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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“I thank the Member for that question. Let me be unequivocal about this: there is absolutely no place for the attacks on 5G masts. I have already stated that clearly in the House. Those who are at that need to desist, and anybody with information should contact the PSNI. <BR /> <BR />I have mentioned the barrier busting task force previously in the House. Given its prominence in the debate on this matter, Departments are working together to specifically address some of the concerns that people have and the myth-busting that may be required. I will be happy to take the Member's point on board and to engage with officials where there are specific issues in rural areas that need to be addressed.”
“I thank the Member for her question. As an MLA for a rural area and someone who lives in a rural area, I recognise the issue. I struggle regularly for good coverage. I also recognise that good connectivity is essential for people, and I am aware that some areas are much better served than others. I am due to meet mobile network operators in July, so I will seek further assurances that they are doing everything in their power to ensure that the planned switch-off of 3G networks will not leave people without adequate mobile communications connectivity. I will also press them on their plans to improve connectivity in all areas, especially our rural communities.”
“I thank the Member. O2 has advised that the majority of its voice and data traffic is carried on its 4G and 5G networks. While O2 is stopping roaming on its 2G network, it has no plans to switch it off and has provided an assurance that it will remain in full use for O2 customers. O2's 3G services will be switched off by the end of this year, and it is working to ensure that its 4G and 5G networks will pick up the relatively small amount of traffic that was previously carried over 3G. <BR /> <BR />Several measures have been taken to improve mobile coverage, including the shared rural network. That project consisted of mobile network operators investing to extend their coverage by upgrading their existing networks, working together on shared infrastructure and building new sites.”
“Our minority ethnic and migrant communities bring many benefits to our economy and our society. From an economic and business perspective, we want to be globally competitive, and that simply cannot be achieved in some sectors without migrant workers. From accessing international knowledge to expanding into new markets and providing niche skills that are not available locally, workers from other countries help us to grow our economy for the benefit of everyone. We also have a very tight labour market, and I know of many businesses that struggle to fill essential roles and plug essential skills gaps. That is regularly raised with me by businesses, and, without access to migrant labour, businesses simply would not be able to operate at the scale that they and our economy need them to.”
“That will be useful, but I revert to the idea that we need to have strong and clear leadership on the type of society that we want: one that is inclusive for all.”
“As I said in my opening answer, we need to see strong and clear leadership to say that what happened is wrong and sends a bad message about not only Ballymena but the North as a whole. We also need to see that civic leadership coming through. <BR /> <BR />The idea of support for businesses is not the most appropriate vehicle at this point in time. We need to see a cohesive and collective approach across Departments to how we address the challenges, and, as an Executive, we have discussed that. I am also aware that the Department for Communities has provided a small amount of funding to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to take forward work with the Ballymena business improvement district to promote Ballymena town centre.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The recent racist violence in North Antrim was disgraceful and unacceptable, and there is no excuse for it. Businesses affected by criminal damage may be eligible to claim under the criminal damage compensation scheme run by the Department of Justice. In order to prevent a repeat of the hatred and intolerance that we saw, we need to see political and civic leadership standing united for inclusion and respect.”
“They will serve creditors, debtors and practitioners efficiently and fairly. Therefore, I am pleased to commend the Bill to the Assembly.”
“<BR /> <BR />We are giving insolvency practitioners greater flexibility. Sometimes, there is a valid reason to take legal action to recover money for the company. However, the risk of losing and facing high legal costs can be a deterrent. Under the new rules, administrators and liquidators will be able to assign the right to pursue those legal actions to third parties, often creditors themselves. In that way, the business can raise funds without taking on the risk, and creditors can still benefit from successful claims. <BR /> <BR />Taken together, the reforms ensure that our insolvency and director disqualification laws remain effective, agile and fit for purpose in today's fast-moving world. The Bill's provisions are practical, timely and widely welcomed within the profession.”
