Conor Murphy
Newry and Armagh · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“More detailed consultations with individual childcare providers and parents are taking place this month and into February. The group agreed that the research would conclude in March 2025. The work is on schedule; there has been no delay. Childcare is an excellent example of various Departments coming together to deliver for our people.”
“The Bill looks at the issue of flexible working, but at every meeting that we have had with employers, we have made a point of talking to them about the need for them to be flexible, particularly in relation to women who are returning to the workforce, and to offer people arrangements that entice them back to the workforce and give them t…”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak to the motion. <BR /> <BR />Although the Department of Education leads on childcare, it is a priority for the Executive as a whole. When setting the Budget for this financial year, the Executive earmarked an additional £25 million for childcare.”
“As a matter of fact, I publicly launched the scheme and the courses in the Met last summer. My officials are also working with our six further education colleges to develop childcare microcourses for future delivery. <BR /> <BR />I also offered to assist Minister Givan's Department as required.”
“The group identified the need to better understand the business models for childcare, what type of support is needed to ensure the sector's financial viability and how support should be targeted. Given my Department's business expertise, we volunteered to take that work forward.”
“No tensions or obstacles have been placed in the way of any of that work, and I hope that that continues to be the case, because the issues are much more important than party political exchanges across the Chamber. We will continue to work in that manner.”
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“I do not think that we will necessarily seek to divide the House on it, but my proposition to the Executive will be for them to press not for a limitation on its use but for no use. We are getting the clear message from industry that anything that creates an additional bureaucratic hurdle will be a deterrent to people coming to the North. Our best and first option should be to get rid of the ETA. As I said, I do not see any need to divide the House on that. We have a fairly common approach; it is just a matter of nuance. Hopefully, the Executive will back my proposition so that it will be not only me going to the Home Office but the First Minister and deputy First Minister.”
“People will know of various advertisements that they see if they are considering going on an international trip and that, within those, there are subsectors of particular localised brands. I do not see a challenge in adopting those national brands and retaining localised brands, which give people who come to the area additional experiences and interest. <BR /> <BR />My concern with the DUP amendment is also in line with what the leader of the UUP expressed. Doug Beattie stated that "getting rid" of the ETA is "the best thing to do". I do not think that we should set short the Executive's position. I want to see the Executive challenge in a robust way the very existence of the ETA. I get where the DUP is coming from in its amendment.”
“I therefore intend to bring a paper to the Executive to seek their agreement to the First Minister and deputy First Minister also writing to the new British Home Secretary after the general election. <BR /> <BR />I turn to a number of the points that were raised during the debate. There were many consistent views, particularly in relation to the electronic travel authorisation scheme. There were a few broadcasts from various parts of the country for the tourism offering there. I do not disagree with any of those. <BR /> <BR />On amendment No 1, I find myself agreeing with the leader of the Opposition in that I do not think that there is a difficulty in having international brands that complement local brands. That is the experience.”
“I am pleased to hear that those concerns are shared across the Benches. <BR /> <BR />The ETA is consistently raised as one of the tourism industry's biggest concerns. For that reason, I wrote to the British Minister of State for Legal Migration and the Border in April, seeking an urgent meeting to raise my concerns and find solutions that will protect our tourism industry. I have had no response to that letter. I intend to write again to seek an urgent meeting with the new British Home Secretary following the general election. In addition, given that the concerns about the ETA are shared across the political spectrum, my preference is for an agreed Executive position to be communicated to the British Home Office.”
“I am therefore extremely concerned about the introduction of the British Government's electronic travel authorisation scheme and its potential to deter tourists from including the North in their itinerary. I see it as a real risk to the huge growth potential for tourism here. That view is shared by the industry. I welcome in particular the representations made by the Tourism Alliance. <BR /> <BR />In 2019, international visitors, who would require an ETA if it were to be introduced, contributed £220 million to the local economy, and that could be impacted on by the introduction of the ETA scheme. The bureaucracy and cost involved may deter many visitors who arrive in the South from travelling North. Given the fact that 70% of overseas holidaymakers come from the South, that poses a very serious threat.”
“I have already been told clearly and repeatedly that there is a real appetite for those brand experiences to be extended to the North, and I welcome the views of all parties in the Chamber in support of that. People are rightly excited about the possibilities that the brands will provide by encouraging visitors to come here more often and stay with us for longer. Those on the ground are best placed to guide and deliver the needs of the industry. That is why I am establishing a tourism partnership board to deliver strategic actions for the sector by the sector. <BR /> <BR />I turn to the ETA. Seamless all-island travel is key to building on the growth that we have seen in our tourism sector since the Good Friday Agreement.”
