and responsive to the realities faced by bereaved parents and their families.”
“Those regulations extended parental bereavement leave and pay to parents who experienced pregnancy loss before 24 weeks, alongside existing provision for stillbirth and the death of a child before their 18th birthday. They were unanimously approved by the Assembly on 24 March 2026 and came into operation on 6 April 2026. <BR /> <BR />In my former capacity as Chair of the Economy Committee, I proposed that parental bereavement leave and pay should be extended to workers and employees who experience miscarriage and that the full entitlement should be available from the first day of employment. The Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 2022 placed a statutory obligation on the Department for the Economy to make those changes by 6 April 2026.”
“I seek the Assembly's approval for the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. The rule was made on 19 March and came into operation on 20 March. It is before the Assembly today under the confirmatory procedure, and I am grateful to the Committee for the Economy and to the Examiner of Statutory Rules for their scrutiny of the rule. The rule was made with the concurrence of HMRC, and I thank it for its assistance. <BR /> <BR />I am also grateful to Members who contributed to the debate and passage of the Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay (Miscarriage) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“We need a sustainable Budget so that we can continue to support the investment that is required in order to deliver on our potential.”
“I can assure the Member that they are certainly not overlooked or forgotten by me, as someone who represents those areas. I do not accept the Member's assertion that the north-west means Derry and Strabane. It is much wider than Derry and Strabane. We should be looking at the significant potential of the whole economy of the north-west, because we have really significant institutions there that are doing really good work through our universities and colleges. There is cutting-edge, world-class research and innovation being undertaken, and it is important that we continue to support that. We are doing so through our growth deals in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and the Derry City and Strabane District Council areas, and that is why, as I said, we need to see a sustainable Budget for the Executive.”
“Clearly, from a constituency perspective, I also want to see a strong and thriving campus in Coleraine. I believe that we can see three campuses of Ulster University thriving, and that is why the work that I spoke about in response to Connie Egan's question is so important. We need a Budget that allows us to invest effectively in our universities, given their significant potential and the world-class research and innovation that is being undertaken at them.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The Member will be aware of the significant and positive work that is being undertaken through the Causeway Coast and Glens growth deal that will support the already fantastic capabilities at Ulster University's Coleraine campus. The Member will also, I hope, be aware of the 12% increase in student numbers at the Coleraine campus since the Executive returned, alongside the increase that we have seen at the Magee campus. <BR /> <BR />Of course, the investment in the Magee campus is an Executive-agreed priority and a Programme for Government commitment, and that is why the investment has been focused in that way. It is important that we ensure the development of the economy in the north-west and deliver on the potential of the area.”
“I thank the Member for her question. As I mentioned, the first stage of the review was the financial needs assessment, which was undertaken by Higher Futures. It was an independent analysis, and we will continue to work with independent experts as we take the review forward. <BR /> <BR />It is important that we get buy-in from our higher education institutions, and I will continue to work with them. However, we also need to make sure that the review goes forward. It is important that we try to get a consensus, but it is also important to move the process on. As you would expect, I have had considerable engagement with all our higher education institutions, and I will continue to work with them to get the process moving.”
“We anticipate that the review will take about 18 months to complete. It is important to undertake the work to get a proper insight into the needs of our higher education sector. However, to invest in the sector in the way that we need to, we need a Budget that the Executive can work with, and, as Economy Minister, I need my fair share of it.”
“I thank the Member for her question. Her question reflects the difficult position that we are in because the Executive have not yet been able to agree a Budget. I note the Fiscal Council's annual review that was published today, which supports the Executive's case that we are not funded in the same way as Scotland and Wales, and I hope that the Treasury takes that on board. We need to see a sustainable Budget that will allow us to invest in our public services; one that will allow me, as the Economy Minister, to invest in our universities in order to develop our local economy. <BR /> <BR />The first piece of work in the higher education funding review was the financial needs assessment, and that has been completed and published. We are developing the terms of reference for the next phase of the work. That is ongoing.”
“We will continue to support businesses owned by people from minority ethnic backgrounds and the workforce, who are hugely important to our local economy and society.”
“I completely agree with the Member. I mentioned to Paula Bradshaw earlier that what we saw on our streets last week was absolutely disgraceful and has to be unequivocally condemned by everybody. It caused significant damage and disruption to public services, businesses and our local economy, and it came at a time when businesses were already under pressure. <BR /> <BR />My Department has reached out to business representatives to better understand how they have been impacted. The sector is keen to get back to business as usual as quickly as possible and to demonstrate that we remain open for business. We are a welcoming people, and we have a lot to offer, and that is what we want to present to the world.”
