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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“There are also valid concerns, which have been mentioned, about land use, feedstock sustainability, biodiversity and local environmental impacts, as well as the additional transport and logistics that are required in rural areas. Those are real issues. They must be addressed through regulation, monitoring and community engagement. <BR /> <BR />If biomethane is to play a role in our energy future, it must be done in a way that protects food production, safeguards the environment and maintains public trust. That means resisting unrealistic targets, ensuring transparency and placing communities at the centre of decision-making. As with all climate change measures, the scaling up of biomethane must be based on just transition principles. In real terms, that means recognising that, for some farmers, the impact of AD can create pressures.”
“<BR /> <BR />Looking beyond the North, biomethane is being developed in the South as part of a national energy policy that is supported by targets and investment frameworks. That presents an opportunity for greater cooperation on an all-Ireland basis, particularly around infrastructure and market development. A more coordinated approach could strengthen rural economies and energy resilience. However, it must be approached with realism. Crucially, we must be honest about the concerns that exist. Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas. Any leakage during production, storage or transport can undermine climate benefits.”
“Dr Caoimhe Archibald has continued to engage with industry and regulators, and major energy transition success will depend not only on ambition but on careful implementation and cross-party cooperation. There are already examples that illustrate both the potential and the complexity of biomethane. In parts of Tyrone and Armagh, anaerobic digestion plants are providing additional income streams for farmers while helping to manage farm waste. Companies such as Encirc in Derrylin are examining biomethane as a lower-carbon alternative in industrial processes, highlighting the possible links between agriculture, manufacturing and energy security. Those developments show what may be possible. However, they also underline the need for proper planning, regulation and oversight.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion and on the role that this plays in supporting energy, food and environmental security across the North. There is no doubt that we will continue to face significant challenges. High energy costs are still placing real pressures on households, businesses and farms, and our agri-food sector is dealing with rising inputs and uncertainty. In that context, it is right that we explore local and sustainable options that help to reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels. Biomethane presents one such opportunity by using agricultural by-products, slurry and food waste to produce renewable gas that can contribute to heating industry and emission reduction. <BR /> <BR />It is important to acknowledge the policy work that has already been undertaken in the area.”
“I thank the Minister for his engagement with us and the public in Foyle on the issue. My issue is about water quality. The Minister has already given some assurance that there will be engagement from NI Water and other bodies on the matter. Will the Minister clarify specifically what metrics will be used and how they will be evaluated on an ongoing basis to ensure that the water in Derry and the wider area remains at a high quality and that any variance is monitored and picked up on as quickly as possible?”
“The North cannot be a mudguard for cuts made by the British Government. We need a consistent and collaborative approach from all parties and sectors, demanding better — demanding stability and proper funding from the Treasury.”
“Aligning tuition fees with those in England is not the answer, because further and higher education institutions in England also face job losses, redundancies and cuts to their funding; they also face a number of the challenges that we see here today, with 13,000 roles lost in the past year alone. That has been the case for many years. <BR /> <BR />We need to look at the review of higher education funding to try to alleviate some of the pressures that universities face. Under the leadership of Caoimhe Archibald, the Department for the Economy has invested significantly in Ulster University over the past number of years and in the past two years in particular. The difficult financial situation that that university and all other third-level education institutions are experiencing has been experienced for many years prior to this.”
“I declare an interest as a former student of Ulster and because a close family member was employed by Ulster. <BR /> <BR />My thoughts, like those of other Members, are, first and foremost, with the staff of Ulster University at this incredibly difficult, challenging and upsetting time for them. I extend our solidarity to them, their union colleagues and their families. <BR /> <BR />The Executive have consistently made the case to the Treasury in London for proper, secure funding. Its failure to provide that has resulted in financial uncertainty across our education and community sectors as well as our wider society.”
“That is not a society or a way of life that we can accept, and we have the opportunity today to send a unified message from the House to the British Government that our communities require urgent and proper support. Reducing the fuel levy would provide some immediate relief to households and businesses that are dealing with high and rising costs every day. That is a practical step that could make a real difference in the short term. <BR /> <BR />We need to address both the long-term and the immediate energy-supply issues, building for the future, including making the most of all-Ireland renewable opportunities while supporting people through the pressures that they face today. That is the balance that needs to be struck.”