“It would take little imagination for the likes of Navan Fort, the Mournes and Strangford to be incorporated into that brand experience, along with the areas associated with St Patrick: Lecale, Downpatrick and Armagh. Linkages already exist in that area for tourists to explore, with the recent announcement of funding from the Shared Island Fund for the Narrow Water bridge, which will bring together Louth and the Mournes. I have agreed to meet representatives from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to hear how parts of Armagh and Down might be included in Ireland's Ancient East. <BR /> <BR />The benefits that such regional brand opportunities can deliver is recognised in communities. My proposals have been developed following extensive engagement with councils and tourism operators on the ground.”
“Starting at the south-eastern coast with Waterford and Wexford and extending northwards, it brings life to the culture, heritage and history of the region, drawing on Irish mythology and the Viking and Norman histories of the area.”
“Fáilte Ireland's Hidden Heartlands focuses on the nature-based experiences of waterways and walking trails, stretching from north Cork up to Cavan and Leitrim. The peace and tranquillity of that landscape follows the winding trail of the River Shannon up to the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark. The Fermanagh lakelands share those characteristics, and there is a natural fit for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands to be extended further. There already is considerable collaboration between Cavan County Council and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council on tourism development. The extension of the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands brand will only build on that good work, providing even more opportunities for sustainable economic growth in the north-west. <BR /> <BR />The third of Fáilte Ireland's regional brands is Ireland’s Ancient East.”
“It will be backed up by a destination marketing plan along the routes, together with the aim of achieving longer visitor stays and greater economic benefits in the north-west and across the north coast. It places Derry as the destination city, and it opens up the opportunity of incorporating the Causeway coastal route into the northern section of the Wild Atlantic Way. The project reinforces the belief of Ministers North and South in the untapped benefits of all-island tourism and the opportunity that it provides to create good jobs in local communities. In that context, discussions continue on extending the Wild Atlantic Way branding to the North. <BR /> <BR />One of the amendments suggested including Counties Fermanagh and Tyrone in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, which I agree with.”
“It continues from Derry past Benone beach and Mussenden Temple and from there on to Dunluce Castle via the Giant's Causeway and beyond to Dunseverick Castle in Ballintoy. That has been recognised, with Ireland's three agencies — Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Fáilte Ireland — already working collaboratively to bring together experiences for visitors on the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway coastal route. <BR /> <BR />That Shared Island initiative, which is worth almost €8 million, will identify key discovery points along both existing routes. It is bringing the routes closer together through new signage and will provide a small capital grants scheme for tourism experiences.”
“As Economy Minister, I will fund Tourism Ireland properly so that it has the resources to attract more people here. If we want the North to be part of a traveller's full Irish experience, it needs to be promoted in that way too. <BR /> <BR />In discussions with Minister Martin, the Tourism Minister in the South, I outlined the clear potential from extending Fáilte Ireland's regional brands into the North. The Wild Atlantic Way already stretches 2,500 kilometres from the Old Head of Kinsale in County Cork to the Inishowen peninsula in Donegal, a driving route that showcases visitor attractions along Ireland's rugged west coast. The coastline that embodies the spirit of the Wild Atlantic Way, shaped by the ocean, does not stop at Lough Foyle.”
“Tourism also has the capacity to contribute to good jobs, by providing employment opportunities for all; to productivity, by embracing new and emerging technologies, both in the sector itself and in attracting people here; and to decarbonisation, because tourists are thinking about green issues when selecting their destinations, and Tourism NI already works closely with business operators to embed sustainability in how they deliver their business. <BR /> <BR />Tourism was identified as an area of cooperation under the Good Friday Agreement, recognising the potential for the growth of the sector on an all-island basis. That is why Tourism Ireland was established and tasked with promoting Ireland as a destination for visitors from across the globe.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate and thank Members for their contributions. <BR /> <BR />Tourism provides employment for 70,000 people here, 70% of whom work outside Belfast. That highlights the importance and the potential of tourism to the local economy, with places to see and visit in communities across the North. Its strong subregional presence means that tourism already has a sustainable basis for people across the North, wherever they live, to have the opportunity to earn a living in their neighbourhoods. For that reason, it is a key sector in delivering regional balance, which is one of my key priorities.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“As a consequence of being given some relief in relation to the whole Brexit debacle, we need to continue to get on with making the best advantage of that. We have already begun that work. The response of businesses to that has been evident over the last period of time. We will continue to do that work in our own businesses, but also with the possibility of attracting investment from other countries.”