“The figures are hugely encouraging and reflect the growing appeal of the city and district and the work that is going on there to develop the tourism offering. <BR /> <BR />As I mentioned in previous answers, we announced funding for a number of events across the north-west, including the 40th anniversary of Derry's Halloween festival.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The NISRA tourism statistics for 2025 have only recently been published. They show that tourism is flourishing in the north-west, with overnight stays increasing in Derry City and Strabane District Council and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council areas. The latest figures indicated that the two areas together welcomed more than one and a half million overnight trips during 2025, generating total visitor spend of £278 million. <BR /> <BR />It is particularly encouraging to see the growth in Derry City and Strabane, where all the key metrics increased compared with 2024. Overnight trips increased by 35%, the number of overnight visitors increased by 28%, and visitor expenditure increased by 13·5%.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members will have heard me say at different times that our statutory targets are ambitious and that we need to have the schemes in place to help us to meet those targets. The REPG scheme in particular is key to the delivery of 80% renewable electricity by 2030 and, of course, our net zero target.”
“I thank the Member for her question. On 26 March, the Executive agreed the renewable electricity price guarantee scheme policy intent and that work would progress on the primary Bill required to implement the scheme. Officials have now concluded the work with the Office of the Legislative Counsel (OLC). The draft primary Bill is complete, and the newly titled renewable electricity generation Bill was sent to the Executive for consideration at the last Executive meeting. Subject to Executive approval, the Bill will be introduced to the Assembly, and, once the primary Bill is in place, we will bring forward the subordinate regulations to set out the operational arrangements.”
“We are working closely with DAERA on the development of a coordinated biomethane policy framework that will go out for consultation later in the year. Together, all those actions, alongside others, will then be —.”
“<BR /> <BR />Alongside that, we are determined to see progress on other measures, including those relating to low-carbon heat. We have a plan to redeploy any residual renewable heat incentive (RHI) annually managed expenditure (AME) funding following the closure of the scheme to support a biomethane support scheme. That has now been agreed in principle with the Treasury, subject, obviously, to the detailed development and approval of a business case. <BR /> <BR />I want to see the development of a biomethane sector that works towards delivering decarbonisation but is also environmentally sustainable and, crucially, works for local energy consumers. We have strong indigenous biomethane potential and opportunities to support decarbonisation, energy security and our rural economy.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I am pleased to say that we are making sustained and measurable progress in delivering against the energy strategy. There is a clear focus on removing barriers, enabling investment to come in and accelerating the transition to cleaner, more secure energy. My Department has been driving forward a programme of delivery across electricity, heat and energy efficiency. One example of that is our fairer grid connections policy, which delivers fundamental reform of how electricity connection charging operates. By removing the unfair upfront reinforcement costs, we make it easier and more affordable for homes and businesses to connect to the grid, particularly in rural areas and parts of the network where capacity is more limited. Those new arrangements are due to come into effect on 1 July.”
“I thank the Member for her follow-up question. While there has been no legislation on regional balance from the Department for the Economy, it goes through everything that we do in the Department, as well as, now, all its arm's-length bodies. Invest NI has reflected it in its business plan. Of course, I will be happy to meet the Member to discuss the principles and proposals set out in her Bill, as I said before you got to the point of introducing it, and it is important that we work together to further our shared aims.”
“I thank the Member for her question and congratulate her on the introduction of her Bill. I have not yet got the full read-out on the Bill and all its proposals; officials are working through that. The Member knows my views on the Bill and that I am open to legislation, if it is necessary and the proposals are appropriate and workable. I will absolutely consider all of that. <BR /> <BR />I completely agree about regional balance — the Member knows that. It is one of my priorities under the economic vision and is reflected in the Programme for Government. Every Department has a responsibility to make sure that regional balance happens and that we drive prosperity and opportunity across the North.”
“Taken together, that local decision-making, the built-in flexibility and the remaining funding will give the Belfast LEP lots of opportunities to target actions to the groups that it deems to be most appropriate.”
“In establishing the £45 million regional balance fund, I have empowered councils, working with businesses and community partners in local economic partnerships (LEPs) to identify their own priorities and bring forward locally led projects to increase productivity. Decisions on what to deliver and where to deliver it are taken by the Belfast local economic partnership. I am pleased to report that the Belfast LEP has agreed an action plan for 2026-28. The plan includes flexibility to target support by location through, for example, enhanced business support that can be directed to specific parts of the city. Importantly, the plan is not yet fully allocated, with around £938,000 still to be committed, giving the partnership further scope to bring forward additional targeted interventions as priorities are refined.”
“To support the development of all those things, we have to make sure that we have skilled people coming through. I will continue to work with my colleagues across the island to make that happen.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He will be aware of the Irelandia report on aviation on the island. I have discussed that with colleagues in the South. I have had ongoing engagements with my counterpart James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, on how we can better join up skills programmes and qualification recognition across the island. On Friday past, I had a meeting about the potential for an all-island apprenticeship. We have seen the accounting technician apprenticeship, which was a really good first step. There are significant opportunities to do things jointly for our mutual benefit where there are skill sets that we need to develop across the island. The Member will also be aware of the work on offshore energy, which, again, has significant potential.”
