Pádraig Delargy
Foyle · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I echo what other Members have said. Compassion is at the heart of the regulations, which are about understanding and ensuring that parents and families who have suffered the most heartbreaking and unimaginable grief are supported through one of the most difficult times in their lives.”
“The regulations have been extended to ensure that they also apply to parents who have lost a child through miscarriage and that parental bereavement leave is now a day-1 employment right.”
“Why are the public appointments and equality processes important in employment? They are particularly important here in the North, for one simple reason. It is because for so many years, even decades, the unionist Government stopped Catholics, nationalists and republicans from having any access to public appointments and jobs.”
“I start by going to the very heart of the motion and many of the comments that have been made around the Chamber today. The process for public appointments to Invest NI was fair, open, accountable and transparent. It was based on merit and ability.”
“It is a generation that is deeply proud of all those who ensured that we can enjoy the freedom that the unionist Government denied them. My generation will not lie down, will not acquiesce and will not allow regressive change. It will not return to the inequality, the suppression and all the other elements of the unionist state.”
“This is the same SDLP that voted to disbar any republican prisoners from the position of special adviser — the same SDLP that, when another nationalist or, God forbid, a republican, takes the office of First Minister, suddenly wants that title taken away.”
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“The regulations have been extended to ensure that they also apply to parents who have lost a child through miscarriage and that parental bereavement leave is now a day-1 employment right. The North is the first region in these islands to legislate for parental bereavement leave and pay in the case of miscarriage, which makes us not just a leader locally but one of the leaders across Europe. The way in which we are supporting families when they most need it is something that we can be proud of. I commend the regulations to the House.”
“I echo what other Members have said. Compassion is at the heart of the regulations, which are about understanding and ensuring that parents and families who have suffered the most heartbreaking and unimaginable grief are supported through one of the most difficult times in their lives. As a member of the Committee for the Economy, I thank the Minister for bringing the regulations forward and the Committee colleagues and departmental staff who have supported the Committee through the process and for supporting parents and families through an extremely difficult time. <BR /> <BR />The parental bereavement leave and pay regulations offer some assurance at a time of uncertainty, tragedy and unspeakable pain for parents and wider family circles.”
“This is the same SDLP that voted to disbar any republican prisoners from the position of special adviser — the same SDLP that, when another nationalist or, God forbid, a republican, takes the office of First Minister, suddenly wants that title taken away. Many of the other parties in the Chamber have refused and will refuse to countenance a republican holding the office of Justice Minister. That is simply not acceptable. <BR /> <BR />My generation expects better and deserves better. Republicans are not and have never been second-class citizens, and we will not accept any lessons on second-class citizenship from other Members of the House.”
“It is a generation that is deeply proud of all those who ensured that we can enjoy the freedom that the unionist Government denied them. My generation will not lie down, will not acquiesce and will not allow regressive change. It will not return to the inequality, the suppression and all the other elements of the unionist state. They could not criminalise republicans in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, and you will not criminalise republicans now. <BR /> <BR />What the SDLP motion, and particularly much of the commentary from across the House, has got to the heart of is that many people have jumped on the back of faux loyalist outrage. We have heard comments about political insiders and all these issues but without any basis, as usual.”
“Why are the public appointments and equality processes important in employment? They are particularly important here in the North, for one simple reason. It is because for so many years, even decades, the unionist Government stopped Catholics, nationalists and republicans from having any access to public appointments and jobs. In my family, all four of my grandparents were teachers, and all four were told that they had to swear an oath of allegiance to a British monarch in order to do the job that they were qualified to do. In my parents' generation, simply, many people did not get jobs because of either where they were from or their identity. <BR /> <BR />I am the voice of a new generation that is deeply proud of those who have gone before us.”
“I start by going to the very heart of the motion and many of the comments that have been made around the Chamber today. The process for public appointments to Invest NI was fair, open, accountable and transparent. It was based on merit and ability. Many people do not like that, and many still will not tolerate a Catholic, nationalist or republican about the place. What we heard when Peter Lynch and Máirtín Ó Muilleoir were appointed, as we have heard time and time again, is people who simply want to attack republicans but have no reason why either should not have been appointed to the board of Invest NI. Both are better educated, more experienced and eminently more qualified than anyone I can see on the opposite Benches in the Chamber.”
