Speeches by Hanna.

“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 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…”

“Thank you very much, Matthew. The Chair has her beady eyes on me and the clock, so I will leave it there.”

“The Secretary of State has said that the Government are “open to conversations about ideas which can command a consensus” on reform. You have said that the SDLP proposals were initially developed to do exactly that where there is obvious common ground or no detriment to any community. How should discussions take place …”

“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.”

“There isn’t an answer.”

“I would like to hear the views of the questions that I have asked you, rather than the questions you would like to answer.”

“I do not think we have heard how the Assembly existing, or synchronising the titles would injure one community. We have heard views on how reform can and cannot progress. You rightly said that your party has championed reform. Matthew O’Toole set out that for years very substantial reforms, including to mandatory coali…”

“You said that your party is pro-reform. I just want to establish—”

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

“Matthew, you have led the Stormont Opposition for two years. Do you have any observations specifically from that process for the functioning of Stormont?”

“We don’t support that Reform.”

“I would like to hear the views of the questions that I have asked you, rather than the questions you would like to answer.”

“We don’t support that Reform.”

“Eóin, you said in response to Robin that the last election was seismic, and it rightly was. Your party doubled its seats. What were its priorities going into the Programme for Government negotiations, and was reform among them?”

“The Secretary of State has said that the Government are “open to conversations about ideas which can command a consensus” on reform. You have said that the SDLP proposals were initially developed to do exactly that where there is obvious common ground or no detriment to any community. How should discussions take place …”

“Thank you very much, Matthew. The Chair has her beady eyes on me and the clock, so I will leave it there.”

“It has been a shocking two days in Northern Ireland. The horrific knife attack in north Belfast has left a man fighting for his life, and an entire community distressed by what they have seen. Justice must of course take its course and deliver for that victim, whose family have asked for calm. Last night brought furthe…”

“(Urgent Question): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make a statement on the violent disorder that took place last night in Belfast.”

“(Urgent Question): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make a statement on the violent disorder that took place last night in Belfast.”