“People need support now amid rising oil and gas prices. That is why the Minister for Communities must move quickly to ensure that financial help reaches those who most need it. When we talk about fuel prices and about energy, it is not a theoretical concept; it is the lived reality for the worst off in our society, and it has plunged many people more deeply into poverty, putting many working families at risk of experiencing poverty and of choosing between food and heat. <BR /> <BR />When I talk to my friends and to people of my age, I hear that many people are unable to buy homes and many are unable to rent homes. Now, an increasing number are unable to heat their homes and have spent their entire adult and working lives knowing nothing but living from pay cheque to pay cheque.”
“No, thank you. <BR /> <BR />We have significant natural resources all around the coast of Ireland, and, if they are properly developed in a coordinated way, they can play a major role in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and strengthening our long-term energy security. That kind of cooperation also creates the conditions for investment that supports infrastructure and helps to ensure that we make the most of what is available to us. What an opportunity that is to be a world leader in renewables and utilising what, let us face it, can be a climate that we do not usually get to boast about. <BR /> <BR />While we look to the future, many people are struggling in the present. Fuel poverty is a real issue in households across the North, and the pressure of rising costs is being felt across our society.”
“All parties in the Executive signed up to the climate action plan, and it is imperative that all parties work together to ensure that its targets are met through coordination and determination. It is about building a system that is more secure, more stable and less exposed to external shocks. <BR /> <BR />There is also a clear opportunity for us to build cooperation across Ireland. The single electricity market has shown the benefits of working together, but there is a need to go further. We can do more on an all-Ireland basis to recognise the scale of opportunity in front of us, particularly when it comes to renewable energy such as offshore wind. The Minister has been a key proponent of that and is driving the conversation.”
“What we are seeing globally, particularly in the Middle East, is a reminder of just how susceptible we are to shifting energy prices. The past few weeks have shown once again how quickly global instability feeds into energy costs rising here. The war was celebrated by some in the House who continue to champion militarisation, but they are now backtracking due to the impact that the war is having on ordinary people and households. <BR /> <BR />When prices rise internationally, the impact is felt straight away in homes and businesses here. That underlines why renewable energy matters. Growing our renewable energy capabilities is, first and foremost, about climate and protecting our environment, but it is also about security and stability.”
“At a time when businesses continue to face pressure, having a modern and effective insolvency framework is essential. It allows us not just to respond to difficulty but to build resilience for the future and to withstand shocks through having an increasingly responsive economy. I support the Bill and commend the Minister for introducing it.”
“At its core, the legislation recognises that, when businesses face difficulty, the system around them must be clear, efficient and fair. That means giving viable businesses the chance to recover. Streamlined procedures reduce costs, delay and complexity, and that is particularly important for our small to medium-sized enterprise sector, as SMEs make up such a large proportion of our local businesses. <BR /> <BR />The Bill is part of a wider programme of work on which the Minister is leading. She is engaging with stakeholders, consulting on reform and taking decisive action to strengthen our economic foundations. The Bill reflects the wider economic priorities of supporting enterprise, protecting jobs and building resilience.”
“I welcome the Final Stage of the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill. The legislation is about elements that are fundamental to any functioning economy: confidence, fairness and resilience. The Minister for the Economy introduced the Bill in June 2025, and it has progressed through its scrutiny stages. That demonstrates proactive legislative leadership. The Minister's approach has clearly been informed by consultation and engagement with stakeholders across the insolvency and legal sectors. <BR /> <BR />The Bill is a practical and necessary step towards modernising our insolvency framework. It ensures that businesses, creditors and workers here are not left behind and that there will now exist a system that reflects the realities of today's economy.”
“In this transformation, there is obviously a huge element of workforce planning. Two of the elements that I am interested in are: what skill sets do you plan for to enable this work, and how do you ensure that the right people will be in place to make sure that the digital transformation can happen over the coming years?”
“I thank the Minister for her answers so far and for meeting me recently to discuss these schemes. Councillor Grace Uí Niallais and I have been working with local residents in Derry, particularly on the Magee scheme and in relation to areas surrounding the Magee campus, which will expand over the coming years. I welcome the Minister's commitment to that area, and it is very welcome that the statement outlines that that scheme will not change based on the new proposals because it is already in situ, or at least in progress. Will the Minister give an update on the timeline for that? How does she think that it will roll out over the next weeks and months?”
