Debate contribution: Storm Resilience and Infrastructure Preparedness

Debate contribution by Ms Aisling Reilly on 20 October 2025.

MLA: Ms Aisling Reilly
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 20 October 2025
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Storm Resilience and Infrastructure Preparedness
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5189004

Text

Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
I thank Members for their important contributions to the debate. I thank the proposer of the motion for giving us the opportunity to highlight the work that is under way across the Executive and local government to prepare for, respond to and recover from severe weather events. Members referenced other Departments and Ministers, and I will try to touch on them as much as I can. If I do not cover them all, I am sure that the Departments will be happy to respond to Members' specific queries. Given where we sit on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, we are not unfamiliar with severe weather conditions. As a result, we have well-exercised response arrangements in place. However, it is clear that recent storms such as Darragh, Éowyn and Amy have tested the resilience of our systems, our infrastructure and our communities. Additionally, we saw the local impacts of a low-impact rain warning on our communities in Newcastle this weekend, with 90 incidents reported to the Department for Infrastructure. I echo the comments of others in the Chamber in saying that our thoughts are with those who have been affected by that. The Minister for Communities has just left the Chamber, but I have been told that the scheme for emergency financial assistance, which is operated by his Department, was activated this morning and that local government environmental health staff have begun to arrange visits to those who have been affected. If Members are working with anybody in those constituencies, I point them in that direction to make sure that those who have been affected are supported. Those weather events have required a whole-of-society response, and it is only right that we continue to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of our front-line staff, emergency responders and local volunteers who stepped up in very challenging circumstances. The saying goes that you cannot predict the weather, but, as the proposer of the motion noted, we have seen more frequent and more severe weather events here over recent years. That places even greater importance on preparations and the need for us to expect the unexpected. With severe weather events come impacts that develop across society, causing disruption to everyday life. There will be times when, because of measures to mitigate any immediate risk to life, we will be inconvenienced by temporary closures of facilities, businesses or schools or impacted on by transport delays. For the most part, those inconveniences are unavoidable, but the measures are to keep people safe. Of course, the impacts are felt more strongly when they disrupt essential utilities such as electricity, water supply, internet access and mobile phone networks — utilities that have become indispensable in modern life and are seen as being a lifeline, particularly for our rural and isolated communities. They are heavily relied upon, and any disruption is acutely felt. We acknowledge that the security of the electricity supply is a key priority for the Department for the Economy and that its officials are working closely with SONI and the Utility Regulator, who also have statutory responsibilities for security of supply through the real-time operation of the power system, and who continually monitor the situation and provide regular updates. Despite an increase in renewable energy generation and the additional clean capacity that it provides, the electricity system remains reliant on conventional fossil fuel generation to make sure that it can meet fluctuating electricity demand and maintain the stability of the electricity system. There is more work to be done, and it is being done alongside and in partnership with the private sector to make sure that all our essential utilities services are resilient and can be relied on by all in emergency situations. I will turn to the most recent storm: storm Amy. It should be noted that, while it was a named storm, it was not declared to be a major incident by any of our blue-light organisations. In line with the principle of subsidiarity, which is outlined in our civil contingencies framework, the response was managed at the operational level by local government, the Department for Infrastructure, NIE Networks and other key stakeholders. The decision to close schools in the areas covered by the weather warning was taken by the Education Authority, which holds the operational responsibility and duty of care for pupils and staff. As we are aware and has been mentioned, the Minister of Education commissioned an internal review, following storm Amy, which will consider the communication methods used by the Education Authority and assess the planning and decision-making processes that were utilised. As is highlighted in the motion, it is vital to consider the way in which we communicate with the public during emergencies. We share the view that communication and coordination have to be clear, timely and effective. In that regard, we are progressing a review and revamp of the content of the nidirect platform in order to improve communications and make sure that clear, accessible and timely information is available to the public in preparation for, during and after emergencies. Our primary duty is to protect those who live here, although that duty is not ours alone. I refer not only to the Executive; there is a role to play for everyone, far beyond the Executive — for MLAs, local government, public bodies and the community itself. We want to empower communities and individuals to prepare for, respond to and recover effectively from emergencies when they strike. That means fostering and supporting stronger community networks in which neighbours support one another and local organisations are empowered and equipped to respond. By strengthening personal and community resilience, we will enable the Executive to focus their resources where they are needed most, to protect the most vulnerable, restore essential services more quickly and minimise disruption across society. That is a shared endeavour that demands leadership, collaboration and a renewed commitment to preparedness at every level. The Executive are committed to delivering that leadership and promoting that collaboration. All Departments, strategic stakeholders and operational partners are working together across the civil contingencies risk landscape to make sure that operational plans that respond to any emergency are not designed and delivered in isolation. Through the civil contingencies strategic risk management project, work is ongoing to identify where all those interactions occur and to act as a catalyst for even closer cross-departmental working in the space. I hope that I have been able to demonstrate how many of the actions contained in the motion are already under way, but that does not mean that we rest on our laurels. We are not and cannot be complacent. We are continuously learning and adapting, and we will continue to do so.

1,121 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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