“I thank the First Minister for her answer. Unfortunately, I do not have a ticket to that event. The First Minister has attended many events in Ebrington with me. It is great to see the progress over the past number of years in Ebrington. As you mentioned in your answer, £40 million leveraging a further £40 million and 360 jobs is a really good news story. How do you see the future of Ebrington, and how does that align with developing a competitive and connected north-west region?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Can he specify what concerns he has about the appointments to Invest NI, given that the process was open and transparent and based on merit? Is it simply that he does not accept that any republican can hold a position in public office?”
“I thank the Minister for her leadership on this issue, especially given that leadership has been lacking from so many others in our society. <BR /> <BR />Minister, you mentioned research that has been undertaken into the night-time economy. Will you elaborate on that and on what that means when it comes to supporting our businesses?”
“Stop playing games with the lives of workers and support the introduction of the 'good jobs' Bill in the Assembly. Support proper scrutiny. Support democracy.”
“Providing a pathway to change that reality for those whose dedication, care, love and compassion is punished by a lack of job security, fair pay, carers' leave entitlements and fair conditions is a critical component of that. <BR /> <BR />By blocking the 'good jobs' Bill, the DUP has shown its hand and proven what many of us already know: it is anti-worker, anti-equality and anti-rights. It is for the DUP to look workers in the eye and explain its reasoning, but no amount of spin will change the facts. The reality is that the DUP is blocking the 'good jobs' Bill. <BR /> <BR />What does blocking the 'good jobs' Bill mean? It means no entitlement to leave for carers, no entitlement to paid neonatal leave for families and no guaranteed tips for workers. My appeal is simple: stop playing politics.”
“The 'good jobs' Bill is about building a society that values people, families and workers. The Bill would establish new rights for parents whose babies require neonatal care and new protections for carers, who provide support to loved ones every day. Each of us, whether through our families, friends, communities or our role as elected representatives, is familiar with the heartbreaking stories of people across the North who have had to give up work because of caring responsibilities, whether those are for their child, spouse, elderly parent or another relative who is unwell. <BR /> <BR />Our role as legislators is to identify and support those who are most marginalised by current legislation.”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I had intended to raise this earlier. During Question Time with the Health Minister, I raised a significant issue around Altnagelvin Hospital. I could not hear what was being said. Other Members could not hear. The Health Minister could not hear. It is deeply disrespectful to people in Derry that the SDLP health spokesperson continued to have a loud conversation during that time and continues to have loud conversations during many debates. I find it deeply disrespectful to the people of Derry, and an apology should be issued.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer and for the interim steps that he has taken to resolve the issue in Altnagelvin. Altnagelvin's emergency department is built for 40,000 people, but it currently sees 80,000 people a year. What can we do collectively in the Assembly to push things forward and ensure that there is an adequately sized and adequately resourced emergency department in Derry?”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. The Minister has made it very clear, particularly in the past few minutes, that his objective is to smash unions and remove the right for teachers and education staff to have access to campaign for better conditions and fair pay. When I was teaching, that was the reason that we engaged in industrial action. It was because Ministers in the Department of Education consistently failed to stand up for teachers. The biggest issue in the teaching workforce today is retention, and the reason is that teachers feel undervalued. They feel intimidated by the Bill. That is what they have told us time and time again. You should listen to the unions, not to your Department.”
“The House has the opportunity to deliver historic legislation that will not only align us with elsewhere but make us a world leader in workers' rights legislation. Let us get it done. Let us bring the Bill to the House and deliver for ordinary workers and families.”
“Workers and families need the 'good jobs' Bill now more than ever. For ordinary people, the reality is that they are struggling to put food on the table, struggling to heat their homes and struggling with a cost-of-living crisis, and that legislation offers workers some semblance of certainty. Today, the DUP needs to give us and workers the answer to this question: is it blocking the Bill because, as a party, it is anti-worker and anti-trade union, or is it blocking the Bill because it is being taken forward by a Sinn Féin Minister?”
“When many in the DUP sat smirking and sneering, they were sneering at the workers of the North: the teachers, hospital workers, carers, cleaners and bar and restaurant workers for whom they have continuously and consistently failed to stand up. <BR /> <BR />Today, the DUP has proved beyond any reasonable doubt its contempt for workers through its opposition to union organisation and equality and by introducing a Bill to sanction teachers who dare to engage in industrial action. As a former teacher, I will make it abundantly clear that the DUP will not break our teachers or undermine our right to organise and demand better conditions and fairer pay to deliver an education system that treats its staff with respect. <BR /> <BR />The DUP's reality and the reality for ordinary people are very different.”
