Latest news with #JustinMcNulty
Belfast Telegraph
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Five questions that Stormont leaders delayed answering for months
Submitted: May 16, 2024 Draft answer provided: May 21, 2024 Question answered: February 25, 2025 Delay: 280 days Q: Detail any engagement they have had with (i) the UK government; (ii) the European Union; and (iii) the US government in relation to (a) divestment and sanctions against the State of Israel relating to its military operation in Gaza; and (b) funding protection and enhancement for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. A: Decisions on the matters raised in the question relate to foreign policy and are therefore excepted. There has been no engagement with the UK Government, the European Union, or the US Government on them. There is no joint agreement on this issue. Question from SDLP MLA Justin McNulty Submitted: May 16, 2024 Draft answer provided: May 21, 2024 Question answered: February 25, 2025 Delay: 280 days Q: Whether they will undertake a review of contracts awarded by their Department to identify whether public funds are being used, directly or indirectly, to fund the State of Israel during its military operation in Gaza. A: There are no plans at present to undertake a review. There is no joint agreement on this issue. Question from Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong Submitted: February 15, 2024 Draft answer provided: February 20, 2024 Question answered: November 19, 2024 Delay: 273 days Q: To ask the First Minister and Deputy First Minister for an update on the Equality Act. A: There are extensive legal protections in place in respect of equality in this jurisdiction. There is also work being undertaken that will enhance the current legislative framework specifically in respect of the Review of the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997. There is no agreement on a single Equality Bill. Question from SDLP MLA Justin McNulty Submitted: May 22, 2024 Draft answer provided: May 28, 2024 Question answered: February 25 2025 Delay: 273 days Q: Whether they will write to (i) An Taoiseach following Ireland's decision to recognise the State of Palestine; and (ii) the Prime Minister in relation to the recognition of a Palestinian state. A: Foreign Relations including the formal recognition of states is an excepted matter for the UK Government. There are no plans at present to write to either An Taoiseach or the Prime Minister in relation to this matter. There is no joint agreement on this issue. Question from Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong Submitted: Draft answer provided: November 6, 2024 Question answered: May 8, 2025 Delay: 183 days Q: Detail why a Citizens' Assembly has not progressed in line with the commitment in New Decade, New Approach. A: Civic engagement plays an important role in supporting policy development. We continue to assess options for the way forward.
North Wales Chronicle
27-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
O'Neill ‘determined to see Casement Park over the line'
The planned refurb of the derelict GAA ground in west Belfast has faced years of delay due to legal action by concerned residents and funding uncertainty. Asked for an update on the situation during Executive Office questions on Tuesday by SDLP MLA Justin McNulty, Ms O'Neill said she consistently raises Casement Park with all levels of the British and Irish Governments. She was also due to meet with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to discuss it on Tuesday afternoon. Currently plans for a 34,000-capacity venue on the site are in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million. Last year the UK government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. On Tuesday, Ms O'Neill said: 'We have to put every bit of energy and effort that we have to ensure that it is will be built. 'This is an Executive flagship project. 'I am determined to see it over the line, and I'm determined to work with all partners to ensure that that is the case.' Referring to Mr Lyons attending his first GAA match in post at the weekend, Ms O'Neill said she hopes he 'got a sense of how important it is to Gaels right across this island to play games in their own stadiums'. 'But I am absolutely determined to ensure that we get movement on Casement Park, and that means working with the minister, that means working with the British government, the Irish government, the GAA and all partners who are committed to ensuring that this project gets over the line. 'It is going to take all the partners working together to ensure that it is across the line. 'We missed a huge opportunity in terms of the Euros not being able to play and have our part in all of that, and the economic benefit that that would have brought to us all. 'It's a long overdue home for Ulster Gaels, and it is now time to get it built. 'I can say that I am determined to continue to work with everybody to ensure that the funding contribution is put on the table so that we can get on with actually building the project.'
