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.
Mr Deputy Speaker, can you clarify what the next statement is, because there is aquaculture and agriculture? With your permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, in compliance with section 52 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, I wish to make a statement about the thirty-second meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC)…
No problem, Linda. I was in County Monaghan last year, when we had a North/South conference around water quality in respect of agriculture and the good work that is being done down South and up North. We have a sustainable catchment programme in Northern Ireland through which the Rivers Trust, which I met, delivers…
I confirm that Lough Neagh was discussed at the North/South Ministerial Council environment sectoral meeting, because it is a shared challenge, given that the catchment area covers North and South. A lot of good work is being done North and South, but we need to do more. Discussions are ongoing about the potential for…
I will make a statement, in compliance with section 52 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, on the twenty-fifth North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) environment sectoral meeting, which was held in the Loughs Agency's offices in Carlingford on 4 July of this year. The Northern Ireland Executive were represented at the…
I thank the Chair for his intervention. I cannot give him an assurance that that will be resolved, but I can assure him that I will write to the UK Government to outline the concerns that he expressed. I thank Patsy McGlone for his contribution. We should emphasise the importance of the welfare of companion animals in…
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I will be brief in my summary. I am very grateful for the contributions that were made in the Chamber and for the scrutiny that the Committee provided in advance of the debate. The Chairperson of the Committee asked what further steps I will take to address divergence. I am in regular…
I beg to move I am grateful for the opportunity to speak about the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, which is progressing through Parliament. Before I do so, I acknowledge that the Assembly's Standing Orders state that: "A legislative consent motion shall not normally be moved until at least— (a)…
I agree. The legislation will have teeth, and we need to make sure that the councils apply it so that there is a deterrent effect when it comes to people allowing buildings to get into a dilapidated state. There is localism in Northern Ireland, in that district councils can decide what way they are going forward on…
I am grateful to everyone in the Chamber who contributed to the debate. It is what the Assembly is about: scrutinising and passing legislation. I will seek to respond to the points that were made. A variety of issues were raised, and I will try my best to deal with them. At the outset, I declare that I am a member of…
I beg to move First, I thank my Executive colleagues for their support for the Bill. I look forward to working with Members across the Chamber to take the Bill forward, particularly with members of the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, which is ably chaired by Robbie Butler. I say with some…
Thank you, Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank the Committee Chair and members for their contributions in the debate. I want to say to John that he has been in our thoughts and prayers, following the passing of his dad. John, you spoke very courageously at the funeral, and I am so proud of you. We are thinking of you…
I beg to move I am pleased that the Bill, which will provide for changes to two legacy EU support schemes, namely the fruit and vegetables aid scheme (FVAS) and the agri-food information and promotions scheme, has reached its Final Stage. Before I speak to the Bill, I thank the Chairperson and members of the…
The killing of birds of prey, whether deliberately or through the improper use of pesticides or other poisons, is deplorable. It is a crime, and it diminishes our biodiversity. I met the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group, the RSPB and Ulster Wildlife last week to discuss the issue. I recognise the need to address…
I agree. The judgement sets it out that section 52 does not prevent a major infrastructure project that is a source of significant greenhouse gas emissions from being devised, promoted, constructed and put into operation by DFI or any other Northern Ireland Department with responsibility for such activities. However,…
I met the Infrastructure Minister last Tuesday. I also wrote to her at the end of last week about the issue. The issue was also raised in the Chamber with regard to farmers who have been affected as a result of the vesting of land. My officials will continue to work with the Department for Infrastructure, and I will…
The Lough Neagh report and action plan sets out a range of actions that we plan to take or have already taken. That applies not just to Lough Neagh but to other waterbodies. The river basin management plan has also been agreed and sets out further actions. Fundamentally, it comes down to simple but difficult…
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency confirmed the presence of blue-green algae at Hillsborough Lake on 17 June, highlighting yet again that it is not just a challenge in Lough Neagh. It is no surprise, unfortunately, that the algae have reappeared in waterways this year, given the weather conditions, and I expect…
I have considered that. I have seen the feedback on the draft proposals in the current consultation for 100% LESSE by 2030. I hear those concerns. I want to engage and find a way forward. I am open-minded, because it is a consultation. I have set out a genuine path ahead, and I just hope that people can come with me…
The consultation has received nearly 200 responses. I get farmers' concerns about the nutrients action programme consultation. The proposals are complex, and the documentation goes to over 1,000 pages. I am listening to those concerns. That is why, as I have outlined today, once the consultation closes in the next few…
The Department engages primarily on how we support forest parks through providing advice or financial support. Forest parks play a vital role in Northern Ireland. They are important for recreation but also for the environment. I am keen to support that. If the Member wishes me to visit a particular park, I am happy to…
Yes, I am actively considering that. There was a meeting with stakeholders on Friday, and I have asked officials for an urgent update on the outcome of that meeting. I will take a decision in the very near future.
I am very conscious of the concerns around bluetongue, particularly the decision that movement restrictions will no longer apply in England, which will take effect from 1 July. That has caused me concern. My Department recently published a framework for our response to bluetongue. We are engaging with stakeholders on…
There are many examples of good work being done on that. We want to redouble our efforts as part of the peatland strategy, so that we can rewet peatlands. That will also address a lot of the issues that have been outlined on fires in our countryside. A lot of environmental and non-governmental organisations are…