FoI 31-25: Information in regards to polling data referenced by SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin during a Green Energy Transition debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday 24 March 2025

Information Standards Freedom of Information Response

2 April 2025

Our Ref: FoI 31-25

Freedom of Information Act 2000

I am writing to confirm that the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (Assembly Commission) has processed your request dated 27 March 2025 in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). In your request, you asked that the Assembly Commission provide-

'I am requesting information regarding polling data referenced by SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin during a Green Energy Transition debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday, 24 March 2025, concerning the SDLP motion on renewable energy and planning reform.

During her contribution, Ms McLaughlin cited the following figures:

    • "Only 5% of those who were polled in Derry oppose the 80% renewables target."
    • "72% believe their council is not doing enough to promote renewables."

These remarks were also reported in Derry Now in the article titled "Foyle MLA warns Northern Ireland must not fall behind on Net Zero".

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I am requesting:

    1. The source and commissioning organisation for this poll.
    2. The organisation or polling firm that carried out the fieldwork.
    3. A copy or summary of the poll questions, methodology, sample size, and key results.
    4. Any briefing material, internal memos, or correspondence prepared in connection with this data, including documents provided to Ms. McLaughlin or any other MLA.

If the source of this data is held by the SDLP or the Assembly's Research and Information Service (RaISe), please advise accordingly.'

 

Our response

The Assembly Commission does not hold this information. It may be held by Ms. McLaughlin MLA.

 

Further Information

You have the right to request an internal review of this decision by the Assembly Commission. If you wish to request such a review, please write to me at the above address. If, after that review, you are dissatisfied with the way in which the Assembly Commission has handled your request for information, you may complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Your request for information and our response may be published in the disclosure log maintained by the Assembly Commission under a publication scheme agreed with the ICO. The request and our response will be anonymised.

Yours faithfully

INFORMATION STANDARDS