“It is unlikely that it will become an answer to the Brexit issue in the near future, so the Windsor framework remains the only viable option to ensure free flow of trade North/South and east-west. <BR /> <BR />Steve Aiken questioned the fitness of Invest NI. It has been through a very significant review, and the outworkings of that continue and will have the support of the Department in getting to that space. There have been very significant changes in Invest NI, and there will continue to be significant changes. I am sure that he is reassured, though, given his references to IDA Ireland, that the new chief executive has experience of working in IDA Ireland and will bring that experience to his job in Invest NI. <BR /> <BR />I am coming to the end of my contribution. I thank the proposers and those who contributed to the discussion.”
“I can assure him that we continue to work on those issues. The DUP complained about the internal trade barriers and argued against our denial that those barriers existed. In the whole Brexit debate, most of us who were on the other side of thinking that Brexit was a bad idea argued precisely the point that introducing trade barriers would disrupt trade right across, and that is essentially what has happened as a consequence of Brexit. The protocol mitigates the worst impacts of Brexit. <BR /> <BR />The other issue, mutual recognition, was also promoted by Jim Allister in his contribution. Mutual recognition of standards has been consistently rejected by the UK and the EU.”
“Building on that cooperation, Invest NI will also look to identify potential opportunities for further and more systemic collaboration with Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and other organisations. I will also continue to work with the British Government, through the east-west structures that were set up recently and the new Intertrade UK body, although, to date, we have had no clarification from the British Government on Intertrade UK's structure, role or responsibilities. <BR /> <BR />Dual market access provides the North with a unique selling point, and we must leverage that position in order to grow our exports and trade and to attract investment. <BR /> <BR />I turn now to some of the points that were raised in the debate. I hope that I have addressed the detail of what the proposer is seeking through the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />Pursuing a circular economy will require all-island collaboration and increased resource efficiency to foster innovations through clusters and networks, reduce waste, stimulate secondary materials and strengthen supply chains. <BR /> <BR />I will move on to trade. Following discussions between my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the first joint international trade mission will take place later this year. The mission will be delivered in partnership by Invest NI, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to grow jointly the economy on the island. Those organisations will support a joint delegation of fintech, edtech and related technology companies from across the island, with a view to increasing export sales.”
“We continue to develop the outworkings of all of that. I can assure the Member that organic growth, North to South and South to North, has already been significant, and we will continue to provide whatever support we can in that regard. If that requires legislative action, that is something that we will look at. My sense is that some of the rhetoric in the Command Paper was more about reassuring people than providing any significant impetus. The foolishness of trying to put up barriers to something that has organically been very successful over the past 10 years and that has benefited local businesses from all areas and communities across the North is nonsensical.”
“By cooperating on shared challenges and opportunities, we will be able to better realise the potential of the all-Ireland economy. Cooperation is already occurring in areas such as tourism, with the award of €7·6 million by the Irish Government through the Shared Island Fund for a programme of work on a tourism project that is to run from 2023 to 2025. The project will develop a new all-Ireland tourism brand collaboration and marketing initiative to be administered by tourism agencies on a cross-border basis. We must also pursue other areas, such as those that relate to the net zero agenda, on an all-island basis.”
“That investment, over the next three to four years, will allow the economic development agencies on the island to work together to enhance collaboration, develop shared programmes and support businesses, North and South. It represents the first time that all three economic development agencies across the island will work together to deliver such an initiative. That will be a boost to the whole island and particularly the border region by addressing ingrained disadvantage and by increasing economic inclusion and innovation growth. <BR /> <BR />The Government in Dublin recognise, as do I, the importance of growing and sustaining the strong economic ties across the island that will be key to our economic growth and shared future.”
