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Mr Andrew Muir: Assembly records
All of Mr Andrew Muir’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not qualifying, uncertain or not yet analysed.
The deposit return scheme for drinks containers is scheduled to launch in October 2027. Exchange for Change has been appointed as the deposit management organisation across the UK, including Wales. As an independent, not-for-profit private organisation, it will be responsible for the administration and day-to-day…
The policy plays a key role, but it is important that there be a review. I have also expressed my view on the situation. Where some operators are non-compliant, we have focused on bringing them back into compliance, only for them to do it again, after which we focus again on bringing them back into compliance rather…
The Department has taken a range of actions on environmental crime. Additional legislation will be introduced to increase fines and penalties so that we can hold polluters in Northern Ireland to account. There are also measures in the Justice Bill that will deal with issues such as serious and organised crime. I am…
Daniel, I have seen enough to know that there needs to be an independent external review of the matter: that is why I have commissioned it. I get the public concern about it, and I have instructed that any further use of the humane slaughter team must be authorised by the Chief Veterinary Officer in advance of any…
That is precisely why I have commissioned an independent external review on that matter. If there was wrongdoing or if mistakes were made, it is important that that is identified and published and that lessons are learnt. I am clear that there should be openness and transparency on it. I will not pre-empt the outcome…
Thank you, Patsy. A range of monitoring takes place on the lough. There is a dashboard available so that people can see that, and it is important that people have access to that information. Fundamentally, however, we need to address the pollution. That is why we have gone out to consult on a revised nutrients action…
We all, including you, have a responsibility to encourage anyone who has any information associated with that crime to report it so that we can bring the offenders to justice, because it is wrong and deplorable. I have asked officials to consider what more we can do to have a coordinated response to that, and they are…
Thank you, David. Last month, I requested and had a meeting with the Earl of Shaftesbury to discuss the ownership of the bed and soil of Lough Neagh. The option for the transfer of the bed and soil, without charge, to public ownership was discussed. Community ownership was noted as presenting significant challenges,…
Of the 37 actions in the plan, 23 have been delivered, and 14 are actively progressing. I remain committed to driving forward the delivery of the remaining actions at pace. Progress to date reflects coordinated efforts across key themes, including scientific research; enhanced monitoring and enforcement; education and…
That is my desire. The first meeting of the group is on Wednesday. Thus far, the council has not nominated anyone. Hopefully, it will do that before Wednesday, because we have to do this together. It has to be a collective effort. I am happy to lead it, but other parts of government, including local government, have a…
Thank you, Diane. The whole principle is about taking a bottom-up approach. We have the Forever Mournes partnership, and this is an opportunity for it to escalate things for resolution. The Forever Mournes partnership will be at the heart of this. It has done good work, but what was really required was a forum for it…
The implementation of environmental plans and strategies, such as the environmental improvement plan, the peatland strategy and the draft nature recovery strategy, will all benefit the Mournes. Initiatives to implement the wildfires Northern Ireland strategic action plan will support habitat restoration alongside the…
I decided to establish the Northern Ireland Government Mournes strategic group to provide a platform for Departments and local government to work collectively to provide strategic leadership and advice on strategic issues impacting on the delivery of a sustainable future for the Mournes. Through the establishment of…
Thank you, Nuala. A working group consisting of representatives from a range of equine organisations in Northern Ireland, Ireland and Great Britain, chaired by Dr Jan Melia, was established to review the recommendations from the Katie Simpson review in relation to safeguarding in the equine industry. The first meeting…
I am interested in getting more detail on that. I am conscious that councils have a responsibility in a number of areas, but if you give me the details of that case, I can follow it up and, if necessary, engage with the council.
There is an interoperability as part of this. Further discussions are occurring with the Irish Government on how we can strengthen the future of equine skills at our College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) campus in Enniskillen. I am taking that forward with the Irish Government, with the potential…
Thank you, Doug. That report came about as a result of an RTÉ documentary, which was a really grim watch. On enforcement action, the Department currently has enforcement powers under the Equine Identification Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019, as amended, with various passporting offences. A person guilty of an…
The current legislation requires all equines under a person’s responsibility to be correctly identified, which includes holding a single lifetime identification document or, as it is commonly known, an equine passport. For equines born on or after 1 July 2009, that includes being microchipped. Owners and operators…
My officials continue to engage with and update the Northern Ireland farming industry through various communication channels, including the DAERA web page, social media pages and press releases when appropriate. Farmers in Northern Ireland should continue to operate in accordance with existing guidance, which is…
The Member will be aware of the arrangements that are in place, particularly in relation to compensation. The issue in focus at the moment is about making sure that we are dealing with the same strain that we dealt with previously. There are arrangements in place for that, and that is why there will be no immediate…
I encourage all livestock keepers to consult their private veterinary practitioner for advice on vaccinating their livestock against the threat of BTV-3. That is not compulsory; it is optional, and vaccines are available at the moment. We will continue to monitor the availability of vaccines. It is up to every…
To date, in this season, no cases of bluetongue have been detected in Northern Ireland. Any reported suspect cases here have been ruled out following testing. I am aware that, on Friday 4 September, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirmed that, on post-mortem examination, an unvaccinated…
Mr Gaston, I will be going nowhere. All that you bring to this Chamber is division and hate. I will take no lessons from you on animal welfare, because you voted against the Bill from the Alliance Member to stop foxes being ripped apart by dogs. You are an absolute hypocrite.
Justin, I continue to go out and engage. That is what I will do. There is an open door, and I believe in engaging on the issue. People have questions, and they deserve answers. That is why I commissioned the independent external review. It is important that there is full transparency and that the findings and…
I will not seek to restrain what Dr Blake does. He is doing good work. I encourage anyone who has any relevant information to share it with him. It is important that they do that so that it can inform his review. The only redactions that will take place will be those required under the law. As you are aware, there…