“That is OK. I do not disagree with any of the commitments that the Member has asked all Departments to make. However, you have talked about healthcare, housing and poverty: why are the relevant Departments not called on in the motion?”
“<BR /> <BR />I commend the amendment to the House.”
“It has not, however, done anything to help deliver them. Today, the SDLP's focus is on saying that there is no delivery from those Departments. I am really confused by that. The SDLP put forward a proposal in its paper, but it is not costed, and there is no practical reality to it. It is all aspirational. <BR /> <BR />We need to work collaboratively and cooperatively. The key is to work together to work out what is best for the economy across our country. We do that best when we work together. Focusing, for electioneering purposes, on three Departments that just happen to be led by Sinn Féin Ministers necessitated the tabling of an amendment, because those are the three Departments that are delivering and trying to change things. They are trying to undo 100 years of partition in our country and to better the economy.”
“It is about making decisions for Ireland in Ireland, and those are important steps to take while we are progressing towards that. <BR /> <BR />I have tried to highlight some of the key elements of delivery. I am baffled by the fact that the motion's ask focuses on three Departments. I absolutely accept and agree that all Departments need to be progressing on an all-Ireland basis and that all need to be working towards an all-Ireland economy. As I mentioned, the key barriers to that are housing and skills. The Departments that are doing something are the ones that are being criticised in the motion, and that is why we needed to table an amendment. <BR /> <BR />The other thing to say is that, when all those points of delivery that I noted were made, the SDLP welcomed every one of them.”
“There has been delivery of the all-island rail review and the ring-fencing of £1 million in this year's Budget for the AI research resource (AIRR). That keeps the momentum going. We have cross-border greenways. Progress has been made on the Enterprise fleet. There has been cross-border work by the A5/N2 group. That is all delivery. <BR /> <BR />Take the Department of Finance. It is on the Executive to prioritise the fiscal framework. It is a key issue that John has championed in the Department, as did Caoimhe before him. It is about making decisions locally, getting greater autonomy and increasing our ability to make such decisions here in order to generate increased income for public services. The best way in which to do that financial remodelling is, of course, through Irish unity.”
“There is £3·5 million to support City of Derry Airport to take the burden off ratepayers in the council area. For me, that is a key example of delivery, particularly when over half the airport's passengers come from the South. This is about all-Ireland cooperation. InterTradeIreland's funding is up. Hidden Heartlands has been delivered. There has been huge progress on extending the Wild Atlantic Way. The postgraduate loan for Northern students studying in the South has been introduced. That was not there before. We see increased cooperation on alignment between UCAS and CAO, as well as research and development partnerships. The new Queen's campus in Dundalk is fantastic and shows confidence and growth across our island. <BR /> <BR />Take the Department for Infrastructure.”
“I agree with the comments on poverty, but why is there no call on the Department for Communities? The motion lacks a lot. The premise of working together and the call for cooperation and collaboration is positive, but the motion could be strengthened. That is why we have tabled our amendment. <BR /> <BR />I have a number of points. I will run through them quickly, because I am conscious of time. <BR /> <BR />Let us look at delivery in those three Departments. Take the Department for the Economy. We have seen a 60% growth in enrolments at Magee university in Derry since 2021, which is incredibly positive: that is delivery. Regional balance is a core pillar of the ministerial vision: that is delivery. The clustering of key areas and sectors is delivery. A new Invest NI office in Dublin is delivery.”
“The SDLP motion is about politicking and electioneering. It is not about genuine cooperation. Sinn Féin is the key delivery agent in the Assembly and across Ireland of that all-Ireland cooperation. We champion it in everything that we do. The motion is an attack on Departments that have Sinn Féin Ministers. <BR /> <BR />What is proposed in the motion and in what the Member said in moving it relates to poverty and educational underachievement. Those are genuine concerns, and I share them. However, I ask that the key things that we see as barriers to economic growth be included. One is housing, but I see no mention of housing in the motion. I see no call on the Department for Communities. I see no mention of education in the motion and no call for the Department of Education to do anything.”
“of Donegal County Council. We have seen the first of the projects that are both North and South. That is a great indication of how we work collaboratively as a region. At the event, we had the Atlantic Technological University (ATU); Ulster University (UU); the North West Regional College; and the Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB). That is an example of how the positive transformation that is happening in Stormont is reflected in communities and in our colleges and universities across the North. We have much to learn from them. <BR /> <BR />I am glad to see the motion, but there are a few key reasons for our amendment. The amendment focuses on positive politics. It is about what we can do together and having a collaborative approach. It is about highlighting what we can do when we work together.”
