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.”
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“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle.”
“The tariff levels set out in the regulations before us today have been developed following further analysis of fuel prices carried out by the Department during the course of this year and extensive engagement with stakeholders and independent experts. <BR /> <BR />The draft Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025, which I bring before the Assembly today, are an important step to ensure fairness to participants while closure legislation is being progressed. I would welcome the Assembly's support.”
“The current tariffs for small and medium biomass were introduced in 2019 using the best information available at the time. However, substantial movements in fuel prices mean that it is appropriate to increase the tariff. The draft regulations therefore substitute a new schedule 5 into the principal regulations. Its effect will be to increase the tariffs for accredited biomass boilers falling within the small biomass, lower medium biomass and upper medium biomass bandings. The increased tariffs will apply from the day after the regulations are approved by the Assembly. Members will be aware that my Department brought regulations before the Assembly in 2024 to increase the tariff levels for small and medium biomass installations.”
“The Bill was introduced to the Assembly on 6 October and is currently at Committee Stage. With respect to the closure regulations, a public consultation on the proposals for closure concluded on 24 November. A total of 216 responses were received, and I put on record my thanks to those who took the time to provide their views on the closure arrangements. My officials are working at pace to summarise the responses and prepare a consultation report as quickly as possible. I do not intend to go into detail on the proposals for closure today. That is a discussion to be had when the closure regulations are being considered. <BR /> <BR />The draft legislation relates to an increase in tariffs for small and medium biomass installations to be implemented now, in advance of the finalisation of the closure legislation.”
“As Members will be aware, my Department is progressing legislation to close the non-domestic RHI Scheme, in line with the New Decade, New Approach commitment and Executive approvals. The closure legislation includes a Bill to provide the Department with the powers to introduce closure regulations, and the closure regulations themselves.”
“Today, I seek the Assembly's approval of the draft Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“My Department continues to work closely with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to develop projects that will complement the completion of Narrow Water bridge. The projects that the Member has spoken of — Kilbroney Park and Warrenpoint baths — could deliver significant cross-border benefits in terms of growth in our visitor numbers and wider economic benefits. We will be happy to continue to work to support those aims.”
“Tourism NI officials are working closely with Fáilte Ireland to ensure that tourism elements of the allocation, as part of that programme, complement one another on each side of the border, maximising the additional accessibility that the Narrow Water bridge will provide to the area. There are a number of key elements that the destination programme can support on the networks, trails and water access points. We can certainly maximise that to the benefit of the whole region.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I welcome the significant investment in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council through the Shared Island Fund as part of the €23 million tourism shared destination programme. It is important that we continue to optimise that funding opportunity and collaboration across the North for tourism with our other priority sectors. <BR /> <BR />My Department will continue to work closely with Tourism NI and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to ensure strategic planning and guidance for the development of the tourist industry. It builds on the Carlingford lough review and master plan, including the potential for destination stewardship support, as outlined in my tourism vision and action plan.”
“I thank the Member again for her question. In working with Invest NI, we have tried to ensure that supports are available to businesses regardless of their size. Often, when businesses are at an early stage in their development, some of the first people with whom they engage will be through their local councils, so the support via Go Succeed has been really important, as has signposting businesses to the other types of support that is available to them. We continue to work on that to ensure that our SMEs and microbusinesses, which are the absolute backbone of our economy and make up the vast majority of our businesses, are getting access to the types of support that they need and that they know what support is available to them. That is work in progress, and we are committed to making sure that it achieves positive outcomes.”
“I thank the Member for her question. Businesses have faced a really challenging environment over the past number of years and again this year, when we had the threat of tariffs being imposed and the uncertainty that was created by that. Productivity is one of my four priorities in the economic vision. It is a complex issue to address, and we are seeking to do that through skills, support for innovation for businesses and investment in the type of business support that will make a difference to costs, for example, by reducing energy costs. Infrastructure also has a huge role to play, so it is one of those issues that we have to seek to address across the Executive, and I am certainly working with colleagues to try to do that.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I say very often, when I am engaging with stakeholders across the Department's remit, that skills underpin everything that we are trying to achieve and that our further education colleges are absolutely crucial in delivering programmes of support, whether it is through training or with businesses. <BR /> <BR />Since coming into this role, I have sought, as did Conor Murphy before me, to invest in our colleges. I managed to get some additional funding during this financial year, which has gone towards supporting our further and higher education institutions. Going forward, it is certainly something that I will continue to prioritise.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I know that, like me, he will be well aware of the good work that goes on in North West Regional College and of some of the really positive and constructive relationships that it has with local employers. That is replicated across our colleges in different sectors. I certainly think that we can strengthen the knowledge and experience that our colleges have built up over many years through their engagement with businesses. They are close to the ground and are often able to provide that first level of support for local businesses. I am really keen to build on that further.”
