Debate contribution: Programme for Government 2024-27

Debate contribution by Mr Cathal Boylan on 3 March 2025.

MLA: Mr Cathal Boylan
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 3 March 2025
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Executive Committee Business
Heading: Programme for Government 2024-27
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4826292

Text

I thank the First Minister and deputy First Minister for coming to the Assembly with the Programme for Government. Notably, it highlights the importance and value of having locally elected Ministers in place, doing all they can in challenging financial circumstances to deliver for workers, families and communities. When we look at the PFG and its overarching aim of doing what matters most, it is clear that we need to do what we can to protect people and public services from the austerity of the past 15 years that was forced on us by the British Government. Never is that more evident than when we look at our waste water infrastructure and the work that needs to be done on it. Years of underinvestment is showing, and I am therefore glad to see commitments in the PFG on waste water infrastructure investment and plans for managing our water and for delivering improved environmental outcomes. As the Infrastructure Minister and her predecessor have said, addressing waste water infrastructure and capacity will require support from the entire Executive. Progress on that issue will be a key component of housebuilding and enhancing the economy. We are all aware that, since the reform of planning in 2015, issues have remained and that there is more to be done to improve the system. Therefore, I welcome the commitment in the PFG to the continuation of the planning improvement programme involving local government and other stakeholders. I share the Executive's goal to make our planning system work for businesses, people and the environment. I look forward to continuing to work with the Minister for Infrastructure on the matter. As we continue to work to achieve our climate change targets, it is clearer than ever that an improved public transport network will be instrumental in decarbonisation. It is therefore imperative that we create the opportunities for people in every community across the North to access reliable public transport across roads, buses and rail. We must see construction begin on the A5 western transport corridor and progress on the recommendations of the all-island rail review. It is important to recognise the commitment in the PFG to invest £26 billion of public funding in the next decade, and I look forward to seeing more detail on that in the upcoming investment strategy. The PFG is a positive step forward for the North, but our ambition and the potential of the North are much greater. Sinn Féin looks forward to playing its part in delivering for workers, families and communities in order to improve their lives and livelihoods.

428 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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