Debate contribution: North/South Ministerial Council: Environment

Debate contribution by Mr Andrew Muir on 9 September 2025.

MLA

Mr Andrew Muir

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

9 September 2025

Type

Debate contribution (made as a minister)

Business

Ministerial Statements

Heading

North/South Ministerial Council: Environment

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5085954

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I will make a statement, in compliance with section 52 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, on the twenty-fifth North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) environment sectoral meeting, which was held in the Loughs Agency's offices in Carlingford on 4 July of this year. The Northern Ireland Executive were represented at the meeting by junior Minister Aisling Reilly MLA, junior Minister Pam Cameron MLA and me. I chaired the meeting. The Irish Government were represented by Darragh O'Brien TD, the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment and Christopher O’Sullivan TD, the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for nature, heritage and biodiversity. The statement has been endorsed by junior Ministers Reilly and Cameron, and they agreed that I should make the statement to the House. I am pleased to report that it was a very useful and constructive meeting and that progress was made in all the areas that were discussed. I will now summarise the discussions and each paper in turn and the main outcomes and agreements that were reached. On cooperation on environmental research and funding opportunities, Ministers welcomed the strong links between researchers in both jurisdictions in the field of environmental research, including through ongoing projects funded through collaborative funding programmes in both jurisdictions and via European-funded programmes. Ministers also welcomed the ongoing collaborative environmental research projects, such as the jointly funded co-centres, and the CREDA, HIGH-GREEN and sustainable, integrated, optimised electrification and automation of transportation networks (SPECTATOR) projects funded through the Government of Ireland’s North/South research programme as part of the Shared Island initiative. The Council agreed that both Administrations will continue to work together to maximise opportunities for environmental research and funding, including those offered by PEACE PLUS, Horizon Europe, the Innovation Fund Ireland, the North/South research programme, the Shared Island bioeconomy demonstration initiative, the DAERA/Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) collaborative research programme and the US-Ireland R&D partnership programme. The focus was on the bioeconomy in the area of climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Ministers noted the opportunities that the bioeconomy can offer through sustainable and circular bio-based innovations and solutions for climate action, culminating in a just transition from a linear to a circular economy in both jurisdictions. The North/South Ministerial Council welcomed the progress that had been achieved by both Administrations in developing and implementing initiatives, including strategies and action plans on a North/South basis, and agreed that officials should continue to collaborate on key issues that affect the bioeconomy. As regards cooperation on biodiversity, the North/South Ministerial Council noted the commitment of officials in both jurisdictions to engage biannually on matters relating to biodiversity, with a focus on conservation action and restoration initiatives, and welcomed the continued cooperation on biodiversity projects that are funded under the PEACE PLUS programme and the Shared Island initiative. Ministers endorsed the ambition to share best practice through programmes such as Farming for Nature and Farming with Nature; encouraged knowledge transfer of successful delivery in the European innovation partnership programme, the LIFE project and the environmental farming scheme; and encouraged collaborative engagement on natural capital accounting approaches to habitat mapping and ecosystem assessments. On cooperation on the marine environment and marine-protected areas, the Council welcomed ongoing North/South cooperation in developing policy and legislative frameworks that follow the ecosystem-based approach and provide protection for coastal and marine habitats, species and marine ecosystem services. Ministers welcomed the presentation from a DAERA official on the Northern Ireland blue carbon action plan 2025-2030 — the co-delivery policy for nature recovery. Ministers agreed to continued North/South cooperation to develop policy and legislation that gives regard to the transboundary nature of marine ecosystems and to provide opportunities for cooperation on science and research projects, knowledge exchange between officials and, where necessary, the development and/or alignment of transboundary management measures. The North/South Ministerial Council agreed that officials should work jointly on topics such as the participation of coastal and island communities in management action and environmental stewardship; the valuation of marine ecosystem services; nature-based solutions and measures to protect and restore natural carbon stores; designation and management of marine-protected areas; and measures to achieve offshore renewable energy targets while ensuring the protection of marine ecosystems. On water quality and waste water management, Ministers welcomed the launch of the Northern Ireland Executive-approved Lough Neagh report and action plan on 23 July last year, the publication of Ireland's third cycle of the river basin management plan, the 'Water Action Plan 2024', on 5 September 2024, and the Northern Ireland Executive's approval of the third cycle of the river basin management plan on 5 June 2025 and its publication on 13 June. The North/South Ministerial Council noted the holding of a catchment community fora workshop and the continued progress in developing the cross-jurisdictional pilot catchment work plan that is being undertaken in the Newry, Fane, Glyde and Dee catchment. Ministers welcomed the engagement of officials on water quality issues through the North/South water quality coordination group. The Council agreed to hold its next meeting in this sectoral format in autumn 2025. In closing, I am pleased to be able to report on a very productive and constructive meeting. I look forward to continuing to work with my counterparts in Ireland on all areas of cooperation in the North/South Ministerial Council's environment sector. I commend the statement to the Assembly and welcome any questions.

