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I am conscious of the issues that the Member raises. I am very supportive of built heritage: that is why I am a member of Ulster Architectural Heritage. By tabling the Bill, hopefully, my Department will be able to progress some things around that. I am conscious of the issues in the Member's constituency,…
Minister, what are you doing to work with the Minister for Communities to ensure that we protect our built heritage, which is falling down around us daily?
Minister, I hope that you will agree that the track record of this place in looking after our built heritage has been abysmal. In fact, answers to recent questions that I have raised with the Minister for Communities have revealed that there is no funding to support owners of listed buildings to help them to restore…
It will have a particular impact on that, because, during the policy consultation, stakeholders expressed concerns that, under existing legislation, there was no special consideration or protection afforded to listed buildings and no requirement to consult planning colleagues prior to the issuing of notices.…
I agree with Mr Brett that dilapidated buildings are a blight on our towns and villages, including in East Antrim, so I am keen to see the Bill progress. How will the Bill enable councils to take action to protect our built heritage?
Yes. I am keen to see the Bill on the Floor of the Assembly. When we were returned here in 2022 — it is just about the anniversary of that election — we were clear that the public wanted us to deliver for them. The dilapidation Bill is a key tool by which we will do that. Dilapidation is a real blight on communities.…
Dilapidation impacts not only on town centres but on communities in my constituency. In lower North Belfast, the communities of Skegoneill, Shore Road and Jellicoe are blighted by Japanese knotweed on unregistered and unowned land. Can the Minister give an assurance that he will try to bring the Bill to the House as…
I have now received confirmation that the dilapidation Bill is within the legislative competence of the Assembly. I am seeking approval for the introduction of the Bill at the earliest available opportunity from my Executive colleagues. Once Executive approval is received, I will seek to have the Bill introduced, with…
The Programme for Government sets out areas of commitment, one of which relates to improving the environment. In the environmental improvement plan, we have actions that I seek to take as Minister. Clearly, what is required with regard to waste water infrastructure is investment. The Northern Ireland Audit Office has…
Minister, do you share my disappointment that there is not one specific mention in the Programme for Government that suggests any solutions to tackle the pollution in Belfast lough? We both realise that it will be the next Lough Neagh.
I am on record as saying that I will support the Infrastructure Minister in funding bids for Northern Ireland Water. That is the kind of person that I am. I will support that investment, which needs to take place. The pressure that I am bringing to bear relates to the regulation and enforcement arrangements for…
Minister, you set out your views on NI Water and SORPI. However, you have also said that you want to give the Infrastructure Minister and her predecessor time and space to come up with a funding solution. They have had time and space, and there is no funding solution. Heads appear to be stuck in the sand. What…
I can answer that question in a number of ways. The third cycle river basin management plan has been with the Executive for approval for a while, and I continue to engage with my Executive colleagues on it. If Members will bear with me, I will explain this a bit more. When NI Water was established in 2007, a statement…
Thank you, Minister, for that thorough response. Will you provide an update on regulation and enforcement arrangements regarding sewage pollution by Northern Ireland Water?
I am aware of the impact of sewage pollution on water quality. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) undertakes an extensive water quality monitoring programme in Northern Ireland's rivers and lakes. NIEA's river waterbody monitoring indicates that 53% of river waterbodies are impacted by agriculture-related…
Thank you very much, Andy. That is a really important issue. Re-wetting peatlands leads to improvements in the height of the water table, which increases the wetness and the growth of key plants that naturally limit the dominance of the shrubs, heather and grasses that favour drier conditions and burn more readily. A…
The Department has previously engaged with specific forums and intends to re-establish that as part of the strategy associated with the wildfires. Engagement with people is important. There will be a consultation and engagement about the prescribed burning period. I have put on record my belief that the period should…
The media have strongly profiled the issue. Last week, I was with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service in Ballynahinch and Lisburn, and we put out media updates subsequent to that visit to raise the profile of the practical implications. We have a role, as elected representatives, to profile the communications…
I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, what more could be done, for instance, through the media, to educate people about wildfires? I am talking not only about young people, because older people are doing it, as well. What more could be done to educate people about what happens when they do those stupid acts?
My engagement with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has shown that the overwhelming majority of the fires have been deliberately set. It is only by the grace of God that nobody has been killed by the fires in Northern Ireland. I again urge anyone with any information to pass it on to the police. The…
I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, you referred specifically to "deliberate acts of rural arson". Have all the fires been attributed to that cause? Are the fires all deliberate arson attacks or have some started in other ways? Has the percentage been determined?
Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will group questions 4 and 14. The recent spate of wildfire incidents is very concerning, as wildfires not only have the potential to have devastating impacts on the environment but are a risk to life, homes and farms. We must all unite to strongly condemn the actions of the…
That is one of my main concerns. You are right to highlight that. We want to make sure that we do not do that. We will engage on it as part of a co-design process, because we want to make sure that it benefits rural areas and people who are less well off. It is important that we do that.