AQW 34606/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 04/11/2025
Answered On Date: 14/11/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education (i) to provide a copy of all minutes or notes taken at any ministerial meetings and interactions that took place in Israel in October 2025; and (ii) to confirm the number of civil servants in attendance to take those minutes or notes, as required in the Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021.

Answer:

Pursuant to the Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021, the legislation sets out specific obligations for Ministers regarding transparency, accountability, and the conduct of official business.

These obligations apply only to “relevant meetings,” defined as pre-arranged meetings with third parties to conduct official business. Having reviewed all engagements during the Israel visit and consulted with officials, I am satisfied that none of them meet this definition.