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 thank the Member for his question. I have set the policy direction for the strategy with my officials, and they are now progressing it. Some actions will be the responsibility of other Departments, as I outlined, and I will work with my ministerial colleagues to finalise that important, cross-cutting strategy. It is…
I am very conscious of the figure that the Member has quoted, because those are individual lives that are being lost as a result of poor air quality in Northern Ireland. I will do whatever I can in my power, whether that be through the environmental improvement plan or the future air quality strategy for Northern…
I am aware of the issues, and I am happy to respond to them. I must say that there are resource pressures in my Department around the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and, more generally, in environmental protection. That is something that I will seek to address in the Budget next year. We need to support our…
The environmental improvement plan was published on 27 September this year, and it is, therefore, too early to identify improvements in air quality when compared with targets and actions included in the plan. However, the 'Air Pollution in Northern Ireland 2023' report was published on 3 October 2024 and demonstrates…
Thank you, Mr Blair. I am keen to bring forward proposals to set up an independent EPA for consideration by the Executive. I want to explore models that will deliver improved and more independent environmental governance. Much has been said in the past by various individuals and groups about the lack of separation…
The Office for Environmental Protection was set up as a result of us leaving the European Union. It has a significant and important role, which I value. A number of reports have been recently published, and they are obviously in the discourse of the Chamber and in the media. The issue is that that is one part of the…
I started work on strengthening environmental governance on taking up office, and I asked officials to do that scoping study within my first few weeks. The next step here is to consider what an independent environmental protection agency would look like, what its powers would be and how it could actually improve the…
I have previously made clear my desire to strengthen environmental governance in Northern Ireland and the importance of that, and I am fully committed to working on that. Officials previously provided me with an initial scoping paper that outlined current environmental governance arrangements and some options for…
I thank the Member for his question. He touches on an important issue, namely the situation with NI Water and how that is regulated by my Department and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The key underpinning policy around that is the statement of regulatory principles and intent (SORPI). I am on the record as…
The NIEA received a report of pollution in the Loop river on 31 May 2024. The incident was classified as having a medium-severity environmental impact. NIEA water-quality inspectors carried out an examination of the drainage system in the area with a view to identifying the source of the pollution. The culverted…
The key challenge in my Department is not so much about the powers; it is about having the resources to carry out investigations and pursue prosecutions. That is why I have reallocated some of my Department's resources to NIEA's regulation and enforcement powers. Another issue arising is fines and penalties for…
Between 2019 and 2023, there were 55 confirmed water pollution incidents in the East Belfast constituency. Two incidents were assessed to have a medium-severity environmental impact. The other 53 were assessed as having a low-severity environmental impact. The two medium-severity incidents related to an NI Water…
Thank you very much, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank Members for the respectful debate and for the opportunity to respond. I understand and empathise with the concerns of Members, stakeholders and the public about animal welfare sentencing. The Welfare of Animals Act 2011 made it an offence to inflict…
I thank all the Members who contributed to the debate. The importance of the issues outlined in the motion cannot be overstated, and I am grateful to Members for bringing them to the Floor today. In responding to the motion, I will outline the current position regarding the third cycle river basin management plan,…
Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I will begin by setting out the context to explain why my Department has laid the Hops Certification (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024. Until December 2023, the UK's domestic hops regulations — the Hops Certification Regulations 1979, which were made just a few…
The sentencing framework for crimes is a matter that is often discussed, and I know that it is reviewed in many instances. It has to be taken into account. You mention children and young people, and it is about ensuring that we support them, because they are often the most significant victims and live with it for the…
I welcome Leonard Consultancy's review of the MARAC process. The Justice Minister has indicated that she is committed to ensuring that the risk posed to victims of domestic abuse is assessed and managed as effectively as possible. Her Department has set up a dedicated multi-agency oversight group to consider the…
The Member says that this is a serious issue. In all our discussions today and thereafter we have to take a victim-centred approach. I am happy to discuss this with my colleague the Justice Minister after Question Time and in due course. I recognise the issue that the Member raises. It is an important issue and we…
I thank the Member for her follow-up question. It is absolutely critical that we take practical actions, and there are many outlined in the strategies that we will talk about today. One thing that is particularly critical is how we work with the community and voluntary sector and those who provide support in the…
I start by offering my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mary Ward, who recently lost her life under horrific circumstances, becoming the fourth woman to be killed here in just six weeks. My heartfelt sympathies go out to the families of the other three woman — Montserrat Martorell, Sophie Watson and…
It is important for me to put this on record. Does the Member agree that the mental health impact of TB in our farming community is significant? That is why we need to come together on the actions that I hope to outline in the next few weeks to try to drive it down. It is having a real impact on people in the farming…
Thank you very much, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Before I start, I welcome Diana to the House and congratulate her on an excellent maiden speech. It is great to have you here. I look forward to working with you and with the new Chair of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Robbie follows…
Thank you very much. I understand the point that the Member makes. I am constrained by current law and the litigation proceedings that are under way at the moment, but I make a general appeal to all businesses in Northern Ireland to act responsibly. I will continue to do that. Whilst I totally appreciate the concerns…