“The Bill will allow creditors' meetings to be held online so that they can participate in the decision-making process from wherever they are. In addition, insolvency practitioners will not need to hire venues for meetings, thereby saving time and money for everyone involved. <BR /> <BR />We are cutting through unnecessary red tape. Currently, all creditors, no matter how small their claim, must submit a proof-of-debt form for their debt to be considered for payment. That can be an obstacle, particularly for those who are owed small amounts. The Bill will introduce a more practical solution: creditors who are owed smaller sums will be eligible for payment automatically without needing to file a claim. That small but significant change will make the process quicker, simpler and more accessible.”
“However, businesses cannot keep operating if essential supplies such as gas, electricity or water are cut off. That is why the Bill gives my Department new powers to ensure that suppliers of essential services must continue to provide them during insolvency proceedings. We are updating the definition of "essential services" for modern times. The Bill will therefore guarantee that IT services are protected so that businesses can keep their digital services running while efforts to restructure or rescue them continue. <BR /> <BR />Another goal of the Bill is to put creditors at the heart of the process and make it easier for them to have their say. At present, all meetings of creditors must be held in person. That often makes it difficult for them to take part, especially if they live in remote areas or outside this jurisdiction.”
“<BR /> <BR />The contents of the Bill represent a further evolution of our insolvency system. It does not make major changes to legislation, nor does it introduce radical new provisions. However, its provisions will have a practical impact on our insolvency laws, modernising them and making them more efficient, removing procedures that have become redundant or outdated, and easing the burden for creditors and petitioners. <BR /> <BR />Given the breadth and diversity of the proposed amendments — there are 29 in all — it would be impractical to provide a succinct and detailed summary of them. However, I will give a brief outline of a few of the most significant measures in the Bill. When a business falls into financial distress, often the best outcome for everyone, especially creditors and employees, is to keep that business running.”
“My Department's insolvency framework is not static. It evolves in response to new challenges, and it balances the competing interests of creditors, debtors, employees and wider society. Our legislation requires regular updating if it is to remain relevant and continue to serve its purpose efficiently. That has been illustrated over the years with the focus of corporate insolvency legislation now aimed at the rescue and restructuring of failing businesses where possible rather than liquidation. Similarly, for individuals in financial distress, bankruptcy law has moved away from the punishment and stigma of previous times. It is now aimed at relief and rehabilitation so that individuals can rid themselves of problem debt and move forward with their lives.”
“It is a silent but vital enabler of confidence in investment, lending and entrepreneurship. For employees, it offers clarity, legal protections and access to compensation; for creditors, it ensures fair treatment; and for the economy, it promotes dynamism and resilience.”
“<BR /> <BR />A well-functioning insolvency system helps to preserve value, reduces uncertainty and allows capital and talent to be reallocated efficiently.”
“That report illustrates the financial challenges that face all businesses here, particularly those associated with recent increases in National Insurance contributions and the rise in the national minimum wage. In addition and as I highlighted recently at the Energy Ireland conference, stubbornly high energy costs cause significant challenges for households and businesses. Those factors, along with the rising costs of other essentials such as raw materials, transport and insurance, are having a negative impact on the bottom line of many local businesses. Therefore, when companies or individuals encounter financial difficulties, how we respond has significant implications not just for those directly involved but for the economy as a whole.”
“Members will be aware that I and my Department are working towards an economic vision aimed at creating good jobs, increasing productivity and promoting regional balance and decarbonisation. While perhaps not as high profile as those areas, our insolvency system remains fundamental to the operation of a healthy, stable and fair economy. <BR /> <BR />Whilst our economic performance is positive and has been improving over recent years, companies can still fail for a variety of reasons. As well as shifting markets and unexpected global crises, local businesses face challenges in trying to operate profitably. During my time as Finance Minister, my Department commissioned the Ulster University's Economic Policy Centre to carry out a study on the cost of doing business for local companies.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“I beg to introduce the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill [NIA 20/22-27], which is a Bill to amend the law relating to insolvency; and for connected purposes.”