“I am pleased that it is now a delivery partner for my Department's ApprenticeshipsNI 2025 and Skills for Life and Work programmes. That will support Irish speakers to gain valuable learning and skills, enabling them to move closer to the labour market and open up support that was not previously available. I was delighted to see that its great work was recognised at last week's Aisling awards, at which it won an Irish language award. It clearly meant so much to it. That is recognition of the really important work on vocational training that it continues to do.”
“GaelChúrsaí delivers vocational training as Gaeilge”
“I thank the Member for her question. I have engaged with Forbairt Feirste on a number of occasions recently on the Irish-medium economy. We are looking at research to address some of the barriers that Irish-medium businesses might face. <BR /> <BR />GaelChúrsaí is an organisation that supports young people who face barriers to employment and training. I visited it earlier this year. It was set up because a lot of young people who leave school after being educated their whole life through only Irish find that they have limited options to develop their skills as Gaeilge”
“I thank the Member for her question. The most recent official statistics show that 69% of jobs here in the North are good jobs that provide secure employment and a decent wage through permanent non-zero-hours contracts and paying at least the real living wage. That represents an increase in the good jobs rate over the year. In addition, the latest earnings statistics show that median-growth weekly wages have increased by 7·4% from 2024 and that the proportion of jobs paying at least the real living wage has increased from 80% to 83%. It is also encouraging that nearly 200 organisations across the North have committed to paying the real living wage, demonstrating their commitment to fair pay. There is therefore a strong foundation that we need to continue to build on to embed good jobs across all sectors of our economy.”
“I thank the Member for that question. Following my decision, the Utility Regulator is working to modify NIE Networks' licence. A new statement of connection charges will be published in the new year. NIE Networks and the Utility Regulator are committed to working together at pace to bring that change through as quickly as possible. The change will take effect in the first half of 2026. <BR /> <BR />You asked about those who have already submitted an application for connection to the grid. NIE will make contact with all existing applicants with reinforcement elements to discuss how the new policy affects them. It will work with those customers on a case-by-case basis to explain the cost and the process, which will enable the customer to make an informed decision on the approach to best suit their individual needs.”
“I have no doubt that, by unlocking that investment and supporting job creation in rural communities, that policy will help to promote a more regionally balanced economy.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I certainly agree. I am sure that no MLA who is from a rural constituency has not had that issue raised with them. It is simply unfair that many people in rural communities face additional reinforcement charges to connect to the grid. As well as being unfair, the high cost of grid connection is also a barrier to business investment in rural areas. When I visited FP McCann last week, I was told that investment in its plant in Magherafelt had been put on hold due to the cost of connection but that, thanks to the new policy, that investment will now go ahead. Fairer connection charges will also support people who live in rural areas to build homes locally and to stay there and invest in their communities.”
“I thank the Member for her question. She is quite right: what was in the Budget was a restatement of what we already knew about the enhanced investment zone. It is designed to accelerate productivity and private-sector growth. Targeted interventions are intended to be made in business support, R&D, skills, local infrastructure and support for green industries. As I indicated, we are working to advance agreement as quickly as possible and to get the necessary approvals over the line. Some of the other programmes that involve the British Government have also had a convoluted process of approvals that have to be gone through. We are working as assiduously as possible to ensure that that is achieved.”
“Subject to the Executive's approval of my paper, we are on track to secure the necessary approvals from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to enable spending on the programme to commence in this financial year.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I do not agree that no action has been taken. Considerable work has been done by my Department and Invest NI and through working in partnership with businesses across the North to advance propositions for inclusion in the enhanced investment zone. On 16 October, I brought a paper to the Executive, where constructive discussion took place. Further engagement is planned to address the comments that were received as part of that discussion. A revised paper for approval of proposed thematic spend has been submitted. I am hopeful that that will be tabled at the next Executive meeting.”
“I am keen to incorporate parts of the North into all Fáilte Ireland's regional brands. However, Fáilte Ireland owns the brands, so it is ultimately for it to decide how parts of the North might be included. You can be assured that I will be vociferous in my lobbying of it.”