“The work of InterTradeIreland has been instrumental in growing the all-Ireland economy. When it first opened its doors in 1999, cross-border trade was valued at €2 billion. The potential of the all-Ireland market has not yet been fully realised, but it is today valued at €12 billion, which is an all-time high. InterTradeIreland, in its role as the only all-Ireland trade development agency, has done a lot of foundation work on bringing agencies together through collaboration. Those agencies include InterTradeIreland, Invest NI, Enterprise Ireland, the Department for the Economy and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Over the past two years, that work has been positively influenced by the funding commitment from the Shared Island Fund for the enterprise scheme, which is valued at €30 million.”
“Indeed, research shows that businesses that trade cross-border are more successful, resilient and profitable. Businesses that operate cross-border continue to benefit from the degree of mobility in the labour market provided by the common travel area, and that has been unaffected by the Windsor framework.”
“The Windsor framework arrangements and our access to the EU single market for goods have protected the thriving all-Ireland economy. It is important to build on that for the benefit of all our people. The value of the all-Ireland economy and cross-border trade to growing exports will be important to achieving economic development. Sales to the South of Ireland grew by £1 billion, or 18%, in 2022. The total value of those sales is now £6·4 billion. I want us to make the most of our dual market access opportunities to support more businesses to export. For many, cross-border trade is the first step in developing that capacity.”
“If appropriate, and in consultation with the North/South Ministerial Council, I would be willing to explore the use of that existing mechanism. To support sustainable growth of the economy, we will need to continue to work in collaboration with both the British and Irish Governments on areas of shared opportunities and challenges. Indeed, as Britain and Ireland represent the two largest markets that businesses here sell to, it is clearly in our economic interest to collaborate in order to maximise the opportunities that are associated with dual market access, growing trade on a North/South and east-west basis. <BR /> <BR />Collaboration will also be key to unlocking the tremendous potential that the all-island economy possesses.”
“Indeed, I am aware of a business in my constituency that is experiencing issues with sending orders to the EU and receivers experiencing customer charges. My officials and I will continue to raise those issues on behalf of businesses with British Government and EU officials, with whom we will continue to seek practical and pragmatic resolutions. <BR /> <BR />Article 14 — specifically, article 14(b) — of the protocol provides for the North/South Ministerial Council to raise issues to the Specialised Committee on the implementation of the protocol where there are perceived problems with all-Ireland trade. That could represent a useful mechanism by which to raise issues directly with decision makers on both the British and EU sides.”
“Invest NI has been promoting the advantage of dual market access in its discussions with buyers and investors, and it will supplement that with a campaign utilising social media, online and in-person events and awareness raising at trade events. It has developed and is implementing a programme of trade visits and services to promote opportunities for local firms. <BR /> <BR />Further work is to be done with EU member states to highlight the fact that, unlike in Britain, Brexit has not introduced any barriers to importing from the North. However, disrupting long-established arrangements does not come without difficulties. I am aware that some businesses are experiencing issues with, for example, supply chains or delivery of their goods.”
“That will help to ensure that providers are joined up and working seamlessly together, delivering effective advice and services to our businesses and supporting them to expand into external markets. <BR /> <BR />Our unique dual market access adds to the proposition that makes the North an attractive place in which to invest. Work is well under way by Invest NI to ramp up the awareness and promotion of our dual market access proposition in key markets. Invest NI has expanded its on-the-ground resources across key EU markets to identify and maximise opportunities for businesses across the North and to promote the continued ease of sourcing goods from the region for buyers and our unique market access arrangements for investors.”
“Output of the co-design session with businesses is a forward plan activity in addition to current Invest NI activities, including the establishment of a dedicated team in Invest NI to maximise dual market access opportunities, which will work in collaboration with colleagues in the Department for the Economy, InterTradeIreland and relevant partners in Britain; a programme of engagement with businesses across the North to support them to maximise opportunities and navigate current trading arrangements; and a schedule of quarterly engagement with business representative organisations to continue the process of co-design. My Department has brought together key providers on export support and advice through the export forum.”
“My Department has undertaken analysis and published information that uses regulatory indices that were developed by the UK Trade Policy Observatory to help businesses to better understand the post-EU exit regulatory environment within individual sectors. That work will assist businesses to better understand the types of products and sectors where dual market access opportunities could be exploited. We have also worked with Queen's University to publish information that helps businesses to understand the complexity of the regulatory landscape in the North. <BR /> <BR />To build on that work, my Department and Invest NI organised the first co-design workshop with a range of local business representatives.”
