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.
Does the Member accept that it is strange that, given that the Minister is responsible for it, it is in his gift and power to take action himself through the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), as opposed to passing the blame on to the Department for Infrastructure over what it is doing?
Today's debate is on one of the more important issues to come before the House. The motion calls on the Minister: "to immediately withdraw the current public consultation" on the NAP proposals. I know that the Minister would see that as a U-turn, but I remind him that he did a U-turn on continuing support for the…
As a Sinn Féin representative for Newry and Armagh, I support the motion and speak on behalf of the family farms that play such an important role in helping to protect our natural environment. They deserve to have sustainable livelihoods during this impactful time of transition. My constituency has many small farms.…
I thank the Member for giving way. When we met representatives of the Ulster Farmers' Union yesterday, they very much agreed with the Irish Government's approach to incentivisation, which is to engage with each river basin or catchment. Does he agree that other parties should support that approach?
As I stand here, my initial thoughts are about what I found out recently about Lough Neagh. The eel-fishing industry has been a core part of the economy for a lot of people on the lough. It has sustained many families. It is part of our history and culture going back many years. Indeed, it was part of a very detailed…
Does the Member agree that this has been a difficult year for farmers and that having to deal, first, with the family farm tax and, now, plans for the nutrients action programme is taking a profound mental toll on farmers up and down the country?
I rise on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party. We will support today's motion. We tried to improve on it, but, hopefully, our words will bring some clarity. The motion rightly reflects the deep concern and, in many cases, rising frustration that is felt in our farming and agri-food sectors regarding the direction and…
I was at the same meeting with the OEP. One of the things that the OEP alluded to was the fact that it has a particular responsibility for the environment. However, the Minister's responsibility is for agriculture and rural affairs as well. That makes it complex for the Minister: the OEP has a single-minded objective,…
It will come as no surprise to Members when I say that the Alliance Party firmly opposes the motion calling on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to withdraw the consultation on the nutrients action programme 2026-29. The motion fundamentally misunderstands the urgent need for action to protect…
No one in the Chamber denies that there is an urgent need to tackle pollution in Lough Neagh and in rivers across the North. The environment is in decline. Environmental decline is real, and we must act. The question is not whether we act but how we act. The NAP proposals for 2026-29, which include stricter phosphorus…
I beg to move Often, when we debate motions in the Chamber, we face the criticism, sometimes correctly, that we are not discussing the big issues. Today, we are debating an issue that will decide the future of our rural economy, our food security and the very people who feed us, many of whom are with us today.…
Minister, since the NSMC meeting, have you had any engagement with the Irish language bodies to discuss the challenges that they currently face as a result of the financial context in which they find themselves?
Minister, you talked about: "the positive impact that the agencies have had in the language and culture sectors on both sides of the border." You have just referenced the fact that the budget helps that to happen. Will you give some of the positive impacts that the agencies have delivered?
Following on from the previous question, I am aware that the Irish Government are prepared to put additional funding into the North/South implementation bodies, which would be a welcome injection of funding to help them to continue to deliver. Surely the Minister agrees that we should avail ourselves of the offer of…
Minister, do you accept that, in this time of fiscal constraint that you just referenced, it would be prudent for you and your colleagues not to block the amendment to the North/South funding agreement that would supply additional funding to Foras na Gaeilge without a reciprocal contribution from the Northern Ireland…
The Minister will be aware, from a series of questions for written answer that I have submitted to him, of my concern about the disparity in funding between the two language bodies and the underfunding of Ulster Scots here in Northern Ireland. The Minister has made some progress on that through a further award to the…
Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank the Minister for the statement. Minister, can you outline whether the budget for the North/South Language Body was increased in the current round? What is the breakdown of the contributions from the two Governments?
Mr Speaker, with your permission and in compliance with section 52 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, I wish to make a statement regarding the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Language Body meeting that was held at the NSMC joint secretariat offices on 10 April. The Executive were represented by me and by junior…