Ministers must outline planning and preparation for managing AI in Northern Ireland, says @katenicholl.bsky.social .

See more here: www.allianceparty.org/minist...

Good to hear the Minister for Education confirm continuation of the 15% childcare subsidy is included in the draft budget. Childcare is key economic & social infrastructure - so important we continue to invest in it accordingly.

Alliance proposals here: allianceparty.org/childrenfirst

Research from Carers NI shows it would make a huge impact to carers to introduce paid carers leave - and that it also makes economic sense. This is something I’ve been campaigning for. Useful update from the Minister that research commissioned is expected in spring next year 🤞

Yesterday I spoke to a Belfast based Palestinian man I’ve been working with who has been trying to get family members to safety for 14 months. His family have been evacuated 9 times. The day before yesterday 21 family members burned alive when bombs dropped on their tents.

The 16 Days of Activism (which started yesterday) is an opportunity to revitalise commitments to end VAWG & call for accountability & action from decision-makers. Proud to show my support with the beautiful hand-made Soroptomist’s banner hanging in my constituency office window 🤍

I’ve long been a big supporter of Positive Life (they were one of my Mayoral charities) & all the work they do to support people living with & affected by HIV - very happy to assist with postal duties today to make sure every MLA has their red ribbon ahead of world AIDS Day on the 1st December ❤️

Perpetrated by a bitter few, but the impact is significant - it’s felt by every person from a minority ethnic background. Thoughts with the victims & hope that those who did this are caught soon.

www.irishnews.com/news/norther...

Brilliant to see someone who came through the apprenticeship route leading NUS-USI! Really useful conversation with Ben Friel about housing, FE funding and student budget. Looking forward to championing student voice on the Economy committee 📢

The ICC legal rationale for issuing arrest warrants is set out here:

www.icc-cpi.int/news/situati...

A CarersNI report says introducing a right to paid carer’s leave & flexible working could generate an extra £103-198 million in tax receipts & benefit expenditure could fall by £40-86 million annually. Supporting & valuing carers really is a win-win policy⤵️

www.allianceparty.org/economy_mini...

Had an Economy focused day! Great to get an update on the Belfast Region City Deal (which I signed when I was Lord Mayor) & catchup with the current one @micky-murray.bsky.social! & among other meetings, a productive Economy Committee discussing 2 of my favourite things- tourism & apprenticeships!💛

A wonderful man gone too soon 💔

Lovely to mark 100 years of the BBC in Stormont. An institution I’ve always respected (the World Service was the soundtrack to my childhood) & given its role in creating drama, discussion & information, should be protected. Worth the license fee for David Attenborough alone 🥰

If we are serious about tackling violence against women and girls, then we need to raise the bar regarding interactions between Ministers and MLAs.

Aggressive interaction between men in power and female MLAs is part of a continuum of unacceptable behaviour.

It starts with us. #EVAWG

📚 Bring the magic of reading to children this Christmas 📚

I’m a big fan of the BookTrust and they have a wonderful campaign this Christmas where a donation from you could mean a child finally has a book to call their own. More info below ⬇️

www.booktrust.org.uk/support-us/m...

Disgusted that the Minister of Communities shouted at me twice to sit down as I was making a legitimate point of order regarding childcare funding. Aggressive, arrogant and have to say - doubt it would have happened if I was a man.

Announcement on the glider promised in the next few weeks! A feasibility study has been undertaken to see if it will extend to Carryduff - fingers crossed! 🤞

Not moving from the chamber today! Speaking on the future EU relationship (& will raise importance of a veterinary & SPS agreement + an ETA exemption for tourism) & will also contribute to debate on Belfast City Centre dereliction later. Hope to ask a Q on the Glider to Infrastructure Minister too 🤞

Really lovely coming across followers I used to engage with regularly when I first started out on the other place! For a while now I’ve just posted & then got out to avoid the toxicity, but have genuinely missed the civilised debate & conversation which often helped form my views.