Question Time: Executive Office Monday 22 March 2021
Channel: Northern Ireland Assembly
Date: 22/03/2021

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill answers Members questions Members questions on 22 March 2021. Read the Official Report (Hansard) - https://lk.nia.fyi/443i

Each of the questions answered have been chaptered in the video to help you find them more easily.

Chapters / Questions

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00:00 - Housing: NDNA Commitment

1. Mrs D Kelly asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, given the commitment for a specific housing outcome in New Decade New Approach (NDNA), why such an outcome is not included in the draft Programme for Government.


05:50 - Brexit Transition Discussions

2. Ms Kimmins asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on any discussions they have had to address issues arising from the end of the Brexit transition period. 


13:10 - COVID-19 Recovery Strategy

3. Ms Flynn asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the Executive’s COVID-19 recovery strategy.

14. Mr Catney asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister how they will ensure that 'Moving Forward: The Executive’s Pathway Out Of Restrictions' supports parks and outdoor activity facilities.


24:39 - Ebrington Square

4. Ms Anderson asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on how their Department is progressing projects on the Ebrington site. 


28:00 - Uighur and Kazakh Muslims

5. Mr McGlone asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline any representations that have been made to the Chinese Government through the Northern Ireland bureau office in Beijing about the treatment of Uighur and Kazakh Muslims.


Topical Questions


29:26 - Gender-based Violence

T2. Mr McGuigan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether they agree that the Executive must take immediate and resolute action to tackle gender-based violence against women and girls in light of the fact that, in early February, Urantsetseg Tserendorj, who was 48 and from Mongolia, was stabbed and killed in Dublin; earlier this month, Sarah Everard was kidnapped and murdered; and, at the weekend, the very tragic deaths of Karen McClean and Stacey Knell occurred in Rathcoole; with us all, no doubt, extending our deepest sympathies to their families, friends and loved ones. 



32:49 - Safety for Women and Girls

T3. Mr Catney asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, after expressing his sincere sympathy to the families of Stacey Knell and Karen McClean, who were so brutally murdered and taken from their loved ones at the weekend, to state what action they are taking to make our communities a safer place for women and girls. 


34:43 - Climate and Energy Governance

T4. Miss Woods asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, given that they will be aware of the recent report from academics at the University of Exeter, which was funded and commissioned by the Executive to look at the energy governance that will be required for Northern Ireland's energy transition, for their assessment of a key recommendation in the report that a duty be placed on all Northern Ireland Departments to consider climate and energy transition as part of policy development. 


36:42 - COVID-19: Vaccine Access

T5. Mrs Cameron asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what assurances they can give that the local vaccination programme will not be adversely affected by the EU’s threat to ban AstraZeneca supplies to the UK. 


37:55 - British Government Office in Belfast

T6. Mr Buckley asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether the deputy First Minister agrees with Minister Mallon who, last week, said that the opening of a UK Government office in Northern Ireland was a "power grab" and a clear attempt at "undermining devolution". 


41:07 - Caravan Parks and Holiday Homes: Reopening Date

T7. Mr Harvey asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, with St Patrick’s Day having passed and Easter coming fast, to enlighten the House on when they plan to reopen static caravan parks and holiday homes.


42:51 - Victims’ Payment Scheme: Funding

T8. Ms Ennis asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what discussions have been had with the British Secretary of State on funding for the victims’ payment scheme.