“I beg to introduce the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill [NIA 17/22-27], which is a Bill to make provision for the regulation of water use; to provide for the regulation of sustainable drainage systems; to make provision in relation to flood prevention and remediation; to make provision in relation to communication with sewers; and for connected purposes.”
“I set out very clearly in the course of the debate the reasons why this particular LCM was in the format that it was.”
“Therefore, I recommend that the Assembly passes the motion.”
“I thank Members for their contributions and welcome the interest in this important issue. Again, I thank the Economy Committee for its report. <BR /> <BR />As I set out in my opening remarks, it is not yet clear how the Bill will operate in practice, as it is an enabling Bill. However, most applications in relation to products are expected to be inapplicable here due to the Windsor framework, and application in Britain could limit regulatory divergence and maintain smooth east-west trade flows. The metrology areas are non-controversial, with long-standing cooperative working in place for a technical and scientific field. I successfully obtained a consent mechanism that respects devolved competence and ensures that future application of the powers will be subject to effective scrutiny and consent.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. We are at too far advanced a stage to give consent to all the clauses, so we are asking for consent to be given to the particular clause on the devolution amendment. I am content with that, the Executive are content with that and the Committee report is supportive of that. There is not an ability to amend further the other clauses, given the Bill's current form, so we can ask only for consent to be given to that particular clause.”
“I therefore commend the motion to the Assembly and thank Members for their support at this juncture.”
“That means that regulations in relation to metrology could extend to the North. However, the devolution amendment also requires consent to regulations on metrology, meaning that devolved competence is respected. My officials advise me that metrology is an area of long-standing, cooperative and positive engagement, with regulation in the area mainly being scientific and/or technical. <BR /> <BR />The Executive have given their support to seeking consent to the Bill, and the Economy Committee's report is also supportive. I thank the Committee for its engagement and report. It is primarily an enabling Bill, providing powers to make regulations, and it has the potential to allow Britain to align more easily with EU product regulation, which would greatly benefit our businesses trading east-west.”
“Those efforts led to a devolution amendment that requires the consent of NI Departments to be sought to regulations covering devolved matters that the Secretary of State lays at Westminster. However, it is important to note that most areas of product regulation will fall under the Windsor framework and that most future regulations made under the Bill's powers are anticipated to be applicable only in Britain. Indeed, the Bill allows Britain to align with EU product regulation already applicable in the North. I encourage the British Government to utilise the powers available to undo many of the harms of Brexit and align key product regulations with those in the EU. That would benefit businesses here and in Britain. <BR /> <BR />Metrology, weights and measures is generally a devolved matter and does not form part of the Windsor framework.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill confers powers to make product regulations; make product requirements; enforce product regulations; make metrology regulations; enforce metrology regulations; make regulations in respect of data sharing; and make regulations in respect of cost recovery. <BR /> <BR />Most product regulation is not devolved under the 1998 Act. However, areas such as chemicals are, and it should be for me, as Economy Minister, and other relevant Ministers to set those policy directions for devolved matters. The original iteration of the Bill did not respect devolution. I therefore sought amendments that would allow us to consent to the Bill. Our Welsh and Scottish counterparts had similar concerns.”
“It enables improvements to compliance and enforcement, reflecting the challenges of modern digital borders. <BR /> <BR />The Bill seeks to enable the British Government and their regulators to tackle non-compliance and target interventions by allowing greater sharing of data between regulators and market surveillance authorities. It updates the legal metrology framework that governs the accuracy of weights and measures for purchased goods. That seeks to give consumers and businesses confidence in what they buy and to allow for technological progress, including in support of net zero aims and infrastructure: for example, enabling innovation while ensuring that energy smart meters are accurate in their readings.”
