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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.