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.
As a result of our leaving the European Union, each part of the UK is developing its own policies, and there is an issue with potential divergence. I want to ensure that Northern Ireland has a competitive advantage. Something that we have in our favour is our operation of the Windsor framework. We have advantages in…
Go raibh maith agat an athuair. It is an important area for me. I raised the issue with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs last week, and his response was that the money had run out. That is one of the issues that has arisen as a result of Brexit, because, when we were in the EU, we got our…
I will do whatever I can. Because of the Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024, some of those areas sit under the direction and control of the Secretary of State. I met Baroness Hayman last week, and I will continue with that relationship. One of the challenges that I have is around the border control…
I thank the Minister for his response. Does the Minister agree that, if we are to maintain Northern Ireland's biosecurity, more monitoring should be conducted at our borders?
My Department currently has sufficient resources to ensure that the movement of animals under licence complies with the conditions of the licence for which my Department has responsibility.
One of the key actions that we can take is public messaging, which is why Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful has a key role in this as well. We want to get a clear message to the public that you should not litter, because it creates an unsightly mess across Northern Ireland, creates environmental damage and we have to…
We see a lot of waste along our roadsides — crisps packets, food waste, cartons etc. What can the Minister do, along with councils, to address the issue? It is getting worse year after year, and we see no resolution.
That is an important area. A robust, fair, proportionate and targeted enforcement regime is essential to act as a deterrent and champion the principle of "the polluter pays", and I am committed to delivering it. Key to it will be an independent review, including a consultation on the environmental crime sentencing…
The environmental crime unit within the regulation and enforcement division of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency continues to investigate and prosecute the most serious and persistent environmental crime in Northern Ireland with a particular focus on waste criminality. The environmental crime unit focuses its…
Thank you, Nuala. I would be delighted to do that. I have been to see the work that the National Trust is taking forward, and I would be delighted to take up your kind invite for a visit. Hopefully, we can do that in the time ahead.
I thank the Minister for his answer. Not far from Divis and Black Mountain is Ligoniel dam. Minister, will you commit to meet me on-site to explore the ways in which we can promote nature recovery and what the community is doing there already?
The National Trust, with local communities and partners, is undertaking the Divis — A View to the Future project for both people and nature. It is intended to deliver accessible urban upland green spaces where people and place thrive together in a healthy, nature-rich and wild landscape. The project is being funded by…
There were not many benefits from the fact that the Assembly was collapsed for two years, but one benefit is that we can learn from what other areas learned as a result of progressing legislation. One of those areas of legislation was Lucy's law. The introduction of Lucy's law in England aimed to tackle the root…
I have approved a policy proposal that will not only ban third-party sales of pups and kittens in Northern Ireland but facilitate greater transparency and accountability. The proposal would place legal requirements on anyone who wishes to sell or transfer the ownership of a pup or kitten. This will enable purchasers…
As part of the process for the Budget that was announced at the end of October, I made representations for a just transition fund for agriculture. I was not successful in that, so I made a bid to the Finance Minister locally, and, in the draft Budget, there is funding set aside for a just transition fund for…
Investing in dealing with climate change is important. I was at an exhibition this morning by Trócaire, which showed the consequences of climate change for the most vulnerable in society. Those who have contributed least to climate change feel the consequences of it most. There is a moral obligation to look beyond…
There is a challenging budget and an ever-growing pressure to meet targets set by an Assembly that was desperate to push through ill-considered legislation in 2022. We now hear that the office of a climate change commissioner will cost in the region of £1 million per year. Does the Minister consider that to be value…
Thank you very much, Danny. The Climate Change Committee published its fourth carbon budget advice on 19 March. I welcome that. It advises us on our pathway to net zero and states that there will be a net saving during the fourth carbon budget period, which is 2038 to 2042. I encourage anyone who has not read it to…
I thank the Minister for that answer. What is the Minister's assessment of the recent Climate Change Committee (CCC) advice on the fourth carbon budget?