“An extension of that into the North could include County Armagh, County Down and County Antrim.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Tourism NI has been working closely with Fáilte Ireland to secure agreement to license the use of the Ireland's Hidden Heartlands brand in the North. We anticipate an announcement in the near future that will enhance opportunities for businesses in the Fermanagh region and strengthen the Ireland's Hidden Heartlands brand. <BR /> <BR />The Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway coastal route are being closely linked through an ongoing Shared Island project that is supporting research, a small capital grant scheme, marketing and shared signposting to bring the two iconic routes together. Tourism NI is playing a key role in that project in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Fáilte Ireland is undertaking a review of Ireland's Ancient East and anticipates a brand refresh in the next year.”
“I thank the Member for his question. When the R&A first came here, it indicated that it would come for three competitions. Since then, that has been confirmed on a number of occasions by spokespersons for the R&A, the most recent of which was when the economic impact was announced just a couple of weeks ago. My Department is working with Tourism NI to ensure that that happens at the earliest opportunity. We can all see the clear impact that it has had from on the economy and on tourism, as well as in showcasing what we can do in hosting global events, which is another thing that I will seek to build on.”
“It boosted local businesses and provided a platform for building relationships with investors, including an event that I hosted in Derry to showcase the north-west as a location for international expansion. <BR /> <BR />We once again demonstrated our ability to host major events, strengthening our reputation across the world, including generating new tourism opportunities, as our wonderful landscape was broadcast globally to over half a billion households. I look forward to the R&A returning for the next competition soon.”
“I very much welcome the news that the 153rd Open generated £280 million in economic benefit for the North. That figure comprises £89 million of economic impact and £191 million of media benefit. Of the £89 million of economic impact over £40 million was in the Causeway Coast and Glens area. <BR /> <BR />The independent research undertaken points to an increase since the 2019 event of £44 million in economic impact from hosting the championship: nearly double the value of the previous time that it was hosted here. That increase has been attributed to a higher number of spectators, higher daily spending and more visitors staying in commercial accommodation. That was helped by the large proportion of spectators who extended their stay to enjoy the wonderful experiences that we have to offer.”
“I thank the Member for her question. That is exactly what we need to work towards. The legislation must be effective for those who require it. My Department will engage further with stakeholders, including support groups, employer representatives and trade unions, as it develops effective guidance for workers and employers. It is important that the guidance provide employers with easily accessible information that will assist them in meeting their responsibilities in a supportive manner. It is also important that it provide workers with the information that they need to help them to exercise their rights. The guidance will also include information on the requirement to treat any information provided by workers with sensitivity and due regard to confidentiality.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I am sure that she shares my frustration that we lost two years of the mandate and the ability to progress vital work like this. It was consulted on as early as possible once the Executive had returned. Obviously, we are progressing a number of important pieces of legislation, and this is one of them. My commitment is that it will be delivered as soon as possible and will be as effective as possible. I gave that commitment to the campaign that was here last week for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. It is important that we get it implemented and operationalised as quickly as possible so that people get that practical support.”
“Developing the guidance will entail engaging with key stakeholders to ensure that it provides proper support to workers and employers so that this important right can be accessed by those who need it. I hope that access to paid safe leave from work will help victims and survivors of domestic abuse to access the vital support that they need.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer questions 5 and 9 together. <BR /> <BR />I am fully committed to introducing the legislation to operationalise safe leave during this mandate. The workplace can provide a safe space, and staying in employment can help victims and survivors of domestic abuse to retain their financial independence. However, they may also need time off work to deal with issues connected to that domestic abuse. People in that situation should of course continue to be paid and should not suffer financially. <BR /> <BR />My Department consulted on proposals to operationalise the safe leave Act last year. I hope to publish the findings of that as soon as possible. As well as introducing regulations, my Department will issue supporting guidance for employers and workers to help them navigate the new right.”
“I thank the Member for her question. Obviously, we have engaged with counterparts in the Department for Business and Trade as we and they progress our legislation. At times, there are unhelpful cross-references to such things, and I intend that my legislation, as I set out, will progress and be introduced to the Assembly.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Some aspects of that may be covered by the legislation. I would need to look at the campaign in detail to understand all of the asks again. Certainly, I am open to looking at that.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I certainly want to see no watering down of rights. I intend that the Bill that I indicated I would draft will be introduced into the Assembly. Once it is in the Assembly, it is in the ownership of the Assembly, and it will be for the Assembly to finally determine what comes out at the other end. However, I know what I intend and what I want to see.”
“I thank the Member for her question. It is certainly my intention that the legislation will be introduced to the Assembly at the earliest opportunity in 2026. As I mentioned to Mr O'Toole, we have to ensure that it passes through the Executive, so I am sure that the Member will engage with her ministerial colleagues to make sure that that happens at the earliest opportunity.”
