Speeches by Aldridge.

“Going back to the inquest system—”

“Thank you all for your contributions. We really value them. It has definitely enhanced my understanding so much, so I really appreciate it. The ICRIR model was built around conditional immunity for people coming to it with information. With those provisions now deemed incompatible with the ECHR, how do you envisage par…”

“I have a more specific supplementary for Alyson. Should the list of those who can refer cases to ICRIR be widened as part of its reforms and should the commission be able to initiate its own investigations?”

“There is an element of confusion on my part. We are saying that the ICRIR does not have trust—that is what is being said—but then on the other side of it victims are getting older and passing away. We have the ICRIR, which is not working. It will take time, a lot of effort and a whole other process of gaining trust and…”

“The Bill constitutes a significant step towards streamlining and strengthening our technical education and apprenticeship system, and, as someone who worked in the apprenticeships sector in different roles, I am a big fan. So many of us have seen at first hand how apprenticeships transform lives—how they build dignity …”

“Like many colleagues across the House, I am in no doubt that immigration and border security are a top concern for many of the people I represent in Weston-super-Mare. They tell me on the doorstep, by email and on social media that this is not a conversation that we can shy away from, although any conversation on immig…”

“Is there anywhere we can look at what that looks like? Is there a document that explains a bit more about what that course of work looks like, so we can get a sense of what magnitude that is? I am really interested in what that looks like, from a transparency perspective, rather than anything else.”

“That is very helpful. Thank you.”

“Just for my clarity, I think I am aware of the work the Executive have done. It is more about the link between what the Executive have done and the UK Government. What steps are there? Is there anything we can help with?”

“Is there anywhere we can look at what that looks like? Is there a document that explains a bit more about what that course of work looks like, so we can get a sense of what magnitude that is? I am really interested in what that looks like, from a transparency perspective, rather than anything else.”

“That is very helpful. Thank you.”

“Thank you, everybody. We inherited a tragic financial situation and a crisis in public services across the United Kingdom, and really acutely in Northern Ireland, so I understand, and I think we all understand, the operating context within which all of you are having to take these decisions. I do not envy it at all. It…”

“I will ask about the Public Sector Transformation Board, but you spoke earlier about the potential for a—you used the word—tragic divergence, where the rest of the UK, or at least England, follows a route of digital transformation, partnered with the public sector transformation. What steps are you taking to make sure …”

“I think it should be on record that I was not the first person to raise AI. There is a hell of a lot of pressure on the whole UK regarding public sector transformation, but really the pressure is on Northern Ireland to deliver. I suppose that this is to the three of you. Do you think that the money allocated to transfo…”

“What else could we do if it is not really enough money? I get that there are fiscal challenges everywhere. What else can we do, and can this Committee contribute to that?”

“We have covered quite a lot of this question. I would like to ask about what steps the Executive are taking with UK Government to ensure there is no cliff edge in funding from 2026 to 2027.”

“Just for my clarity, I think I am aware of the work the Executive have done. It is more about the link between what the Executive have done and the UK Government. What steps are there? Is there anything we can help with?”

“Thank you, everybody. We inherited a tragic financial situation and a crisis in public services across the United Kingdom, and really acutely in Northern Ireland, so I understand, and I think we all understand, the operating context within which all of you are having to take these decisions. I do not envy it at all. It…”

“I will ask about the Public Sector Transformation Board, but you spoke earlier about the potential for a—you used the word—tragic divergence, where the rest of the UK, or at least England, follows a route of digital transformation, partnered with the public sector transformation. What steps are you taking to make sure …”

“I think it should be on record that I was not the first person to raise AI. There is a hell of a lot of pressure on the whole UK regarding public sector transformation, but really the pressure is on Northern Ireland to deliver. I suppose that this is to the three of you. Do you think that the money allocated to transfo…”