“As the Member will be aware, I previously announced that my Department had assumed responsibility for providing operating funding of up to £3 million per annum for City of Derry Airport until 31 March 2029. That demonstrated my commitment to the long-term future of the airport and to protecting an important element of the north-west's economic infrastructure. The support provides greater certainty for the airport, as it continues to maintain connectivity and support trade, tourism and, of course, inward investment across the north-west. It will also help facilitate the proposed Derry to Dublin public service obligation (PSO) by underpinning the airport's operational sustainability and strengthening its ability to support additional socially and economically important services, including that commuter route from the north-west to Dublin.”
“I thank the Member for that question. I have ongoing engagement with Tourism NI and Derry City and Strabane District Council. I am delighted that we are able to support those events in the north-west, given the significant value that they will add to the local economy. I am particularly excited about the 40th anniversary of Derry Halloween in October. The success of that event, which people from all over the world come to enjoy, shows how well we can do tourism locally and how we can support local events. We will continue to work in partnership with Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland and alongside the council to support anything that is necessary to deliver on forthcoming events this year in order to ensure that they are a success and that we can build on them for the future.”
“My Department will, of course, provide support to DFI as necessary to ensure that the economy in the north-west is underpinned by strong transport links. <BR /> <BR />My Department's aviation policy consultation, which recently closed, set out a number of proposals to support our airports and air connectivity. The responses are being considered. My Department will, of course, continue to work closely with DFI, including on any proposals for airport expansion that are brought forward, given the importance of air connectivity to our local economy.”
“I have ongoing engagement with the Minister for Infrastructure on issues relating to the north-west. <BR /> <BR />I am aware that DFI is considering the strategic vision of the all-island strategic rail review and that its focus is currently on prioritisation and appraisal, with no decisions yet having been taken on the progression of specific projects, including those affecting the north-west.”
“I see absolutely no reason why it cannot be passed at the next Executive meeting or over the summer months so that the Bill can be introduced at the earliest opportunity in September. <BR /> <BR />I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Executive. I have had constructive conversations with all my ministerial colleagues, the vast majority of whom are on record as supporting it. I want to ensure that that work continues so that all Members will see the content of the Bill and that everybody who wants to give a view on it has the ability to do so, which means seeing it as it has been drafted.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I have repeatedly stated my preference for the Bill to be with the Committee for the summer recess to allow the longest possible time for scrutiny. Members have talked about how the Bill needs scrutiny and said that people need to have their say on it. I fully support that, which is why I would have liked there to be the longest possible time for it. <BR /> <BR />As I have also said, there is plenty of time for the Bill to be scrutinised. The Committee Stage of the equivalent Westminster legislation took seven weeks. That gives us guidance on the time frame that we are talking about to allow for scrutiny. The Committee can take the time that it wants. I want the Bill to be in Committee at the earliest opportunity, so I would like to see the proposal passed by the Executive.”
“The Bill as a whole is drafted and sitting ready to go. Where it should be debated and scrutinised is in the Chamber. Every MLA should have the opportunity to take a view on the Bill and allow it to progress to Committee Stage for scrutiny. If Members want to table amendments to the Bill, they are absolutely free to do so. That is the democratic process that should be followed.”
“Your party is blocking the Bill in the Executive. It has not allowed it on the Executive agenda for decision; therefore, it is blocking it.”
“I completely reject the Member's assertions. We have developed a Bill that is balanced in its aims and objectives. It will provide workers with additional rights and the ability to exercise them.”
“Extending access to independent representation is particularly important in the parts of our economy where worker voice is currently limited, as it will help ensure that workers are aware of their rights and able to exercise them in practice.”
“I completely agree that trade unions play a positive role in helping workers understand and exercise their rights. Where trade unions are present, they provide workers with access to information, advice and representation, which can make it easier to raise concerns and to seek improvements in the workplace. Trade unions also perform a recognised role in negotiating pay and conditions on behalf of their members and in providing a structured channel for dialogue between employers and employees. <BR /> <BR />Evidence shows that effective worker voice and representation, including through trade unions, is associated with higher job quality, stronger workplace relationships and, in some contexts, improved organisational performance.”
“I am profoundly disappointed that I have been prevented from bringing the Bill to the Assembly at this time and that MLAs have not yet had the fullest opportunity to consider it in detail. It is my view that workers and their families are being let down by the delay. The Bill has been designed to support good jobs and fair workplaces, while recognising the needs of business, and I intend to continue to seek its introduction in the Assembly as soon as possible. I have listened to businesses, and the Bill has been drafted to be a carefully balanced package. In spite of the delay, I am firmly of the view that there is still time in the mandate to progress the Bill and deliver progressive reforms for our economy. I encourage my Executive and Assembly colleagues to support that aim.”
“I will take no lectures from any Member whose party continues to share platforms with those who speak on behalf of active paramilitaries. As I have said, the application process set out clearly the skill set required, and the people deemed appointable to the board of Invest NI passed that process; otherwise, their names would not have been presented to me for appointment. As I said, that shows that the process was followed robustly, and I believe that the people who have been appointed add value to the board.”