“Also, many of the family supports that we are bringing in through the legislation, including access to carer's leave, neonatal care leave and other progressive measures, are really important and beneficial to young people. I am really keen that we make good progress and get the legislation through the Assembly at the earliest opportunity.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Many parts of the 'good jobs' Bill will be beneficial to young people. The one that the Member mentioned comes up regularly in the engagement that I have with young people, and, in my opinion, it is an unfairness that many of them face. We are seeking to address that. There are other aspects to the Bill, such as addressing zero-hours contracts and increased flexible working, that will benefit not only young people but people of all working ages. Of course, access to trade union representation will be of benefit to all workers but particularly to young people, many of whom, at times, feel that they cannot raise their voice in work settings. Therefore, that protection from trade unions is important.”
“I thank the Member for his question, and I presume from his tone that he supports the principles of the 'good jobs' Bill. I can confirm that we are working at pace to ensure that the legislation is delivered to the Assembly as early as possible in the new year. The drafting is, as I said, at a very advanced stage. It is comprehensive and considerable legislation with many parts to it, and we have been working closely with the Office of the Legislative Counsel to ensure that the drafting is completed as quickly as possible. We will then bring it to the Executive for approval and introduction to the Assembly.”
“It is important that we get this right, and, to that end, I and my Department are continuing to engage with employers, trade unions and other stakeholders.”
“My Department continues to work on drafting the employment rights Bill. That work is at an advanced stage and will deliver a substantial Bill that will be the most significant reform of employment law since devolution. Obviously, we have lost two years of this mandate, and I and my Executive colleagues are therefore working to a very condensed time frame. Despite that, my Department is working at pace to deliver a very considerable piece of legislation addressing many of the most complex and critical employment issues facing us, delivering a balanced package that will help prevent positive employers being undercut by competitors using unfair practices and ensuring that workers across the North can benefit from the most significant update of employment rights in a generation.”
“I thank the Member for his comments and his question. My officials are engaged with their counterparts in the Irish Department of Transport, which is leading the preparatory work to re-establish the Derry to Dublin air service. That engagement has helped to inform a market-sounding exercise that transport officials will publish in due course. It will seek views on demand and specifications for the service and help to determine the best way to connect and support the north-west region. Further cross-government engagement and collaboration will continue as that work progresses.”
“It is estimated that the London Heathrow route alone delivers a minimum benefit of £15 million per year in GVA for the Derry city region. That highlights the airport's role in supporting productivity and wider regional development. It is an integral part of my wider plans to improve regional balance and ensure that the north-west shares in the economic and social benefits.”
“The City of Derry Airport is a critical gateway for the North, because it provides essential connectivity for the north-west region to London, Manchester, Glasgow and other key cities that support business connectivity and inbound tourism. I welcome the Irish Government's announcement that they will provide funding to support the restoration of the Dublin to Derry route. Promotion of that additional route will be important, and I have asked Tourism Ireland to identify options to best deliver it. <BR /> <BR />On a wider point, to support the airport's long-term sustainability and to help maximise its economic potential, I have committed up to £12 million in investment. My Department is also funding 50% of the £4·6 million cost for the City of Derry to Heathrow route.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I know that he has an interest in the area. He will know that we are pursuing a number of policies under the broad category of energy and are making good progress. I view the energy strategy as the plan. The midterm review provides us with an opportunity to set out a clear road map to 2030, bringing everything together. I look forward to sharing that with the Committee and more widely in the coming weeks.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am well on record as acknowledging the Audit Office report and indicating that we will implement its recommendations. The midterm review of the energy strategy is ongoing — I know that the Member is aware of that — and will be published in the next few weeks. It will set out the progress that we have achieved to date, which, in some respects, is considerable, and delivery milestones up to 2030 to provide the best opportunity for us to achieve what are ambitious but, of course, statutory targets that we have to achieve. I am committed to ensuring that we work towards that and towards an energy system that secures our energy future on the basis of renewables and of supporting people who live and work here, in particular protecting costs for consumers, which, I think, all of us seek to do.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The re-formation of the interdepartmental methane group will enable my officials to work with DAERA and other key stakeholders to develop policy. My Department is already taking actions to support that work and is planning to issue a public consultation on the treatment of connection costs and gas quality standards in early 2026.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It is important that we have the correct regulatory framework in place to support the sector's development and the use of biomethane more generally. As you would expect, we are working on that with colleagues across the energy sector, particularly the Utility Regulator. We are engaging with those who are already doing anaerobic digestion, and there is an opportunity for us, particularly in more rural areas, to better utilise that resource. I look forward to the consultation being published and to making progress in that area.”