I thank the Member for his question. I welcome him to his post and look forward to working with him as his party's spokesperson on agriculture, environment and rural affairs matters. We are talking about North/South cooperation. I outlined the areas that we discussed. It is important that we have strategies so that we have an overall policy framework, but it is also important that we take action. On Lough Neagh, the key area of focus and action is the Lough Neagh action plan that was agreed and published in July last year. I am focused upon the delivery of that, because the people of Northern Ireland deserve delivery on the key issues. In terms of nature recovery, later this month, we will launch a consultation on the nature recovery strategy. It is really important that we take action in that area. I will make announcements in the next period on how we will support the NGOs to take practical action to restore nature in Northern Ireland.

I am taking all the actions that are possible within the legal vires of the Department. We are working quite hard to address the concerns that have been raised with me on the odour issues in Warrenpoint. It is important that I put that on the record. I consider these issues to be important, but we have to work within the legal powers of my Department, specifically in relation to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The last inspection of the facility by NIEA officials was on 14 August, and we will continue to do what we can within our legal powers. That stands in stark contrast to the approach of your party and the SDLP, which was to down tools and walk away from the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority. The politics of boycott do not deliver for Northern Ireland. I am focused on delivery and on addressing these issues, rather than on walking away from them.

I thank the Member for her question. It is important that we engage with the fishery sector because it is one of the key sectors that will be affected. It is important that I put it on record that I believe in the importance of that engagement. I also believe in supporting our fishery sector in Northern Ireland. I have had regular engagement with DEFRA on the fisheries and coastal development fund to get clarity on where that funding will go so that we can get it rolled out. There are new DEFRA ministers in post, and I will continue to engage with them. It is regrettable that that change has occurred because I met with Daniel Zeichner just a few weeks ago and we were making good progress. However, we are starting with a fresh team, and I will start with a fresh approach. Hopefully, we can get that support to fisheries and coastal communities in Northern Ireland.

The climate action plan is out for consultation. I encourage everyone to have their say on that because it is a key intervention for us in Northern Ireland and a requirement that has arisen from the climate change legislation. It is important that we deliver upon that legislation. Public events are ongoing, and I encourage people to feed back to them.

Thank you, Mr Buckley. There has been quite a lot of interest in the small business research initiative (SBRI), so we have had to go through a competitive call. Some companies made it through that and others did not. Subsequent to that call, people have come forward with further initiatives. We have had to consider whether we should do a further round because companies have been coming forward with additional interventions. That is something on which I will engage with officials. If people have good ideas and we want to be able to test them, we should provide a mechanism for doing so.

People will be aware that an Asian hornet sighting was confirmed in Cork on 13 August and that, subsequently, the National Parks and Wildlife Service confirmed that a nest was successfully located on Thursday 28 August. That highlights the fact that that high-risk species has the ability to reproduce on the island of Ireland. NIEA is actively collaborating with colleagues in the Republic of Ireland through the Shared Island biosecurity and invasive species initiative to monitor developments and share intelligence on the evolving situation south of the border. As part of that effort, a DAERA representative has been invited to join the Irish Government's Asian hornet management group, facilitating timely and effective information exchange between the jurisdictions. In parallel, NIEA is exploring opportunities for sharing training and equipment to strengthen preparedness and response capabilities across the island. Furthermore, NIEA has been invited to partake in the review of the response to the current outbreak in Ireland, enabling valuable lessons to be identified and incorporated into Northern Ireland's contingency planning, should a similar incident arise. My concerns about the matter are significant. NIEA is working through the terms of preparations should such an eventuality arrive in Northern Ireland. If it does, I need to level with Members today and say that we will have to stop doing many other pieces of work so that we can divert resources to deal with it. It is a concern. We have seen the situation that has been unfolding in Cork, and we have to be conscious of the need to respond to it.

Throughout my time as AERA Minister, I have been clear about the importance that I place on climate action. The journey to net zero is the defining challenge of our generation. The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 was a central feature of the judgement made in the High Court on 23 June 2025. I have decided that it is appropriate for my Department to apply to the court to formally intervene in the appeal. The focus will be on clarifying the interpretation of the legislation so that it can be fully implemented as intended. We have made much progress on climate action since I took up office, and I am determined that that will continue. Achieving the targets requires collective leadership. All Ministers and all Departments can and must play a role together. There are significant opportunities for investment as we transition towards a more sustainable economy, including good green jobs and increased energy security from renewables. The poorest in our society should not be left to bear the consequences of wild price fluctuations at the behest of dictatorships that own fossil fuel supplies. Decarbonisation will improve the health and well-being of our citizens, especially the most vulnerable, if we focus on a fair and just transition through which everyone can benefit. Strong climate and environmental credentials will be critical, if we are to attract inward investment, maximise economic opportunities, develop skills and compete on an international scale while showcasing the best of Northern Ireland.

2,047 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:57 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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