Speaker rules Archibald Israel statement should be referred to Executive

Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots has ruled that a decision by Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald not to provide financial assistance to any companies arming Israel is of public importance and should be referred to the Executive.

Mr Poots said he has now written to First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly on the matter.

Last month Sinn Fein minister Ms Archibald made a written statement to the Assembly after commissioning a review to establish if businesses in receipt of Invest NI grant funding had links to Israeli arms.

The minister announced a series of measures she said would “eliminate any risk of public funds being used to support the manufacture of arms or components that are used for genocide”.

The steps included a commitment that her department “will not engage in the British Government’s trade talks with Israel while it continues to illegally occupy and impose apartheid on Palestine”.

The DUP then launched a move in the Assembly to have the matter referred to the wider Stormont Executive for discussion.

In a letter sent to MLAs on Monday, Mr Poots said a petition had been signed by 31 MLAs.

He said the petition required him to consult with parties in the Assembly and decide whether the minister’s decision was of public interest “in which case it is required to be referred to the Executive”.

He said he had given the matter “detailed consideration”.

Mr Poots added: “In doing so, I have reviewed the background to this matter and the responses from the parties.

“I have also considered the frequency with which members have raised matters regarding relations with Israel in the Assembly.

“Finally, I have also taken legal advice.

“Having taken account of all of these different elements, I have concluded that the only credible position for me to take is that the minister’s decision did relate to a matter of public importance.

“I have therefore written to the First Minister and deputy First Minister today to refer this matter to the Executive.”

The Speaker said the next steps are now for the Executive.