“It seeks to respond to new product risks and opportunities to enable us to keep pace with technological advances such as AI and address issues such as incidents of ingesting button batteries and fire risks associated with e-bikes. It identifies new and emerging business models in the supply chain, ensuring that the responsibilities of those involved in the supply of products, such as online marketplaces, are clear and modernised for increasingly complex supply chains to support consumers' confidence in the products that they buy and in those from whom they buy them. <BR /> <BR />The Bill ensures that the law can be updated to allow a means of recognising new or updated EU product requirements, with the intention of preventing additional costs for businesses and providing regulatory stability.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will move on to the Bill. A priority of the Programme for Government is to grow a globally competitive and sustainable economy, which my Department supports with our prioritisation of good jobs, regional balance and raising productivity. Anything with the potential to undo the harms of Brexit, smooth trade flows and reduce regulatory divergence, with the unnecessary additional burdens placed on business, is to be welcomed. <BR /> <BR />The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill was introduced at Westminster on 4 September 2024. The Bill aims to support economic growth, provide regulatory stability and deliver more protection for consumers.”
“Unfortunately, those requirements were not fully respected, and Parliament moved to Report Stage on 4 June before I was able to bring the motion before the Assembly. As a result, most of the Bill is no longer amendable and cannot be subject to a consent request. <BR /> <BR />The only substantive devolved matter that is now within the scope of a consent vote is the devolution amendment. That is a completely unacceptable situation, and I have written to Minister Madders to seek assurance that it will not be repeated. However, as the request for consent to the Bill was able to obtain my support and the approval of the Executive and as the Committee's report was supportive, I propose a motion that asks for your consent, where possible, and further asks that you note and support the areas that cannot be subject to a full consent vote.”
“My predecessor raised that matter directly with Minister Leong and was assured that there would be engagement at official level to find a mutually beneficial solution. Due to difficulties with the Bill's passage in the House of Lords, the offer to amend the Bill to resolve my concerns was not made until Committee Stage in the House of Commons. The offer to amend the Bill resolved my concerns, and the Bill now contains the devolution amendment. <BR /> <BR />I met Minister Madders and set it out in writing that the Bill's passage in Parliament must allow time for the Assembly to carry out its scrutiny role, to debate and to meaningfully vote on the consent request. My officials also set out the requirements and time frames of our consent process in detail to the Bill team.”
“I regret that I am unable to move the motion in the way that I would have wished for the debate. I will provide an update on why that is the case and why I am unable to seek the Assembly's consent to all the clauses in the Bill that engage devolved matters. <BR /> <BR />The handling of the Bill by the British Government has been unacceptable from the outset. There was no substantive engagement with my officials prior to its introduction, and it was then immediately clear that I could not support consent for the Bill as drafted. <BR /> <BR />The Bill provides powers to the Secretary of State to make regulations in a wide range of areas, with a small number of those falling under devolved competence. The Bill made no provision for the Secretary of State to require consent from the devolved Governments.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“I thank the Member for his question and for bringing that to my attention. I am not aware of that, but, if he wants to write to me about it, I will certainly ask officials to look into it.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As I have set out, we will try, through the transition support service, to improve that read-across in the immediacy. Certainly, I am more than happy to work cross-departmentally to achieve that and also to engage with the Member and his constituents on it. Where good practice already happens, we want to build on it and roll it out across the board. If there are examples, I would be keen to hear about them and see them.”
“I cannot do that across other Departments, but I am committed to working with other Ministers to achieve that.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Over the course of the work that was undertaken, there was a clear recognition of the challenges that we face. They are not just structural challenges across Departments but financial and resource problems. We need to see significant investment across the board in our further education services and our health services, so that young people can access the type of support that they deserve across the board, regardless of where they live in this region. That is the first thing that we want to make sure happens. Obviously, parents, carers and families will want to have the protection of legal recourse if that is not the case. As I outlined today, I am committed to taking that forward within the remit of my Department.”
