All of Mr Andrew Muir’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
A lot of figures have been quoted in relation to suckler cow numbers. Will the Member acknowledge that there has also been an increase in dairy production in Northern Ireland and that we need to take that into account in the wider picture?
Will the Member acknowledge the fiscal position that we are in? I have to sincerely outline that to the Department. We have set out the support that we are providing to farmers in SDAs, but we have to be realistic and make sure that we do not pledge to do something that, fiscally, we cannot deliver.
We are considering a private Member's Bill. There are no environmental improvement conditions associated with the Bill, which is a matter of great concern for me, and that is what we are responding to now. We are also responding to the fiscal position that we are all acutely aware of. We are all conscious of the need…
I will just finish. For example, we are seeking to bring in support for the sheep sector as well. There is also the issue of the financial situation that we are in, which the Finance Minister is acutely aware of, and that, if there were to be any additional Barnett consequentials, it is likely that they would have to…
I will try to respond to some of that. It is outside the scope of what we are discussing, but I do believe in private Member's Bills. They have a significant role to play. However, I also have to outline my views sincerely, as Minister, on this Bill with regard to the range of support that we are already providing.
I welcome the opportunity to speak to the private Member's Bill. The classification "areas with natural constraints" means land that is designated as being in a severely disadvantaged area, or SDA, in Northern Ireland and was established in the 1970s. Almost half of Northern Ireland's agricultural land — around…
I understand that the farm welfare Bill that the Member referenced is sponsored by Farmers For Action (FFA). Does the Member understand that that would be contrary to the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020?
The Bill sponsor cited easements. We have an overspend this financial year for which we had to get a reserve claim. Those are not exactly easements; they are pressures in-year. We have not managed to balance our books this year. That money has not been set aside for future years as new money. Will the Member…
Does the Member understand that, if a complaint is received by the Department, it needs to be properly investigated? If we did not investigate it, many in the House would say that we had failed in our duty.
I welcome the Earl of Shaftesbury's support for an independent environmental protection agency. I also welcome his willingness to transfer the bed and soil of Lough Neagh to community ownership without charge. The conditions associated with that will need to be clarified; I have heard a lot about what those could be,…
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I welcome today's debate, and I commend my colleagues for tabling tonight's motion. The Assembly faces a defining decision about the kind of leadership that we choose to show in Northern Ireland. Are we an institution that believes in the stewardship of our environment, or do we shirk our…
Sorry: you said about giving money to Northern Ireland Infrastructure. I do not know that body, but perhaps you would clarify that. On your issues with regard to AFBI, I am aware of concerns raised through an MLA about AFBI in November 2024. It did not relate to animal health or to —
Does the Member accept that there is a massive contradiction in his point? His own Education Minister is seeking to set up an arm's-length body for controlled schools, yet he is arguing against the creation of an arm's-length body because he says that he does not believe in having any more.