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Mr John O'Dowd: Assembly records
All of Mr John O'Dowd’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
It is clear that farming communities once again stepped up to the mark and cleared a lot of debris off roads and removed trees etc, and I welcome that. I appeal, however, to anyone who is proposing to clear fallen trees or debris from roads not to do so if they have any concerns whatever. If cables are down, take it…
I do. Roads present barriers and divide communities physically. If there is a busy two-, three- or four-lane road running between communities, that is a physical barrier, even to their development. Such roads can prevent them from getting, for example, local shops or community infrastructure. The transport plan and 'A…
The last ministerial meeting on 'A Bolder Vision for Belfast' was in 2022. Since then, my officials have had ongoing engagement and discussions with project officials from Belfast City Council and the Department for Communities. There is an acknowledgement that the eastern transport plan, which I discussed earlier,…
As has been the experience during the most recent event, there is a strategic contingency group that oversees the preparation for storms and how agencies work together with local communities to mitigate the impact. There are always lessons to be learned, however, and I look forward to rearranging the meeting with the…
I had hoped to meet the contingency group that is established in Newcastle last Thursday, but that meeting had to be rearranged, partly as a result of the incoming storm. We are looking to see how we can continue to support communities and businesses in Newcastle, County Down, to alleviate their flooding concerns.…
I am happy to do so. The key to it is that we are providing information to the public. It has to be said that, by and large, the public paid heed to the warnings that were delivered before the weather event. There were no deaths or serious injuries as a direct result of the weather event itself, and we all have to be…
My Department had been preparing for the storm since the various weather warnings were issued. It has to be remembered that, even when it was at the amber stage, that is still a quite significant weather event. The difference between amber and red is that red indicates a significant threat to life, and there is a…
The Member will be aware that the matter has, understandably, been raised with me a number of times. That has been the case for a number of other watercourses, each of which can tell its own story. The advice of the engineers in my Department, who have the professional qualifications to advise me on such matters, is…
The Member will be aware that I have already responded on the matter through the five questions for written answer that he has tabled in recent weeks about discharge into the Quoile river. NI Water has advised that Downpatrick waste water treatment works currently treats waste water in line with the parameters and…
One of the first debates that I responded to in the Chamber was on a motion that referred to the introduction of mutualisation. At that stage, I set it out clearly that information was available to me that mutualisation would lead to domestic water charges. That was in March or April 2024. To date, no one has provided…
Several reviews have been carried out over the years. All of them have come to the same conclusions. Anyone standing in my shoes could change the funding model for NI Water. They could bring in privatisation or mutualisation etc. However, all the reviews came to the conclusion that changing the model would require the…
Maybe you have not been listening. Under my policy, NI Water will stay under the governance of the Executive. It will not be privatised. It will continue to receive a public subvention, which was almost half a billion pounds this year. I will continue to work with my colleagues. I am doing so successfully, because…
There is a difference between a funding model and the amount of funding received. Is the Member telling me that the privatisation of NI Water is now the Opposition's policy?
Even if the Executive were in a position to fully fund NI Water during the current price control period, 2021-27, it would connect only a further 4,500 homes. When it comes to those 19,000 homes or whatever figure is thrown out — I think you referred to 17,000 or 18,000 homes — the reality and the facts are that, if…
I do not agree with the use of the language. There is no certainty for NI Water going out onto the markets either. That has to be said. It has one certainty when it is being funded directly by the Executive: it has, at its back, the Executive — the Government. Going to any institution beyond that brings uncertainty.…
I confirm that I have the answer to question 6. First, I want to clarify that the Audit Office report does not state that there should be a comprehensive review of how NI Water is funded. It is important to note that, in its report on the funding of water infrastructure, the NIAO simply encouraged my Department and NI…
I have constantly engaged with representatives of the Dublin Government about the all-island rail review and how we get connectivity across the island. That is ongoing work in my Department and through the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) sectoral meetings. I will engage with the new Administration on that…
I thank the Member for her question. I add my gratitude to all DFI, NI Water and Translink staff, who performed humongous tasks over the weekend and continue to do so today to bring public services back online. York Street interchange is a central part of my deliberations on major projects and how we move that…
I thank the Member for her assistance in that matter. Cooperation across the Floor is always very helpful. I hope to be in a position in the next number of short weeks to make a formal announcement to the Assembly on which projects we will move forward. It has taken slightly longer than I hoped, but, when dealing with…
All local landowners whose land has been vested will have received communications from my Department on how the process will develop from this point onwards. They will be advised to obtain the services of a land agent, who will be suitably qualified to negotiate and engage with the Department on their behalf under…
I will clarify the matter in writing if I am incorrect, but my understanding is that, under the terms of the court case, there is a cap on the costs because of the nature of the legislation under which the objection has been lodged. It is outside my remit or powers, or indeed my legal team's powers and the powers of…
We have worked very closely with the Department of Transport in Dublin throughout the project and engaged with it on a number of matters. It is vital that we work not only with the Department of Transport but with the relevant councils on how the road networks link up. That work is at an advanced stage, and it is part…