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 range of new enforcement powers became available to councils on 2 January 2023 under the Waste and Contaminated Land (Amendment) Act 2011. Those powers relate to articles in the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, including article 4 concerning a prohibition on unauthorised or harmful deposit,…
That is a key issue, which is why I continue to seek a meeting with my ministerial counterpart in the South, who took up office in January. It is important that we engage on the issue. We need to take an all-Ireland approach to dealing with the issue of waste crime and fly-tipping. I am very keen to have that…
I respect the autonomy of district councils. There are good opportunities to collaborate in those areas, which is why my officials engage with councils on those issues. We want to reach the ambition of the recycling targets that are set out in the climate change legislation. That requires us to work together, which we…
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) provides support to councils through the operation of the fly-tipping protocol. Under the protocol, NIEA assists councils by dealing with incidents of illegal waste dumping above 20 cubic metres, which is about the size of a bin lorry, and incidents involving hazardous…
I will continue to answer the question. The impact on my Department is that a substantial number of staff are implementing the Windsor framework. It is important that we do that; we should be able to understand the implications of not upholding international agreements. I will write to the Member with a bit more…
I am aware of the Office for Budget Responsibility's projections and forecasts for the impact of Brexit on the UK economy. Frankly, the UK economy has flatlined as a result of Brexit.
Thank you, Principal Deputy Speaker. It is a bit of a trend for Mr Buckley to shout down other people in the Chamber. I am seeking to answer questions on the issue. I look to build relationships with people whom you can trust, and, frankly, Mr Buckley's party has a history of building relationships with people whom…
I believe in the full, faithful and timely implementation of the Windsor framework, because I believe in upholding our legal obligations. That is important, and it is part of the ministerial code. Let us be clear: Brexit, as has been proven by the Office for Budget Responsibility, has been a really bad idea for the UK…
Thank you, Eóin. That is an important issue. I have had significant engagement with the UK Government on the potential for an SPS veterinary agreement. That significant engagement has included speaking with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the DEFRA Secretary of State, DEFRA Ministers and Nick…
I cannot be held responsible for what another Minister says in another place, but I can be held responsible for the actions that I am taking in Northern Ireland, namely engaging on this with the industry, with UK Ministers and with my counterparts in the South. Control zones have been established in Hungary and…
Under the Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024, the import of live animals into Northern Ireland is under the direction and control of the DEFRA Secretary of State.
Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank the Members for tabling the motion. I am happy to support the motion and the amendment. The debate comes just after we all marked International Women's Day on Saturday. I pay tribute to the women who, every day, make a difference in the Chamber, our constituencies, my…
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to make a statement to the Assembly on the recent confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Hungary. I also intend to use the statement to highlight recent developments and ongoing departmental actions with regards to the highly pathogenic avian influenza…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. When answering a question last week during Question Time in relation to the management of poultry litter, I referred to Northern Ireland Water when I meant to refer to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. I just want to correct the record. Thank you.
Yes. I get excited about that, and I am conscious that we are coming towards 2.45 pm. There is real potential in that, but we have to make sure that there are proper regulations associated with it. Officials are engaging intensively with the Department for the Economy on that. That has real potential to allow us to…
That largely sits within the Department for the Economy, but we have a role to play in marine licensing. We have been doing some work there on the fees so that we have full cost recovery to ensure that there is resourcing around that. We have a potential role to play in the Forest Service estate, and we will progress…
An established process is in place for declaring interests. They are kept on a register, and it is important that that occurs. If the Member has a concern that guidance has not been followed, I am happy to consider correspondence in relation to that. I am proud of the work that my officials do. I have confidence in…
That is set out in Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) HR policy. If the Member has concerns, I am happy for him to write to me, and I can consider them. However, that is the established process in all Departments.
Thank you, David. On taking up office as Minister, I inherited a number of significant challenges, ammonia being one of them. The recent Office for Environmental Protection report sets out clearly the issues, challenges and legal requirements. I encourage everyone to read it. Being conscious of the significance of the…
Thank you, David, for your question. Whilst it is not something that we can see, for example, in relation to water quality, ammonia is a key issue. Action on ammonia is required to support local farm businesses whilst protecting our environment and meeting our legislative requirements. We must put Northern Ireland…
I will be delighted to visit Mount Stewart with you and to engage with the National Trust on the impact of the storm. As has been reported to the general public, approximately 10,000 trees were lost in Mount Stewart as a result of the storm. That is a concern for so many people in the Strangford constituency and…
Thank you for your question, Kellie. That issue has been raised often in recent weeks. Many of my Department's forests suffered significant damage as a result of the storm, and its impacts were widespread across the estate. The forests that have been particularly affected include Drum Manor, Gosford, Tardree, Mount…
I had constructive meetings with the Earl of Shaftesbury on 21 February and 17 July last year, when we discussed a range of issues in connection with Lough Neagh, including ownership and the earl's recent comments that he would like to transfer his estate's ownership of Lough Neagh into community ownership. While the…