“Our unique position of having access to both the EU single market and the British market provides us with the conditions to grow our external sales at scale. We can use that access and the appeal that it provides to foreign firms to invest and do business here to our advantage in pursuit of attracting high-quality, highly productive inward investment, which would benefit all parts of the North. <BR /> <BR />My Department and its partner agencies are working closely together to understand how best to maximise the opportunities that dual market access provides and how best to support businesses to take advantage of them.”
“The benefits afforded by dual market access further enhance our already strong position as a prime location to establish or grow a business based primarily on the skills of our people. <BR /> <BR />The trade and investment opportunities available through our dual market access position of supporting more businesses to export and attracting inward investment will be a key catalyst in achieving our economic plan of a highly productive, zero-carbon, regionally balanced economy with good jobs. Indeed, exporting is a key driver of productivity growth, and, whilst the North performs favourably through a number of our businesses that sell outside the local market, there is significant potential to increase the value of our external sales.”
“The dual market access means that we are the only location where business can export goods to both British and EU markets free from customs declarations, rules of origin certificates and non-tariff barriers. Businesses based here can use EU inputs in their products without having to import them, enhancing the benefits for companies serving the British market. That is a unique proposition for businesses here, as well as those seeking a pivotal location from which to service British and EU markets, recalibrate supply chains or design, develop and sell products across key industries. Those industries include life and health sciences, aerospace, electronics and machinery, chemicals, consumer goods and agri-food goods.”
“I thank the Members who tabled the motion, and I welcome the opportunity to speak to it. I assure the proposer of the motion that the detail that he has outlined will be responded to with detail and that it is not merely rhetoric that I am deploying on this issue. A number of Members contributed to the debate, and I thank them for their contributions. <BR /> <BR />The certainty in trading arrangements delivered by the Windsor framework provides us with a unique set of trading arrangements and offers unique opportunities for the North, both in inward investment and trade growth. It positions our region as a unique gateway for the sale of goods to two of the world's largest markets: Britain and the EU.”
“I assure people that not only will we continue to work with you on promoting tourism in all our areas, including East Antrim, but we will work collectively as an Executive — I am sure that the Communities Minister could concur with that — in order to try to ensure that we do our best for the tourism sector, which is, as I say, a key part of our overall economic product here, and particularly for East Antrim, which the Member who brought forward the Adjournment topic raised.”
“I will undertake to promote East Antrim. I must check the record for how often Newry and Armagh was promoted while you were in this position, but I assure you that I will reciprocate on that. <BR /> <BR />Electronic travel authorisation was mentioned. I have raised that with British Government Ministers. Of course, we will take the opportunity to continue to raise it with the incoming Government. I do not think that the impact that such a policy would have on this island is fully understood. Clearly, the tourism industry, as a whole, is very exercised about the issue, and we will continue to raise it. <BR /> <BR />I thank Members for raising those issues. I have learnt more about East Antrim in the past hour than I had previously, even though I have stayed in it.”
“I am very interested in the Communities Minister's experience as a tourism promoter, particularly his experience at Carrick-a-Rede bridge. I have to think that coaxing people from positions in which they find themselves reluctantly should serve him well in his political life as he goes forward.”
“During my time there, we raised those issues consistently with the British Government. I hope and expect that the current Finance Minister will continue to do that with the incoming Government to see whether we can get some more joy on it. Of course, I recognise that, while those are other Departments' responsibilities, we have collective responsibility in all those areas. I am very happy to work with the Finance Minister, the Infrastructure Minister and others on the issues that have been mentioned in order to ensure that we work together to try to promote the tourism industry, which is a key part of our economy here. <BR /> <BR />I never suspected that I would hear the name of Timmy Mallett associated with East Antrim in all my days in the Assembly, but there you go.”
“We can attract all the tourists if we do that well enough, but we need to have people working in the sector in order to be able to service it. <BR /> <BR />Issues that relate to town centre dereliction, the back in business scheme and dilapidation are, of course, as people acknowledged, another Department's responsibilities, but I believe, having been in that Department once, that rates relief for dereliction should be revisited. That is because, while it might take some time to bring legislation through to try to enforce disposal of those properties, the lack of a rates bill for derelict properties certainly does not encourage anyone to do anything with them. <BR /> <BR />Other rates issues and VAT were raised. Again, air passenger duty is an issue for the Department of Finance.”