“The key reason for deciding to ensure that regional balance is a key pillar for the Department for the Economy is to ensure that border communities, which have been left behind by partition and failed by this state, have equal opportunity and increased opportunity going forward. That is something that we will continue to see. <BR /> <BR />Last week, I attended the relaunch of the north-west learning city region in Magee. At that event, we had the mayor of the Derry City and Strabane District Council and the cathaoirleach”
“I am glad to be talking about the issue, because all-Ireland cooperation and the all-Ireland economy are growing. We all know the figures and statistics and the results of dual market access in particular. If we look at statistics from 2001, we see that all-Ireland trade was valued at £1·9 billion. It was at a similar level in 2015. However, that has grown dramatically since the introduction of dual market access, with the figure in 2022 sitting at around £7 billion a year. The all-Ireland economy is a reality in constituencies such as mine and in border constituencies across the North.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“<BR />The NUS released a strong statement commending it, and I praise the Minister for her work in this area and across the board to enhance the experience of and opportunities for students in the North.”
“When we talk about skills and opportunities, we look at the skills gaps and vacancies in teaching, social work, the healthcare professions and the legal profession. There are opportunities. The Minister's position will allow people to reskill and upskill, and it will take away a huge element of the financial burden that prevents people from going onto those courses and prevents highly skilled people from taking on those opportunities to address the skills gaps in our economy and improve their own circumstances. <BR /> <BR />I very much welcome the Minister's move. I am sure that it has been welcomed across the House. It has been most important to see the welcome it has received from students.”
“For example, when I stepped into my role as a member of the Economy Committee, I was not sure about productivity — it was something that I had less experience with. The courses allowed me to upskill in that specific area, and, as anyone who sits on the Economy Committee will know, I am now very passionate about productivity, I know a lot about it, and I can work with industry experts on it. <BR /> <BR />I experienced life as a postgraduate student when I trained as a primary-school teacher. I was very lucky to have that opportunity: I went straight from school into my undergraduate course, and from there I then went straight into a postgraduate course. I am conscious that many of the people who did the course with me did not have the same opportunity and, at huge financial risk, left full-time employment to be able to do so.”
“I rise to welcome the announcement by Sinn Féin's Economy Minister, Caoimhe Archibald, that postgraduate loans will increase by 54%, from £6,500 up to £10,000. It is one of the myriad of schemes and proposals that have been brought forward by the Minister, which include increased student provision, including articulation routes; increased access through our FE colleges to further and higher education; and increased student maintenance loans, which have already increased by 20%. In addition, our student fees remain at half the level of those in England. <BR /> <BR />The Minister is committed to enhancing further and higher education provision across the spectrum here in the North. The SKILL UP programme allows people to upskill, reskill and diversify their skills into particular areas.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. There may be a bit of confusion in what he says. The motion is about equity; it is not about trying to promote one over the other. It is not about zero-sum; it is about increasing opportunities across the board. I reassure the Member and, indeed, other Members that there is no attempt to diminish anything. There is an opportunity here to increase opportunities for young people across the board. The motion does not take away from east-west opportunities; it increases North/South opportunities. It is about equity and increased opportunity.”
“Although they applied to both UCAS and CAO, they decided, once they got their offer from Ulster University, Queen's or the Open University, that they would take up that offer and reject their offer from the South because of the uncertainty created by the delay. We are offering Ministers an opportunity to work collegiately on the issue to ensure that all students can have equality of access and equality of opportunity.”
“<BR /> <BR />This is about creating fairer and better opportunities for our young people. Achieving alignment necessitates a joined-up, collegiate approach between Departments, North and South, universities, colleges and awarding bodies, as well as UCAS and CAO. In particular, I praise the National Union of Students-Union of Students in Ireland (NUS-USI) for its work on the issue, because that work has been student-led. It has been led by students who have been impacted on by the problem and want to drive progress. Even in my time at school, many of my friends who wished to study in the South decided not to do so.”
“<BR /> <BR />An opportunity exists for the Minister of Education, and I am disappointed that he is not here today. He has proposed the removal of AS levels, but one of the benefits that we have seen recently is that four A levels are no longer required in order for students in the North to apply to CAO. Instead, they are now required to have three A levels and one AS level. Removing AS levels would negate that benefit and thus reduce opportunities for students from the North to study in the South, instead increasing barriers. I know that the Minister has had some engagement with his Southern counterparts, and it would have been useful to hear about that today, but, hopefully, other Members can raise points and update us on exactly what has been happening.”
