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I thank the Member for his supplementary question. I disagree with his characterisation of our development of policy in the energy division. He will know, from his role in Committee, that an awful lot is going on at the moment in that division, in parallel, across a number of policy areas. He will understand that the…
I thank the Minister for her detailed update. However, when it comes to energy in the Department for the Economy, dither and delay seem to be the order of the day. Tomorrow, the Committee will receive an update from the Department and Invest Northern Ireland on the pausing of the capital grant energy scheme, as a…
The development of a support scheme for renewable electricity generation is an action in the Executive's energy strategy. In 2023, my Department published a consultation on design considerations for the scheme. In the same year, Aurora Energy Research was contracted to provide the technical expertise needed to…
I did not want to breach any of your rules. During the debate, the Member for West Tyrone Mr Buchanan referred to a University of Oxford report on water quality in rivers. For the House's information, the same point was made at a meeting of the AERA Committee. I had it clarified at that Committee meeting and written…
Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. In his comments, Mr Gaston made what I consider to be despicable comments about officials in my Department. I put on record my complete opposition to what he said and my support for them.
Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. I hope that the penny will finally drop today that, as well as losing the confidence of the farming industry, Mr Muir has lost his political cover to force farmers to destock farms under the guise of his nutrients action programme proposals. Prior to today's debate, I decided to…
I have little time, but, at the outset, let me say that no one in the Chamber denies the environmental and water quality issues that we face. However, we are entitled to question why one section is being demonised without proper account being taken of others. A blind eye is turned to others that constantly create…
I have very little time, so I will be brief. I have been struck by two personal memories that get to the heart of what we are debating. Although I represent an urban constituency, my father grew up on a farm and farming is close to my family background. One of my earliest childhood memories is sitting on my…
This debate has been diminished by the appalling threats against our Agriculture Minister. I start by calling out the rank hypocrisy that is at the core of the motion. It says that we: "need to tackle all sources of pollution affecting water quality". Yet, the very same party that sponsored the motion has launched a…
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Tá tú maith go leor any longer than three minutes anyway. Like my colleagues, I support the motion. People will know that this is very close to my heart, coming from a farming family as I do. In the area that I represent, the issue of water quality is also very close to my…
I welcome the opportunity to speak on this very important debate. Indeed, before I continue, I declare an interest, as I am a farmer's wife. I also pay tribute to the UFU and the many farmers who are here at Parliament Buildings today. We look outside and see the array of their endeavours and hard work — the machinery…
First of all, I declare an interest as I am a partner in a farm business. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this very important issue in our agriculture community in Northern Ireland. The feeling amongst our farming community and the wider agri-food sector is illustrated by the joint letter recently signed by…
The Member makes an interesting point about the support. The issue is that, even if they had the financial support, that support means that their inputs will be less. They are being asked to invest money in their farms to bring in less.
I rise to voice the growing concern shared by thousands of farming families across the North, including my constituency of Newry and Armagh — concern not just about policy but about the future of their livelihoods, their communities and the land that they have cared for across many generations. We are all united in…
The Member talks about the consultation. In previous NAP reviews, the industry was consulted, whereas, in this NAP review, the Minister has gone with his own ideological vision and enforced proposals on the farming community. Previously, Ministers worked in conjunction with the industry —.
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. When Andrew Muir took up office as Minister last year, he made clear his unwavering commitment to improving water quality and turning the tide on the ecological crisis unfolding in Lough Neagh. Indeed, just weeks after the Executive were formed, the First Minister and the deputy First…