Debate contribution: Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Debate contribution by Mr Colm Gildernew on .
- MLA
- Mr Colm Gildernew
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 6 October 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Private Members' Business
- Heading
- Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5776704
Read the official Assembly record
Text
As I rise to speak in the debate, I am conscious that a critical issue for my constituency is being decided by the court. I am extremely hopeful that it will arrive at the decision on the A5 that my constituents need. The situation that we are discussing today caused huge concern and, indeed, distress in my constituency. Coming from a farming background, I know that it is very difficult to look at what happened and not think, "Surely it must be done in a better way" and "There must be a better way in which that could have been done". In that context, we absolutely need to see openness and transparency and get answers about what went on. I am disappointed that the Minister has not remained in the Chamber to hear the concerns of my constituents in that regard. The questions arising from the incident go well beyond what happened on the day. We need to understand how the chain of events unfolded and why a better way was not found at some point. This is not just a story for agriculture. People in the local area witnessed what went on, and that cannot be right. When the review is complete, we need to see a clear account of what happened, and we need to ensure that lessons are learned and that the learning is implemented, because we cannot witness such scenes in our countryside ever again.
239 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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