“The 'good jobs' Bill is about delivering for all. It is about secure contracts and working hours; ending fire and rehire; introducing day-1 employment rights; fairer pay; a better work-life balance; and enhanced trade union representation. The Minister 's vision is to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are felt by everyone. Research in Ireland and internationally clearly shows the benefits for workers and businesses alike, yet, in characteristically regressive fashion, the DUP seeks to stymie and stifle debate. It seeks to block the opportunity for the House to debate and for the Economy Committee to hear evidence from relevant stakeholders.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. It is reassuring to hear that trade continues to exist in traditional bases in Irish America and beyond and that it continues to grow in spaces where it has not done so before. Will the Minister provide an update on some of the successes of the recent trade missions?”
“That includes final payments where they are due and compliance checks where those are needed. <BR /> <BR />The Bill is about closure and protecting the public interest. It draws a clear line under a scheme that should never have been allowed to run as it did. I support the Final Stage of the Bill.”
“It shows what it looks like when the Department is run by a Minister with clear priorities, openness, accountability and an approach to the economy that works for everyone. <BR /> <BR />The Department has reviewed what remained, fixed long-standing issues and strengthened oversight. The Bill represents the final step and gives certainty and closure, while keeping the balance right between scheme participants and the taxpayer. Crucially, closing RHI does not mean walking away from renewable heat or from future support schemes. Rather, it means learning from what went wrong so that any future programme is properly designed, costed and policed. The purpose here is straightforward; it is to protect public money and make sure that the Department can finish the remaining administrative work in a fair and transparent way.”
“The Treasury has had to write repeatedly to tell them that AME funding can only be used for a comparable scheme. With a Sinn Féin Minister now in post, we are finally beginning to bring this to an end on the basis of transparency, oversight and value for money. <BR /> <BR />For a long time, RHI became shorthand for what happens when government gets the basics wrong. It cost money, damaged trust and left people asking who was in charge. I welcome the Minister's work on this and the concern to get the Bill to its Final Stage. The Minister has shown the focus and drive that is needed to resolve a scheme that, in practice, advantaged a small number while the wider public carried, and have continued to carry, the cost. The Bill is part of putting that right.”
“The investigation afterwards spelled it out: controls were weak, decisions were taken that should never have been signed off and basic governance was missing. The cost to the public purse and to trust in politics was avoidable, so closing the scheme properly matters. When the DUP held the Economy portfolio, those issues were not gripped early enough and the waste continued. People looking in from the outside saw delay and excuses. The DUP thought that because the funding was AME, it could do whatever it wanted — it could fill its boots. Worryingly, the economically illiterate DUP still does not understand how AME works. Recently, both its party leader and the Chair of the Economy Committee mistakenly claimed that the £81 million for an electricity discount scheme could be repurposed.”
“Taken together, it is estimated that, by 2036, that will amount to an overspend of more than £400 million — money that will fall to the Executive and, ultimately, to the taxpayer.”
“During their tenure, warnings were dismissed, and opportunities to intervene were ignored, with the result that the scheme was allowed to spiral out of control and a financial scandal was allowed to take place. A whistle-blower pointed out that, in one case, over the 20-year lifetime of the scheme, a farmer could have made £1 million simply by heating an empty shed. The Audit Office, which was scathing about the scheme, highlighted that a business in Britain might receive £192,000 in subsidy, whereas the same business here would earn £860,000.”
“People will remember that, when budgets and front-line services were under pressure — they remain so — we saw the ineptitude of the party opposite in addressing a clearly shambolic scheme that has continued to impact on people here. Spectacularly, the scheme allowed participants to earn as they burned. For every £1 that a participant spent, they received a £1·60 return. Basic mathematics would have told you that, from its inception, that formula would not work. The flawed scheme allowed participants to burn excessive amounts of fuel in order to get a higher financial return, which, in itself, is very much at odds with the principles of climate action and the need to improve energy efficiency. <BR /> <BR />Those failures occurred on the watch of the DUP Ministers who held responsibility for the Department for the Economy.”