“We want a system that is less ad hoc and less inconsistent and that does not perpetuate barriers to education, particularly for young people whose families may not have had the opportunity to study in third-level institutions. It is about equalising that opportunity and creating the same opportunity for young people in all our schools and colleges. <BR /> <BR />There have been significant advancements in alignment made recently, particularly, first, on recognition of the issue itself and, secondly, on the removal of the necessity to do four A levels here. My colleagues Mairéad Farrell TD and Donna McGettigan TD have raised that issue in the Dáil, and our team in the Oireachtas has been raising it consistently. It is an issue that has been pushed by my Sinn Féin colleagues in the South, working with our team in the North.”
“I am sure that all MLAs face the problem of cities and towns in their constituencies losing young people through the brain drain. We are losing young people who have huge skills and huge talents, and we want to have the opportunity to retain them in our communities in Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Having alignment is really important for students, because it would allow the Careers Service to be more focused on the issue. Unless you are a teacher with personal experience of the process, you will not be particularly familiar with CAO applications. We have seen an inconsistency in approach across schools and across different education sectors.”
“UCAS alignment with the CAO system is therefore particularly important, because it would allow students the opportunity to have one system to work towards, while also giving students in the North the opportunity to apply to and study in colleges in the South, and vice versa. It would allow students in the South the opportunity to have more time to plan where to go to university, to decide what course to do and to sort out their accommodation for when they get there. Alignment would therefore benefit everyone. Alignment would be mutually beneficial and create more opportunities for students, but it would also create opportunities for those right across our society and ensure that people can live, work and study at home.”
“Today, I raise a perennial problem, which is the lack of alignment between universities and colleges, North and South. That has an impact, particularly in my constituency, where we have a number of students from Donegal who study in Derry and a number of students from Derry who study in Donegal. Achieving regional balance has been a cornerstone of this Executive and has been raised as an issue by every Department. We therefore want to see that balance achieved, because it has an impact on every single one of our communities across the North. <BR /> <BR />If we are to look at the different systems, we have to start with the UCAS system, which has many benefits and offers a model of best practice, particularly on alignment.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“As we welcome the fleadh to Belfast this year, I have no doubt that we will see the branch represented and contributing to the celebrations there. Go n-éirí an bóthar leo agus go maire a gceol go deo.”
“Success at Feis Dhoire Cholmcille and other competitions highlights the branch's high standards and reflects the consistent work of tutors, volunteers and others over many years. <BR /> <BR />Reaching 10 years is a notable achievement for any voluntary organisation. It represents commitment, organisation and sustained community support. The branch's success is down to its founding members, the Molloy family, as well as to the committee members, tutors, volunteers and families who have committed to its continued development. As the milestone is marked, there is every reason to believe that Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Bhaile na gCailleach will continue to contribute positively to cultural life in Derry in the years ahead.”
“Over the past 10 years, the branch has played a significant role in promoting traditional Irish music, song, dance and language across Derry. Through weekly classes, it has created opportunities for young people and adults alike to learn, perform and celebrate our culture. The branch has been actively involved in major cultural events across our city. Last year, it hosted Fleadh Mhór Dhoire and welcomed competitors and visitors for a weekend of competitions, concerts and traditional sessions. Its members have also performed on 'Céilí House' on RTÉ Radio 1, which came to Derry to record the renowned show on two occasions, as well as at the annual St Patrick's Day celebrations in Guildhall Square and at a plethora of other prestigious events in Derry and further afield.”
“in Derry, and I had the opportunity to attend the branch's 10th anniversary celebrations. They reflected the steady growth and development of the branch since its creation a decade ago. As dearcáin bheaga a fhásann na crainn is airde.”
“The weekend marked an important milestone, as we celebrated 10 years of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Bhaile na gCailleach”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he specify how the scheme will support businesses, particularly those in the north-west?”
“That initiative has been transformational for Derry. It has introduced new skilled jobs with huge opportunities for people to progress. You mentioned the number of jobs that were brought forward last year. Will the Minister outline any lessons learned from the recruitment process about what could be done better? I appreciate that some of the information has already been given.”