Every imported question, contribution and motion, with its classification. Unflagged, uncertain and not-yet-analysed records are all included so the analysis can be checked independently.
Minister, fuel poverty is a scourge on our society. In my constituency of North Belfast, one of the best ways to tackle it was through the affordable warmth scheme. I understand that the Minister made a bid to the Department of Finance in the June monitoring round to ensure that we could continue to roll out the…
Of course, it will have an impact. That is something that I have said from the start: the plan would always be flexible to take into consideration the fact that they are not issues that we deal with by ourselves and that we need to work with the UK Government and, of course, other stakeholders.
The fuel poverty strategy consultation closed on 6 March. Analysis of the responses to the consultation has been completed, and a summary will be published later this summer. Informed by the consultation, my fuel poverty strategy team is continuing to discuss and agree various aspects of the final strategy with other…
The killing of birds of prey, whether deliberately or through the improper use of pesticides or other poisons, is deplorable. It is a crime, and it diminishes our biodiversity. I met the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group, the RSPB and Ulster Wildlife last week to discuss the issue. I recognise the need to address…
I agree. The judgement sets it out that section 52 does not prevent a major infrastructure project that is a source of significant greenhouse gas emissions from being devised, promoted, constructed and put into operation by DFI or any other Northern Ireland Department with responsibility for such activities. However,…
I thank the Minister for his answer and welcome his reassurance. Will the Minister admit that it is vital that we move forward with the project to ensure that more lives are not lost on the A5 road?
I met the Infrastructure Minister last Tuesday. I also wrote to her at the end of last week about the issue. The issue was also raised in the Chamber with regard to farmers who have been affected as a result of the vesting of land. My officials will continue to work with the Department for Infrastructure, and I will…
The Lough Neagh report and action plan sets out a range of actions that we plan to take or have already taken. That applies not just to Lough Neagh but to other waterbodies. The river basin management plan has also been agreed and sets out further actions. Fundamentally, it comes down to simple but difficult…
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency confirmed the presence of blue-green algae at Hillsborough Lake on 17 June, highlighting yet again that it is not just a challenge in Lough Neagh. It is no surprise, unfortunately, that the algae have reappeared in waterways this year, given the weather conditions, and I expect…
I have considered that. I have seen the feedback on the draft proposals in the current consultation for 100% LESSE by 2030. I hear those concerns. I want to engage and find a way forward. I am open-minded, because it is a consultation. I have set out a genuine path ahead, and I just hope that people can come with me…
I appreciate the Minister's response. Minister, given the feedback, have you considered the impact of the current NAP proposals on hill and sheep farmers, particularly those in the Mournes and Slieve Croob in my constituency, alongside the withdrawal of the areas of natural constraint (ANC) payments?
The consultation has received nearly 200 responses. I get farmers' concerns about the nutrients action programme consultation. The proposals are complex, and the documentation goes to over 1,000 pages. I am listening to those concerns. That is why, as I have outlined today, once the consultation closes in the next few…
Thanks very much, Minister. You walked yourself into my supplementary. I would be delighted if you could join me to visit Colin Glen Forest Park in west Belfast and see how we can help it to extend its opening hours. It is restricted to opening between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm due to various issues, including antisocial…
The Department engages primarily on how we support forest parks through providing advice or financial support. Forest parks play a vital role in Northern Ireland. They are important for recreation but also for the environment. I am keen to support that. If the Member wishes me to visit a particular park, I am happy to…
Yes, I am actively considering that. There was a meeting with stakeholders on Friday, and I have asked officials for an urgent update on the outcome of that meeting. I will take a decision in the very near future.
Thank you for that, Minister. Will you confirm that you are actively considering a vaccine in the event of an outbreak? How will you communicate that to farmers to ensure that they get support as early as possible?
I am very conscious of the concerns around bluetongue, particularly the decision that movement restrictions will no longer apply in England, which will take effect from 1 July. That has caused me concern. My Department recently published a framework for our response to bluetongue. We are engaging with stakeholders on…
There are many examples of good work being done on that. We want to redouble our efforts as part of the peatland strategy, so that we can rewet peatlands. That will also address a lot of the issues that have been outlined on fires in our countryside. A lot of environmental and non-governmental organisations are…
I thank the Minister for his answer. We all know that there were horrendous issues with fires across Northern Ireland in the spring. What role can peatland restoration play in enhancing resilience to fires in our countryside?
Thank you very much. The peatland strategy went to the Executive some weeks ago. It will have massive benefits for Northern Ireland, particularly in relation to carbon capture, the restoration of protected areas and the prevention of fires in our countryside. That is why I want to get agreement on it. Good work has…
Thank you, Patsy. I will check with officials and write to you, because I do not have the dates in front of me. There was engagement, however. Primarily, the Department for Infrastructure is the lead on the A5 project. It is important that we consider the judgement as a whole. There are 100 pages of it. I have read…
Thank you very much for that, Minister. Will you provide us with details of the number of occasions on which DFI officials sought advice on the A5 project and of the obligations that the Department had under that advice? Will you also provide that information with regard to other major projects, whether of DFI or…