12,774 of 97,616 records that can be analysed have been assessed so far (13.1%); 84,841 are waiting for analysis and 1 failed and will be retried. Totals and rankings will change as the remaining records are processed, so they do not yet represent the full mandate. How much has been processed
Mr Andrew Muir: Assembly records
All of Mr Andrew Muir’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not qualifying, uncertain or not yet analysed.
Part of that is fly-tipping, and we work with councils on that. The other aspect is making sure that people report incidents promptly. We have an awareness-raising campaign to ensure that people report pollution incidents promptly to allow for investigation. The information on that is available on our social media…
We as a Department take a range of actions to look after our rivers, lakes and loughs. There is a four-pillar approach: education, incentivisation, regulation and enforcement. On agricultural pollution, as the Member will be aware, a lot of effort is made on education and incentivisation. The sustainable farming…
I have been consistent in saying that full openness and transparency are the default here, subject to, as you will understand, legal requirements under data protection legislation and the like. I want to ensure that the report is published. I have made it clear that I will share that with the Committee and lay it in…
Thank you, Deborah, for your kind remarks, which I and, I am sure, my departmental officials appreciate. On the issues at Fivemiletown, as you know, I commissioned that independent external review. Dr Blake is continuing that work. We hope to get that work completed and to publish both the report and the departmental…
That is an important issue. As Minister, I have consistently stated that bonfires must be safe, lawful and respectful. With many bonfires operating without the permission of the landowner, they are very likely not lawful. The many safety issues and the depictions intended to perpetrate hate that are placed on some…
The management of annual bonfires is a challenging and complex issue that requires a range of agreed, multi-agency preventative and, where appropriate, enforcement activities. While the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has an enforcement role to play in controlled waste, it does not have a lead role on…
Thank you, Michelle. As I have just outlined, there was a lot of interest in the sustainable farming investment scheme. Our ambition is stunted only by our budget, frankly, and I thank farmers for their interest in the scheme. From 2021 to 2026, my Department paid farmers £40·9 million in capital grants under the farm…
Thank you, Michelle. The sustainable farming investment scheme closed to applications on 3 September. Almost 4,000 businesses from all farming sectors applied. There was strong interest in the scheme. On 8 October, 1,415 letters of offer to the value of just over £15 million were issued. Recipients have 28 days to…
Under the existing policy and legislative framework, my Department is not responsible for providing support to communities affected by coastal erosion. While it is recognised that the Bateman formula is no longer fit for purpose, support cannot be provided by any Department until the introduction of a new policy and…
Thank you, Mike. I did enjoy a previous engagement with that forum. The Northern Ireland coastal forum was established to bring together relevant Departments, councils and other interested parties to seek to develop a more strategic approach to addressing coastal erosion. The key issue is that no Department is…
The independent review of regulations on dog breeding establishments has been published. A public consultation on phase 1 of the proposals for implementation will be launched in the coming months. I will be bringing forward legislation that will ban specific aversive training devices such as electric shock collars. It…
Thank you, Connie. Animal welfare is a priority for me and my Department. We are moving from ambition to delivery, with a substantial package of reforms that will strengthen protections for animals. Legislation that mandates the use of CCTV in slaughterhouses is now in place. I secured Executive approval to bring…
I am happy to do that. You will understand that I cannot talk about specific incidents, but I am happy to meet with you as soon as possible to discuss those concerns. I am aware of the odour concerns and recognise people's worries about the matter.
I do not have that information to hand. An enforcement notice was issued recently for one of the sites, and I will set that out to the Member in writing. The Member will probably be aware that, because of ongoing regulatory action, I am limited in what I can say. However, I want to reassure him and other Members that…
There is, and that is why my Department has been investing in science and research, particularly in relation to the small business research initiative. That science and research is essential, but it is important that we translate it into action. I will set out to the Member in writing the initiatives that we are…
The development of blue-green algal blooms has been a persistent issue since 2024 and is confined to not only Lough Neagh with blooms confirmed in several bodies of water across Northern Ireland. Confirmed reports by my Department this year include Lower Bann, Lough Melvin, Lower Lough Erne, Castlewellan lake,…
I thank the Member for his positive feedback. As he will be aware, schemes have been set up through the sustainable agriculture programme to bring farmers together for peer-to-peer learning and an exchange of knowledge. That is, perhaps, the most effective way for us to be able to build that resilient future for…
Thank you, Sian. The Farming with Nature package is one of the most ambitious agri-environment programmes ever delivered by the Department. I have committed more than £96 million to the package over the next five years, with further investment proposed. This year alone, there were 1,705 applications to the Farming…
The decision to ring-fence the earmarked fund for agriculture, agri-environment, fisheries and rural development for the previous year and future years was a significant achievement. That is not the case when you look at the wider picture in England and Scotland. You asked me about the budgetary position; as you are…
You are leading me to say that I endorse your Bill. I thank you, Declan, for meeting officials in relation to your private Member's Bill. They valued that engagement, and I know that the Committee is continuing its scrutiny of the Bill. As Minister, I would value an opportunity to meet you to discuss the Bill as we,…
My Department’s sustainable agriculture programme (SAP) is delivering approximately £330 million annually in farm support and is being developed in conjunction with the agricultural policy stakeholder group, which includes farming representatives, industry and environmental groups. A key priority is ensuring that all…
I recognise the need for investment in ports, despite inflationary pressures significantly increasing the cost of proposals in the 2021 fishing and seafood development programme. I have met industry representatives to discuss how the fishing and seafood development programme can be progressed to best address their…
I recognise that concerns extend beyond the quota availability to include access to fishing grounds, displacement and operating costs. I remain committed to working with the industry to balance environmental objectives with the long-term viability of our fishing communities. Fisheries management is devolved under the…
As I set out in my response, I met industry representatives in Kilkeel in July and committed to working with them to co-design options to secure the sector's long-term future. It is about setting out a long-term vision and strategy. I get the concerns about the pressures in the fishing industry, and they are raised…
The joint fisheries statement, which was published in 2022, provides the overarching framework for fisheries management across the UK. Its ambition is to deliver world-class, sustainable fisheries management while supporting a profitable fishing industry and a healthy marine environment. I recognise the significant…