All of Ms Liz Kimmins’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
Earlier this year, I gave a commitment to the House to provide updated private streets enforcement guidance to staff in an effort to reduce the risk of developments entering the Department's backlog of unadopted private street sites. On 25 September this year, I announced the introduction of the new private streets…
I thank the Member for her question. I know that she has previously asked questions on the subject. The A4 Enniskillen bypass, which is a £36 million project, will provide a new transport link to the southern side of the town and improve the connection for the A4 Dublin Road and the A4 Sligo Road. As the Member may be…
I am aware of the comments from the Mineral Products Association, which I met recently. I acknowledge the views expressed by the regional director, but, respectfully, I would like to offer a different perspective. I have covered some of this in previous discussions in the Chamber and in response to questions for…
I appreciate the Member's comments. As I said, as the appeal remains live, that is the ultimate focus of my officials at present. I want to ensure that we submit an extremely robust case for that appeal to maximise our ability to succeed, get it over the line and get the road built at the earliest possible stage.…
My Department's major project portfolio is complex, with a range of projects at various stages of development and delivery. Every project will have specific considerations, but, in common with all Departments, I am very mindful at present of the impact of the judgement on the A5 western transport corridor, which was…
Just on that point, rather than seeming not to answer it, obviously a legal case is under way at present and, as part of that appeal, as much evidence as possible will be provided to show the work that has gone into it, especially now that DAERA has joined the case. That is an opportunity to look at all of that in the…
I thank the Member for giving way. It is really important because, no matter how many times I say this, it does not seem to be landing. If the departmental statement that was published by my predecessor had been read in full, you would have seen that all the Planning Appeals Commission recommendations were indeed…
I wanted to clarify the point about Tully Bog. The court found that we were compliant in relation to that. I reiterate the point that the then Minister took on board all those recommendations and addressed them.
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I express once again my extreme disappointment at the decision that we received from the High Court on Monday 23 June. It is important to say that it was hugely disappointing not just for me but, in particular, for all the families and campaigners, including the Enough is…
I am going to come on to budget, so I will come to a wee bit around that. The transport plan sets out the potential interventions that I propose to bring forward to address many of my priorities in the strategy. The regional strategic transport network transport plan (RSTNTP) will detail proposed changes to the…
Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I genuinely thank everyone for their contributions tonight. It has been a demonstration of what we can achieve if we are on the same page and think collaboratively about what we would like to see. It has been very different from some of the debates and discussions that I have…
As I said in response to some of the queries raised in relation to the grant, there will be an opportunity to look at the criteria when we are laying the regulations. That issue may arise, but, predominantly, the existing criteria support homeowners who have responsibility for their property and are dealing with the…
I thank and welcome the new Chair of the Committee for Infrastructure. I hope that we can work together as well as I did with Deborah Erskine. To echo other Members' comments, I too wish Deborah and her husband all the very best in what, I hope, is a very exciting time for them both. I look forward to hearing her news…
I beg to move Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. The Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill, which I am bringing to Second Stage today, is an important step in meeting the challenges that my Department and NI Water face in continuing to deliver high-quality water services, and I greatly…
Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Members for tabling this important motion on the condition of the road network in the North, specifically the high number of potholes recorded and the increase in expenditure on public liability claims in the past five years. I note the concerns about the…
I will come back to the Member in writing, if she is happy enough for me to do that, so that I can give accurate timings and budget. I attended the recent opening of the greenway at the Newtownards end. We are keen to see that progress.
The draft road maintenance strategy that I have articulated should help to address the issues that you have outlined. We have had numerous conversations about how we can fix one hole in a road because it meets the criteria but bypass three or four other holes. That is the type of work that we will try to tackle as…
When you compare the allocation for the road safety budget with the structural maintenance budget, you see that they are very different figures: £2·4 million and £68 million. As I said in response to other Members, I fully recognise that the budget for structural maintenance is far from what it needs to be, and I will…
It is fair to say that a lot of areas, including mine, would be able to make the same argument. It is about looking at it as a whole. On prioritisation, the list of works that are needed is put forward through the divisions and then to the Department. I do not decide who gets what, unfortunately. However, I take into…
In response to earlier questions, I said that a number of factors are taken into consideration when allocating funds. As part of that, section offices will put forward their increasing needs or what is required in their area, the major demands and the critical issues. A lot of methodology goes into that. Essentially,…
Absolutely. The restoration of the Ulster canal will offer a very attractive cross-border holiday destination for visitors not only from across Ireland but from abroad. When completed, it will form part of an all-Ireland inland water system, allowing visitors to travel from Clones in the South to Enniskillen in the…
The Ulster canal project is being progressed in three phases. Phase 1 goes from Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson, and phase 2 goes from Clones to Clonfad. Both are now complete and open for navigation. I was lucky enough to be in Clones over the summer to see the canal and to meet Waterways Ireland. Work on the third…
It is certainly my intention to progress and get a conclusion as soon as possible. I am considering all the advice and information that officials have provided at this stage. We are working through that, and, as soon as updates are available, I will inform the House and the Committee.
I mentioned the school bus legislation, and I indicated earlier this year that I am keen to introduce legislation on overtaking school buses. We are working through that, and I am being provided with advice on the best way forward. We are looking at areas such as the use of mobile phones when driving and drug-driving…