“I support the Bill, which will finally see the closure of the renewable heat incentive scheme. The scheme began when I was still at school. I say that to highlight the longevity of the issue and the long shadow that it has cast over politics here. I say it also to highlight the fact that successive DUP Ministers failed to address its legacy and the fact that, once again, a Sinn Féin Minister has had to step in to clear up the mess and deal with the incompetence and economic illiteracy of the DUP in the Department for the Economy. <BR /> <BR />People across the North will rightly remember the anger that RHI caused.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I have already read out the response that was received in writing in January, which sets out clearly the fact that any delay in that respect has come from Westminster. Do you acknowledge that, and will you amend your comments so that they reflect reality, rather than a DUP policy position?”
“Sinn Féin will continue to press for an aviation sector that develops responsibly and delivers opportunities across the North and across Ireland.”
“That might not suit the DUP's party political agenda, but it is the reality. <BR /> <BR />Air connectivity brings tourism with it, and it brings jobs in hospitality and the wider visitor economy. It backs local businesses and events and brings real spend into communities across the North. In 2024, the tourism industry generated £1·8 billion, supporting over 70,000 jobs across our region. We know that long-haul flights have augmented that, with international visitor numbers increasing by 12% since 2023. In 2024, the accommodation sector saw hotel occupancy climb to 74%. The Belfast City Airport master plan can create a positive contribution to our regional economy while ensuring that communities are heard and respected throughout the process.”
“In response to a question for written answer that was submitted on 16 January 2026, the Department clearly stated:”
“Belfast City Airport also plays a significant role in keeping businesses and people connected. As plans develop, we should be clear about how all three airports interact and make sure that decisions support the wider economy and regional balance. At the same time, any development of this scale must bring local communities with it. People who live near the airport must be heard and taken seriously, and consultation must be meaningful, transparent and continue throughout the process. There is, therefore, a responsibility to engage directly with local people throughout the process and to show clearly how community concerns are being reflected in any plans. <BR /> <BR />The motion ignores the fact that the delays to the publication of the consultation emanated from Westminster and the British Government.”
“That commitment has also been clear in the Minister's engagement on the future of the City of Derry Airport and in the recognition that regional airports are pivotal to balanced growth. The connecting flights between London have opened up opportunities for passengers to avail themselves of 450 connecting flights that go all over the world. The recommencement of the Derry to Dublin service is a hugely positive development for the north-west and, indeed, for people across Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Support to protect and develop services at City of Derry Airport was led by Sinn Féin Ministers, who intervened to support the airport in a way that has lifted an unfair and unnecessary burden from ordinary ratepayers in Derry to allow for strategic prioritisation.”
“I welcome the ongoing work on the Belfast City Airport master plan and the wider discussion about the future of aviation. <BR /> <BR />Air travel links are vital, particularly for an island economy. Reliable connections — North and South; east and west — matter. The master plan is an opportunity to strengthen those connections and support employment. It also underlines the need for better access to the airport, including improved public transport and coordinated infrastructure planning. I acknowledge the work of Minister Archibald in that area, particularly through the ongoing consultation on the aviation strategy. We need a long-term approach that recognises the strategic importance of our airports and the role that they play in regional development.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“Thank you, Minister. You partially answered my supplementary question about how to better understand the tender opportunities. How exactly does your Department promote them to SMEs?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Obviously, there are huge benefits from the investment fund. Minister, can you outline any of the specific benefits for Derry?”
“For those reasons, I am happy to support the Bill. I look forward to seeing it progress through the House.”
“Good policy needs independent expertise, proper evidence and a clear view of what decisions mean for households, businesses and communities. Therefore the Minister has taken a pragmatic approach to ensure strong and independent expert advice in decision-making. <BR /> <BR />We do not need to look far for a lesson in what happens when oversight is weak. The disastrous RHI scheme, which was presided over by the DUP, damaged the public finances and public trust. Sinn Féin is ensuring that that will never happen again by ensuring robust scrutiny and augmenting the advisory role of the Utility Regulator. <BR /> <BR />This is a sensible step in the right direction. If we get this transition right, we can cut emissions, build a more resilient energy system and support skilled, good-quality jobs along the way.”
