Questions Time happens in the Assembly on those Mondays and Tuesdays on which the Assembly is sitting.
Justice Minister, David Ford, described the impact of drugs and alcohol on his Department during today’s Question Time. The Minister exclaimed “I have no doubt that substance misuse has an impact on expenditure in my Department, the Executive and the wider public sector” adding that research has shown that the impact of alcohol alone has… Continue Reading Question Time: Justice Tuesday 20 October 2015
Roy Beggs MLA asked acting First Minister, Arlene Foster, for an update on the outstanding issues within the Stormont House Agreement during today’s Question Time. Mrs Foster described the Stormont House Agreement as “a fundamental part of the current talks process” but was however unwilling to comment on current progress as talks are still ongoing.… Continue Reading Question Time: Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister 19 October 2015
Environment Minister, Mark Durkan, discussed climate change priorities ahead of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference during today’s Question Time. TheIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) fifth assessment report highlights the dramatic changes to our climate and their causes. The Minister will be attending the Conference of Parties 21 (COP21) as part of the… Continue Reading Question Time: Environment 13 October 2015
Finance Minister, Arlene Foster, provided an update on the inescapable financial pressures facing the Executive during today’s Question Time. The Minister revealed that “Departments have registered pressures in the June monitoring round of £234.6m on resource departmental expenditure limits (DEL) and £327.1m on capital DEL. A recent high-level assessment by my officials indicates that over… Continue Reading Question Time: Finance and Personnel 13 October 2015
Employment and learning Minister, Stephen Farry, discussed proposed course closures and job losses at the Coleraine campus of the Ulster University during today’s Question Time. While the Department sets funding and the strategic direction for the Higher Education sector, universities are autonomous and responsible for how their budget is deployed including course provision and staffing… Continue Reading Question Time: Employment and Learning Monday 12 October 2015
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle O’Neill, discussed farm price difficulties and the crisis in the farming sector during today’s Question Time. The Minister is “very concerned about the impact on individual farmers, their families and, indeed, the wider industry” citing global factors outside our control such as the Russian ban on food imports,… Continue Reading Question Time: Agriculture and Rural Development Monday 14 September 2015