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.
Northern Ireland Water initiated work with the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in May 2024. Samples were collected from over 20 stations covering the marine environment and the catchment. There were approximately 15 sampling points along the Cotton river. Northern Ireland Water agents also found a number of…
We have progressed or are progressing three Bills. The Agriculture Bill is now in law as the Agriculture Act, and the Dilapidation Bill is progressing. The fisheries and water environment Bill will strengthen regulation and enforcement around water pollution. It is out for consultation, so, if you have any views,…
As a Minister, and also as a representative for North Down, I am very worried about the state of Belfast lough and where we are heading. That is why I am losing patience over the need to take difficult decisions on investment and waste water infrastructure. We cannot dodge tough decisions in this place. I am prepared…
I recognise the critical importance of safeguarding water quality in Belfast lough and affirm my strong commitment to implementing comprehensive measures to improve water quality in Northern Ireland's water bodies. My Department's corporate plan 2025-27 contains a specific pledge to deliver an improvement in water…
Yes. We need to show people in Northern Ireland that this can be a place for good. Far too often, and even from the start of today's business, there has been negativity. We can scrutinise and examine, but we also need to show people a bit of hope. This legislation will allow councils to have the powers to intervene,…
We will take into account the feedback that has been received, particularly by the Committee as a result of its call for evidence. I have been looking at some that has come back. Councils have it coming onto their agendas, so I look at their reports. I have also looked at the RaISe report that the Committee…
Thank you, Declan. My officials have liaised with councils throughout the policy consultation process. Since the restoration of the Assembly, several councils have contacted my Department asking for updates on the Bill. My officials have also contacted the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) on the…
Thank you, Justin, for your question. I take a more positive approach to life when it comes to this. The legislation will give councils the power to act, and it will be up to them to decide. There are many examples of where the power will allow councils to take action and say to the owner of the building, "You fix it,…
Whilst the Bill does not specifically contain such guarantees, the provision of robust and effective measures to ensure that the appropriate person or organisation pays for the necessary remedial actions is key to minimising cost to the public purse. Councils will not be expected to take remedial action in every case.…
We will continue to work through that. The announcement was significant and something that I was keen to achieve. We now have to work together, North and South and with stakeholders, on where that will be. It is likely to be in a border area because it is a Shared Island initiative. It is a good example of where we…
I have been consistent, unlike many others in the Chamber, in respecting science and evidence. We will follow a process; we will do this right. We will consult on the wildlife interventions, and we will take decisions on the way forward. We have to learn lessons from how we did it previously, and we have to respect…
There is no primary or secondary legislation in operation that explicitly provides for the culling of badgers in Northern Ireland. Following the judicial review decision, there is no departmental policy in place on wildlife intervention. I assure you that I will proceed with a consultation on potential wildlife…
I have spoken to Minister Martin Heydon on the issue, as I did to his predecessor, Charlie McConalogue. It is a key topic in the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) work plan, and I look forward to having continued engagement. I note with interest the publication of the robust new TB action plan from the Department…
We are under obligation to work towards eradication, and I am keen to do that, but it will take time. Fundamentally, as I said, it is based on the three pillars of people, cattle and wildlife, and that is what we are investing in. It is important that we take forward those actions. My Department bid for some of the…
I fully understand the challenges that bTB presents for farm families in Northern Ireland. It creates mental anguish, but there is a cost associated with it as well. Although the Department is upholding the 100% rate of compensation, I understand that that does not reflect the whole associated cost loss. I will…
Since becoming Minister, I have been clear that we must do more to reverse the increase in bovine TB in Northern Ireland. In January, in response to a recommendation from the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), I established a TB partnership steering group — a new body that is made up of farming, industry, veterinary and…
Councils often manage areas where people bathe. That is why we have a partnership arrangement with them for water quality, testing and all the rest of it. It is therefore important that people engage with their council. Some areas, such as Crawfordsburn Country Park, sit under the Northern Ireland Environment Agency…
My role as Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs includes regulation and enforcement. I have made it clear how I want to strengthen the sewage pollution situation. I want to end Northern Ireland Water largely getting a bye ball, if that is due to historic underinvestment. The issue is that we need to…
Thank you very much, Stewart. Waste water pollution is of significant concern to me. I have responsibility for regulation for and enforcement on pollution. I am on record and will say again that it is unacceptable that a separate arrangement is in place for Northern Ireland Water whereby, since 2007, it has, in many…
Thank you, Cheryl. I understand that there were lots of nominations during the previous review. As an MLA for North Down, I nominated areas, as did many other Members. The new review that is coming up will be an opportunity for us to take forward nominations, but it is crucial that we work in conjunction with councils…
I share the Member's concern about water quality in Belfast lough. I am also aware how popular sea swimming has become, which is why I formally identified seven new bathing water sites on 1 June this year. I have recently committed to a new bathing waters policy review for Northern Ireland, which will commence…
Councils have a key role in that. They play a central role in identifying and prioritising regeneration initiatives. I fully support the empowering of councils to lead that effort. They have been encouraged to take a strategic, place-based approach and to work closely with local communities in order to shape proposals…
We are very conscious of our lead responsibility on rural affairs. I am proud to hold that Ministry and have that lead responsibility. Each Department has a duty to serve rural communities in Northern Ireland. It is a demonstration of how we can collectively come together and ensure that the needs of rural communities…