“The Utility Regulator has an established role in protecting consumers and securing value for money in the electricity and gas markets, but the system that it regulates is changing and diversifying. <BR /> <BR />Decarbonisation is a legislative requirement, and these new powers will help the regulator support that transition while maintaining its core duties. Formalising the role of the regulator is pivotal to ensuring that the Minister's economic vision is delivered and is another step in the path towards net zero. In practical terms, the Bill helps the regulator to get ready for that shift. It strengthens the regulator's ability to support the infrastructure and investment that we need for a lower-carbon system and its capacity to support the Department on energy policy.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Utility Regulator Bill today. I acknowledge the work of the Minister and the officials in the Department for the Economy on bringing the Bill forward. I also acknowledge the role that the Utility Regulator and its team have played through their continuous work and engagement with the Committee on this important piece of legislation. <BR /> <BR />The Bill is one of eight pieces of legislation that are due to be brought forward by the Minister in a shortened mandate, and it highlights delivery in the Department for the Economy. It is an important Bill, and, as Sinéad mentioned, the timing is right. We are already living through a major change in how we generate, move and use energy.”
“I thank the Member for giving way again. I note the point that he made about RHI. He will note the fact that the Minister has taken decisive action to fix the mess that the DUP made of RHI. The Minister has taken decisive action on that.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I hear what he says. He talks about closing down opportunities, but the evidence points clearly to the fact that any economic opportunity is not feasible and not viable, so will he revise his remarks on that basis?”
“The fear was that industrialising rural landscapes could deter tourism, and that matters in regions where tourism is a key economic driver and jobs depend on protecting environmental quality. <BR /> <BR />Of course, the transition must be managed properly. A just transition means investing in skills, real support for workers and targeted regional development. The Minister has been clear that the benefits of that change must be felt across all communities and that no area is left behind. I support the Bill at Second Stage, and I look forward to its continued progress through the House.”
“<BR /> <BR />We should be clear about the economic risks that can come from continued petroleum exploration, particularly in sectors such as tourism. In some places, environmentally damaging extraction can put at risk the natural assets on which the local community and economy depend. For example, the European Commission has highlighted the environmental risks associated with hydraulic fracturing or fracking, including potential impacts on water quality and on landscapes. Tourism bodies, including Fáilte Ireland, have also been clear that Ireland's tourism offer rests heavily on its reputation for unspoilt natural environments. In the past, when fracking was proposed in places such as County Fermanagh, concerns were raised about how it could change perceptions of the area among visitors.”
“That certainty matters because it reinforces the Minister's work on this, and it is already attracting investment in renewable, green manufacturing and innovation. <BR /> <BR />Energy security is, of course, pivotal to any such discussion. As we emerge in 2026, energy security cannot be viewed only through the lens of fossil fuel extraction. Real security comes from diversification, resilience and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and volatile energy markets. The Minister's work in supporting an all-Ireland energy framework is also critical, in that it helps us to maximise the renewable opportunities, reduce costs for consumers and build a more resilient system. That is good environmental policy as well as good and smart economic policy.”
“It recognises that continued petroleum exploration no longer matches the direction of travel in global markets, where capital is increasingly flowing towards renewables, clean technologies and energy efficiency. Clinging to outdated models risks leaving our economy exposed, not protected. We need to be honest here about the future of growth and where that will come from. The global shift to decarbonisation is not a distant prospect and already shapes investment decisions, supply chains and job creation. By removing the legislative basis for petroleum exploration, the Bill gives investors clarity and certainty. It sends a clear message that this region intends to be a part of and leader in the emerging low-carbon economy.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Second Stage of the Bill. At the outset, I acknowledge the work of the Economy Minister, Caoimhe Archibald, in introducing the legislation. The Minister has taken a clear and strategic approach to one of the biggest economic questions that we face: how do we build a modern, resilient economy while managing the transition from fossil fuels? That approach has been supported by evidence from the public and evidence taken from stakeholders, as well as other key policy on it. <BR /> <BR />The Bill meets the Minister's economic vision. It is an environmental measure as well as an economic intervention.”
“When purchasing grass for cattle feed, they are now competing with AD plants. It is crucial that such issues are considered so that we can scale up AD while supporting the small farmers who may be impacted on by it. <BR /> <BR />The debate should not be about presenting biomethane as a silver bullet, as has been mentioned, nor about dismissing it outright. It should be about taking a balanced, evidence-based approach. If we are serious about building long-term energy resilience, supporting our rural communities and meeting environmental responsibilities, that balance is essential.”