South Wales Guardian
27-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
O'Neill ‘determined to see Casement Park over the line'
The planned refurb of the derelict GAA ground in west Belfast has faced years of delay due to legal action by concerned residents and funding uncertainty. Asked for an update on the situation during Executive Office questions on Tuesday by SDLP MLA Justin McNulty, Ms O'Neill said she consistently raises Casement Park with all levels of the British and Irish Governments. She was also due to meet with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to discuss it on Tuesday afternoon. Currently plans for a 34,000-capacity venue on the site are in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million. Last year the UK government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. On Tuesday, Ms O'Neill said: 'We have to put every bit of energy and effort that we have to ensure that it is will be built. 'This is an Executive flagship project. 'I am determined to see it over the line, and I'm determined to work with all partners to ensure that that is the case.' Referring to Mr Lyons attending his first GAA match in post at the weekend, Ms O'Neill said she hopes he 'got a sense of how important it is to Gaels right across this island to play games in their own stadiums'. 'But I am absolutely determined to ensure that we get movement on Casement Park, and that means working with the minister, that means working with the British government, the Irish government, the GAA and all partners who are committed to ensuring that this project gets over the line. 'It is going to take all the partners working together to ensure that it is across the line. 'We missed a huge opportunity in terms of the Euros not being able to play and have our part in all of that, and the economic benefit that that would have brought to us all. 'It's a long overdue home for Ulster Gaels, and it is now time to get it built. 'I can say that I am determined to continue to work with everybody to ensure that the funding contribution is put on the table so that we can get on with actually building the project.'
Rhyl Journal
27-05-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
O'Neill ‘determined to see Casement Park over the line'
The planned refurb of the derelict GAA ground in west Belfast has faced years of delay due to legal action by concerned residents and funding uncertainty. Asked for an update on the situation during Executive Office questions on Tuesday by SDLP MLA Justin McNulty, Ms O'Neill said she consistently raises Casement Park with all levels of the British and Irish Governments. She was also due to meet with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to discuss it on Tuesday afternoon. Currently plans for a 34,000-capacity venue on the site are in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million. Last year the UK government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. On Tuesday, Ms O'Neill said: 'We have to put every bit of energy and effort that we have to ensure that it is will be built. 'This is an Executive flagship project. 'I am determined to see it over the line, and I'm determined to work with all partners to ensure that that is the case.' Referring to Mr Lyons attending his first GAA match in post at the weekend, Ms O'Neill said she hopes he 'got a sense of how important it is to Gaels right across this island to play games in their own stadiums'. 'But I am absolutely determined to ensure that we get movement on Casement Park, and that means working with the minister, that means working with the British government, the Irish government, the GAA and all partners who are committed to ensuring that this project gets over the line. 'It is going to take all the partners working together to ensure that it is across the line. 'We missed a huge opportunity in terms of the Euros not being able to play and have our part in all of that, and the economic benefit that that would have brought to us all. 'It's a long overdue home for Ulster Gaels, and it is now time to get it built. 'I can say that I am determined to continue to work with everybody to ensure that the funding contribution is put on the table so that we can get on with actually building the project.'
Leader Live
27-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
O'Neill ‘determined to see Casement Park over the line'
The planned refurb of the derelict GAA ground in west Belfast has faced years of delay due to legal action by concerned residents and funding uncertainty. Asked for an update on the situation during Executive Office questions on Tuesday by SDLP MLA Justin McNulty, Ms O'Neill said she consistently raises Casement Park with all levels of the British and Irish Governments. She was also due to meet with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to discuss it on Tuesday afternoon. Currently plans for a 34,000-capacity venue on the site are in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million. Last year the UK government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. On Tuesday, Ms O'Neill said: 'We have to put every bit of energy and effort that we have to ensure that it is will be built. 'This is an Executive flagship project. 'I am determined to see it over the line, and I'm determined to work with all partners to ensure that that is the case.' Referring to Mr Lyons attending his first GAA match in post at the weekend, Ms O'Neill said she hopes he 'got a sense of how important it is to Gaels right across this island to play games in their own stadiums'. 'But I am absolutely determined to ensure that we get movement on Casement Park, and that means working with the minister, that means working with the British government, the Irish government, the GAA and all partners who are committed to ensuring that this project gets over the line. 'It is going to take all the partners working together to ensure that it is across the line. 'We missed a huge opportunity in terms of the Euros not being able to play and have our part in all of that, and the economic benefit that that would have brought to us all. 'It's a long overdue home for Ulster Gaels, and it is now time to get it built. 'I can say that I am determined to continue to work with everybody to ensure that the funding contribution is put on the table so that we can get on with actually building the project.'