“<BR /> <BR />Tourism has a major role to play in delivering a greener, regionally balanced and productive economy that provides good jobs, and my officials and I look forward to working with the councils and the wider tourism industry in East Antrim to ensure that the area can fully benefit from the realisation of the economic plans. <BR /> <BR />I will refer to points that were made by Members, and I will try to pick them up in order. Hospitality support was mentioned, and Gordon Lyons expanded on that when talking about the skills needed. We are working closely with the hospitality sector on a tourism strategy, but we also had a direct meeting last week about the skills agenda and how the sector can try to tap into that. There is a very strong need for that in the hospitality sector.”
“<BR /> <BR />Last year, a joint application by Tourism NI, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to the Shared Island Fund was successful in securing €7·6 million as part of a brand alignment project involving the Causeway coastal route and the Wild Atlantic Way, which was referenced by Philip McGuigan during his contribution. Pre-development work has already begun, and that brand alignment project will help improve the discovery points and visitor experience along the Causeway coastal route. It will also ensure that a consistent and high-quality driving route sits alongside the Wild Atlantic Way. Members will be aware that discussions are ongoing to progress the extension of brands such as the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East into the North.”
“That will result in a newly engineered staircase, creating a circular, closed-loop pathway that will unlock the full potential of the existing attraction and enhance overall visitor experience. Once complete, the project should see visitor numbers increase to over 400,000 per year, bringing with it a substantial increase in tourism spend right across the constituency. Tourism NI has also been providing ongoing advice and support to the £42 million Carrickfergus regeneration city deal project. That will see much-needed investment in Carrickfergus Castle, enhancing the visitor experience in the castle, as well as delivering improvements to the public realm around Carrickfergus town.”
“Tourism NI regularly promotes the east Antrim area through its seasonal marketing campaigns across the island, and the Causeway coastal route features heavily in Tourism Ireland's promotion of the island to overseas audiences. <BR /> <BR />In recent times, my Department and Tourism NI have been working closely with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council on the development of the new Gobbins phase 2 project as part of the Belfast region city deal, which was mentioned by a number of Members. The contract for funding that was signed last month with Mid and East Antrim council will see my Department contribute £12·6 million towards the cost of delivering the project.”
“Those tourism experiences slow visitors down on their journey and encourage them to spend more time and, in turn, inject additional revenue into the local economy. <BR /> <BR />Since 2020, Tourism NI has invested over £1 million in the Mid and East Antrim and Antrim and Newtownabbey council areas as part of their experience and market development funding programmes. The investment has helped to fund experiences such as the new visitor centre and trails at Glenarm Castle, the development of Glenarm marina and the provision of bikes and tours in villages such as Whitehead, Glenarm and Islandmagee. Businesses in the constituency have also benefited from the initiatives that Tourism NI put in place to support the industry's recovery from the impact of the pandemic.”
“I thank the Member for securing the Adjournment debate, and I thank all those who contributed, particularly the representatives from the constituency. They spoke with passion about East Antrim and the tourism offering there. I have, on several occasions, stayed in Cushendun and Cushendall, so I can attest to all the attractions. <BR /> <BR />As has been outlined, there is much that contributes to the tourism offer in East Antrim, such as Carrickfergus Castle, the Gobbins and Glenarm Castle estate, as well as its stunning coastline and, of course, the glens of Antrim. The area is an integral part of the Causeway costal route, which, for many years, has been a key attractor for local and international visitors. It is strongly promoted by Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“We have already started work with Infrastructure. Yesterday, I had a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. We had a discussion across the entire area with regard to green energy, environmental matters and net zero targets. Of course, we will work with Communities, Finance and other Departments as well. The best outcome that we can have, because it is an Executive-wide priority, is to ensure that Departments harmonise the work that we need to do in order to achieve this, and, as has been said many times during the debate, supporting people to be part of this in their transition will be key to ensuring that nobody is left behind. I am very happy to acquiesce to the motion and the amendment.”
“A number of other issues were mentioned with regard to skills, which I hope that I have addressed and will address by having that action plan ready by the end of the summer. <BR /> <BR />I agreed with a range of other contributions that were made. I will not repeat them, suffice to say that there are some points, certainly in relation to the Utility Regulator and oil, that we need to consider. I am not averse to doing that, but it needs to be considered in the round. There are more issues at play there than, perhaps, appear on the surface. On my leading on some of this, that will be a challenge because it covers other Ministers' responsibilities, but I am happy to support the spirit of what was intended through collaboration. <BR /> <BR />Collaboration across Departments will be key to all this.”