“I thank the Member for the question and for his recognition of the work that has been undertaken. We have published a range of relevant materials on the Department's website today, including a summary of the report's findings, the comparative analysis of the legislative framework that Stranmillis University College prepared for us and additional information on participation. I anticipate that all of that will be available after today's statement.”
“There are things that the Department is already beginning to implement and a number of measures that do not require additional finance: for example, the apprenticeship inclusion challenge fund, which is already being undertaken. There is work within our careers portal in which we are working across the Department for the Economy and the Department of Education and other work that is, for example, about improving accessibility in colleges. There are a lot of things that we can do quickly and things that will take longer.”
“I thank the Member for her question. There are some things that we can do on a very speedy basis in relation to smoothing things across Departments, as I mentioned in my statement, for young people who are partly on a Health-based pathway and partly on an Economy one. We can certainly tighten up work across the board there and, again, in relation to the type of investment that we want to see in our further education colleges to better support our young people. There are examples of good practice already, and we want to make sure that that is across the board. I also mentioned in my statement that there are regional disparities in the level of provision that we have across the board, so that is something that I am keen to address. <BR /> <BR />As I mentioned, there are things that we can make quick progress on.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I do not see anybody passing the buck. What we did with this piece of work was to take on an issue that was obviously very complex. I have had the opportunity to engage with campaigners — Alma, Dee and others — on the issue. I can say very clearly that I heard their ask and their voices, and I recognise the needs of their young people. I am keen to see that cross-departmental working to try to make progress on the issue. I think that there is a commitment across the Executive to do that; certainly, I will bring forward proposals, and I hope that they will get a very warm hearing.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It is clear that there is a real need to see better cross-departmental collaboration on this issue, in particular, and on others. The priority in the Programme for Government of special educational needs puts a particular focus on it from a cross-Executive perspective. Therefore, we need to see Departments and Ministers stepping up and working together on the issues. I have absolutely no doubt about the intentions of other Ministers on the issue. I am very hopeful that we will see that level of collaboration on special educational needs and on the reforms that the Education Minister has already proposed in that regard. There is a recognition of the need to see that collaboration across Departments as well. It is something that I am very hopeful that we will see in the very near future.”
“I thank the Member for that question. It was one of the issues that was clearly highlighted in the work. There is a particular challenge there, because those young people are left with no support or provision. I really want to work on that with the Department of Health and the Department of Education to see how we can address that gap and do so at pace.”
“There is also the recently launched Skills Connect programme, which will enable people with disabilities to attain skills in areas where there are clear regional shortages. My Department has also had some early engagement with the office of an Taoiseach on progressing skills projects through the Shared Island Fund. I certainly think that there is scope for something in that space, and my officials will explore it further.”
“I thank the Member for his question. One of the Department's key objectives is to improve all-island skills mobility, and we are working with the Irish Government to bring forward skills projects under the PEACE PLUS programme. My Department maintains oversight of that programme in the North. There are initiatives to help reduce skills gaps across the island, especially in under-represented groups. There are already some really good examples of where that is happening, such as the Mencap helping equality, respecting others and enabling success, or HEROES, youth project, which is an inclusive cross-community and cross-border project that supports young people with and without learning difficulties with personal development, citizenship and good relations.”
“We are still working through the detail of what that will look like and at how we can potentially move from one to the other to get a model that fits and works and so that we do not have duplication in the system. How exactly that will look is still work in progress.”
“I thank the Member for her question. She is right to reflect the fact that this is a really challenging area. I have worked within my remit to bring forward proposals that I can progress on my own as a Minister, but I really want to work with colleagues across the Executive. I know that there is enough goodwill around the Executive table to make progress on this. Special educational needs is one of the priorities in the Programme for Government, so, on that basis, I hope that we will be able to make good and speedy progress. <BR /> <BR />You asked about the assessment and support model. It is intended that the statement model from Education will be built upon.”