Speeches by Hanna.

“Could you outline how equalising the titles could injure any one community? You have not done that, and I would just like you to answer the question that I asked.”

“I suppose that the most high-profile use of a petition, which will resonate most with people, was on the issue of equal marriage for people from the LGBT community. Consensus was demonstrated, but it was not to the taste of the DUP, and it was repeatedly blocked. I think that is how people understand the use of that me…”

“Had your party sought to reach a compromise proposal, for example, through amendment? Can you give examples of where the DUP has not sought to use its veto on an issue it disagrees with? I suppose there is a perception that the DUP will not allow anything to go forward that it does not approve.”

“I appreciate that there are things that you would like to say, but I have asked you a specific question, which you are refusing to answer.”

“And the TUV, who have not been known to be soft in terms of the interests of the Union.”

“There isn’t an answer.”

“There isn’t an answer.”

“I appreciate that there are things that you would like to say, but I have asked you a specific question, which you are refusing to answer.”

“Your party and you sitting there today have talked about how your party has championed reform—”

“You referenced the Assembly and Executive Review Committee. Do you think that is a serious piece of work? Do you think all those around the table are seriously interested and determined to make progress and have this issue resolved in the lifetime of the current Assembly?”

“On that point, I know the SDLP hosted a roundtable with civil society organisations, being clear that most of the asks they would bring to parties for their manifestos would likely not be delivered because of Stormont failures. We are ready for a process convened by the Governments, but if that does not happen, would y…”

“I did not correct myself. Listen, you can dance on the head of a pin if you want, and you can run the clock down—I accept that you are not interested. As others have said, you opposed the Good Friday agreement and now you are opposing any changes to it, except the ones you have said. If there is to be a process—you do …”

“I know that we are not in normal politics, and Stormont is not a normal Parliament, but people will say that we disagree across this House all the time on issues. I do not know whether you tried any alternative amendments or tried to express your views and your party’s views in the form of an amendment, but do you unde…”

“Jon, this week you signed a petition of concern on the age of criminal responsibility. You and others are absolutely entitled to your opinion on that matter, but do you understand that such petitions feed the sense of opposition being expressed only ever as veto? Will you talk about how that interacts with your views o…”

“Your headline proposal is, if an eligible party refuses to nominate for First or Deputy First Minister, to move to the next largest party. I think we share an aspiration to get beyond designation and its salience in the institutions. Would that be to the next largest party in general, and what protections do you envisa…”

“On that point, I know the SDLP hosted a roundtable with civil society organisations, being clear that most of the asks they would bring to parties for their manifestos would likely not be delivered because of Stormont failures. We are ready for a process convened by the Governments, but if that does not happen, would y…”

“You referenced the Assembly and Executive Review Committee. Do you think that is a serious piece of work? Do you think all those around the table are seriously interested and determined to make progress and have this issue resolved in the lifetime of the current Assembly?”

“Jon, this week you signed a petition of concern on the age of criminal responsibility. You and others are absolutely entitled to your opinion on that matter, but do you understand that such petitions feed the sense of opposition being expressed only ever as veto? Will you talk about how that interacts with your views o…”

“Sounds it. I can feel the warmth.”

“I suppose that the most high-profile use of a petition, which will resonate most with people, was on the issue of equal marriage for people from the LGBT community. Consensus was demonstrated, but it was not to the taste of the DUP, and it was repeatedly blocked. I think that is how people understand the use of that me…”