Analysis in progress: 94,088 of 97,621 records assessed (96.4%). Totals and rankings will change until it finishes. Progress details
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.
1,669 records match, page 63 of 67.
I thank the Member for his question; he is moving ahead to Diane's question. I am very conscious of the issue around ammonia. Over the past two weeks, I have read quite a lot about ammonia. I have the KPMG report, which was produced by the sector, at my bedside. I have read over half of it already. I am aware that it…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Agri-food Sector Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Agri-food Sector
I congratulate the Member on his appointment as Chair of the Committee, and I look forward to working with him. The farm support and development programme is something on which I have been engaging with officials over the past two weeks, and I will be engaging with them again tomorrow. My officials have been working…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Agri-food Sector Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Agri-food Sector
My officials are leading on the development of a cross-departmental Northern Ireland food strategy framework. It is a new, strategic, collaborative effort on food that will help improve economic, environmental, health and social outcomes for Northern Ireland. A public consultation exercise was carried out in the…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Agri-food Sector Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Agri-food Sector
I am very aware of the value and importance of the agri-food sector to Northern Ireland’s economy, with the agriculture and food processing sectors employing around 80,000 people. That is particularly significant in our rural and coastal areas. I was inspired by my visit last week to Roy Lyttle's farm in Newtownards,…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Agri-food Sector Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Agri-food Sector
I am very conscious of the issues associated with the restocking of our angling estate as a result of the issues with the fish farm. The issue that the Member raises is one of many that I am dealing with on coming into office. I have over 150 requests to meet and an inbox that is overflowing. There is a lot to do, and…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Independent Environmental Protection Agency Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Independent Environmental Protection Agency
We have seen with a number of issues, such as Lough Neagh, that the need for one has developed over time. We need an independent body that can have the foresight to call out an issue before it becomes a problem. We also need to have something that can guide not just the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Independent Environmental Protection Agency Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Independent Environmental Protection Agency
I thank the Member for her question. As part of the environmental governance review, we need to look at how the Office for Environmental Protection is functioning and how it relates to Northern Ireland. I can see benefits associated with it where it has called us out on what we are doing, but does it have the…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Independent Environmental Protection Agency Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Independent Environmental Protection Agency
I am aware of the issues associated with ownership of the lough. I am meeting the Earl of Shaftesbury this week. I am looking forward to that meeting, which will be frank and open. I will be very keen to see the outcome of the work that the Lough Neagh Partnership is doing. It has recently received National Lottery…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Independent Environmental Protection Agency Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Independent Environmental Protection Agency
I thank the Member for his question. I would like to see that review carried out this year. Obviously, it depends on resources in the Department. The steps after that are that there will be a consultation with the public and then reliance on Executive colleagues to allow this to go forward. I seek to engage with all…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Independent Environmental Protection Agency Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Independent Environmental Protection Agency
I believe that good environmental governance is about focusing on environmental outcomes and ensuring that we have the optimal structures and processes in place to enable us to achieve those outcomes. My immediate priority, reflecting the statutory obligation placed on the Department, is to secure Executive approval…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Independent Environmental Protection Agency Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Independent Environmental Protection Agency
I am indeed, and, as a constituency MLA, I met the chief executive of Northern Ireland Water on Friday. That issue is in one of its plans. Ballyholme beach has been plagued with issues of water quality, so we need to have a specific focus on how we can turn that around.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Water Quality: North Down Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Water Quality: North Down
I thank the Member for her question, and I would be delighted to do that. It is important to hear their concerns, which are not just in relation to water quality but about sampling and reporting so that people are aware when it is safe to swim. I will be happy to meet those groups.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Water Quality: North Down Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Water Quality: North Down
I am very conscious that this is an issue that requires many Departments to feed into it. As I outlined in my answer, agricultural run-off and waste water infrastructure are two of the primary causes of pollution. We need to invest in waste water infrastructure, and I will be looking to my colleague in the Department…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Water Quality: North Down Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Water Quality: North Down
I thank the Member for his question; this is something that is very close to my heart. My Department seeks to improve water quality through the mechanisms outlined in the river basin management plans, which also cover coastal waters. Before bringing the third river basin management plan to the Executive, I will need…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Water Quality: North Down Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Water Quality: North Down
I thank the Member for his question: there were two questions there. First, I have to declare that my stepfather is a quality manager with the A6 project from Dungiven to Drumahoe. In relation to that, I am aware of the concerns that this situation could impede the second phase of the A6. As for a public inquiry, I am…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Mobuoy Remediation Project Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Mobuoy Remediation Project
As the Member has outlined, the whole issue of environmental crime is a matter for concern, as is the need for enforcement around it. The people who are dumping are engaging in criminal activity, and, in Northern Ireland, we need to make sure that we are turning all our energies towards catching the perpetrators who…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Mobuoy Remediation Project Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Mobuoy Remediation Project
I recognise that remediation is expected to take a number of years to complete. An implementation plan and timetable for remediation remains subject to the outcome of upcoming public consultation and public finance approvals. The public consultation will give all interested parties the opportunity to comment on the…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Mobuoy Remediation Project Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Mobuoy Remediation Project
To date, my Department does not have a cost estimate that has been assessed and approved through the required public finance processes, such as an approved business case. There are several reasons for that. First, my Department continues to pursue the perpetrators of this environmental crime through ongoing criminal…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Mobuoy Remediation Project Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Mobuoy Remediation Project
The environmental crime that was committed at Mobuoy is simply appalling. Huge quantities of polluting waste materials were unlawfully deposited adjacent to the River Faughan, a special area of conservation, and 2 kilometres upstream of Northern Ireland Water's drinking abstraction point. My Department is committed to…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Mobuoy Remediation Project Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Mobuoy Remediation Project
I am very aware of the issue and its impact on the industry. In March 2023, the migration advisory committee announced that it would undertake a self-commissioned inquiry of the seasonal worker route. My Department's officials submitted a response to the call for evidence, and, by engaging closely with Northern…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Fishing Industry: Skilled Worker Visa Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Fishing Industry: Skilled Worker Visa
I am aware of the issue that the Member refers to. At this moment, I outline that, as Minister, my approach to EU exit will be different to what has gone before. I intend to implement the law. To me, respecting the law is important. I believe in upholding the ministerial code in word and deed. I also want to focus on…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Fishing Industry: Skilled Worker Visa Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Fishing Industry: Skilled Worker Visa
I thank the Member for her question. I would be delighted to do that. On Wednesday, I will visit Portavogie harbour, and, on Thursday, I am provisionally set to meet representatives from the Northern Ireland Fishermen's Federation. I look forward to the motion that will be brought to the House on, I understand,…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Fishing Industry: Skilled Worker Visa Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Fishing Industry: Skilled Worker Visa
I will start by saying that it is good to be here. Scrutiny of Ministers and accountability to the Assembly are vital. Immigration is an excepted matter and a policy area that the UK Government (UKG) retain exclusive control over. I am, however, aware of the difficulties that are facing the fishing industry, and I…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Fishing Industry: Skilled Worker Visa Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Fishing Industry: Skilled Worker Visa
May I start by thanking the Members for bringing the issue to the Floor for discussion? It is good to be back in a functioning Assembly with the Executive restored. It is also good to see the good will being shown towards each other and the consensus emerging in relation to the issue. I also thank Members for their…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Lough Neagh Rescue Plan Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Lough Neagh Rescue Plan
I confirm that I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Ministerial Appointments Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Ministerial Appointments
Download all records matching these filters (up to 100,000 rows): CSV · JSON