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.
I am keen to keep the scheme. When I was at primary school, I was one of the people involved in selling the milk, so I have a background in this. It provides great nutritional value for young people. I want to consider the survey responses so that we can find better ways to promote and increase uptake. Whilst we are…
A total of 121 schools and 1,701 parents or guardians responded to the survey, which closed on 10 January this year. Responses are being analysed, and a report will be finalised in the coming weeks. The information that was generated from the survey, together with engagement with key stakeholders, will form part of an…
My Department cooperates with counterparts in Ireland to improve water quality through the North/South Ministerial Council's areas of cooperation, such as the environment, and the Loughs Agency, as an implementation body. The Loughs Agency is collaborating with East Border Region and Inland Fisheries Ireland, and, in…
It is important that they are laid on time. Having these institutions back is important, as there was a lot of catching up to do as a result of previous periods when the Assembly was not sitting. I am engaging with the Loughs Agency on the issue as it is important to ensure that we keep to a proper procedure.
I strongly believe in the value of the Loughs Agency and cross-border working. I have responded in detail to the questions for written answer that the Member has tabled to me. The Member raised the issue of prosecutions. The agency has a statutory duty to protect the fisheries in the Foyle and Carlingford areas.…
The Loughs Agency has a clear statutory remit and delivers a necessary public function on a cross-border basis. The performance of the agency is evaluated in line with the agreed framework document, and a review of its performance is published in the Loughs Agency's annual report and accounts. On the issue of value…
We are doing all we can. I hear Mr Buckley chuntering from a sedentary position. The situation in the countryside is really serious. The impact on Fire and Rescue Service personnel and resources is significant. I will be clear: the situation that is unfolding is really quite concerning. I say to people that it is…
I do not want to get involved in any particular blame game. The only way that we can go forward and know the exact cause of this is when we get people in front of a court. Regardless of who is responsible for this, if anyone knows any information, they should lift the phone and ring the police or Crimestoppers. For…
Finances are always a challenge for my Department. The Fiscal Council set that out with regard to the budgetary settlement for my Department. I say one thing about this: we are facing a very serious situation. I worry that, if these fires do not stop, lives will be lost. There is a tendency in this place to divert to…
Thank you, Diane. Yesterday and today, I spoke to the Health Minister, who has overall responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Service, and we will remain in close liaison. I will take the points that you raised to Mike, the Health Minister. All of us in the Chamber and in society have a role to play in this matter. If…
First, I offer my sympathy to all those who have been affected by the terrible fires over the past few days and pay tribute and express thanks to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) for all the work that it is doing to keep people safe. Tackling and preventing wildfires requires close working by the…
On a point of order, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Every time I come to Question Time, it starts on time, and I am prepared for it. One thing that is becoming quite regular, however, and has occurred at a number of Question Times is that when I respond to Mr Buckley, he seeks to shout me down. I would like to get a…
We will do the consultation, evaluate the responses and consider the way forward. I am very conscious that a potentially significant cost is associated with the remediation. That will be a resource cost, so I will work with the Finance Minister on that because he is a decent kind of guy. That will allow us to progress…
Thank you very much, Gary. That is an important issue. We plan to consult on the remediation strategy for the Mobuoy site this spring, and it is key to do so. I am aware that phase 2 of the A6 dual carriageway project will encroach on the Mobuoy site. I declare an interest as my stepfather was a quality manager for…
I have set out a clear vision and 10 key pledges in the corporate plan. One of my concerns is about my Department's budgetary position. The Fiscal Council's report on the draft Budget for the next financial year laid bare the reality for my Department in tables 4.2 and 4.8: it has suffered the biggest cut of any…
I was delighted to launch the new corporate plan, which takes us up to the end of the mandate. The corporate plan was published on 13 March, and it is built around my eight key priorities and underpinned by 10 pledges. The corporate plan makes it clear that many of our goals are inextricably linked to delivering…
I met the banks at the end of last year to discuss how they can support agriculture in Northern Ireland. That has turned into an ongoing engagement, not just with the four main banks but with HSBC and others, so that, collectively, we can support farmers in Northern Ireland.
As I outlined previously, the sustainable agriculture programme is a key part of that. We have secured ring-fenced funding in the draft Budget to allow us to roll out the sustainable agriculture programme, which offers something for every farmer in Northern Ireland, particularly dairy farmers. At the end of last year,…
Yes, I will continue to work with the council. My Department will do that. One lesson that has to be learnt from the storm concerns the real impact that it has had on our forestry estate and what we can do in response. Forest Service plans to plant native trees predominantly in areas where a previous forest crop has…
Thank you, Connie. Cairn Wood is one of the many forest areas that suffered significant damage during the recent storm, resulting in restrictions on pedestrian and vehicle access for public safety reasons. That caused access to be restricted to the forest track, walking trails and car park at Cairn Wood. Ards and…
That is obviously a theme in Question Time today. I am delighted to see that interest in Farming with Nature, environmental farming schemes and the support that we can give. My Department will launch the Farming with Nature transition scheme very soon, which will continue the roll-out of the package. As Minister, I…
The Climate Change Committee has issued advice on our fourth carbon budget and, most recently, on the UK-wide road to net zero. One of the key elements of that advice is on the benefits of decarbonisation of our energy systems, particularly electricity. There is a cost to doing that, but there are significant…
That is set out in the farm safety plan that the Department launched last year. It is really important, and I will send you a copy. There is stuff in the plan that concerns what you are asking about, but there is also the wider issue of messaging, in which we can all share. Collectively, we all have a role to play in…
Thank you, Maolíosa. My heart goes out to the family. When I heard about that accident in recent days, given the consequences, it reminded me of the dangers of being a farmer in Northern Ireland. I send my thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Mr Logue and to the community circle that supports people at…
I am happy to take representations. I was looking to introduce a sheep support scheme, but, as a result of resource constraints in my Department, we had to put it on the back burner. We are trying to roll out Farming with Nature as a result of representations from Patsy, and people want us to proceed with that support…