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.
I have engaged with the Minister on significant issues in my constituency in the Granville and Killeeshil areas. There was a recent serious issue, once again, in Granville after hours, during which time no residents nor I could get any contact or communication about what was happening. What additional resource did the…
The environmental improvement plan was published on 27 September this year, and it is, therefore, too early to identify improvements in air quality when compared with targets and actions included in the plan. However, the 'Air Pollution in Northern Ireland 2023' report was published on 3 October 2024 and demonstrates…
Thank you, Mr Blair. I am keen to bring forward proposals to set up an independent EPA for consideration by the Executive. I want to explore models that will deliver improved and more independent environmental governance. Much has been said in the past by various individuals and groups about the lack of separation…
What contribution does the Minister believe that an independent environmental protection agency will make to help environmental protection in general, as well as in the context of initiatives and plans that he has already announced, such as the Lough Neagh plan?
The Office for Environmental Protection was set up as a result of us leaving the European Union. It has a significant and important role, which I value. A number of reports have been recently published, and they are obviously in the discourse of the Chamber and in the media. The issue is that that is one part of the…
I started work on strengthening environmental governance on taking up office, and I asked officials to do that scoping study within my first few weeks. The next step here is to consider what an independent environmental protection agency would look like, what its powers would be and how it could actually improve the…
Thank you very much, Minister. Given that the announcement of the scoping exercise coincided with an SDLP motion calling for the establishment of an independent environmental protection agency (EPA), which the Assembly supported, has the Minister scoped the support of his Executive colleagues for such an independent…
I have previously made clear my desire to strengthen environmental governance in Northern Ireland and the importance of that, and I am fully committed to working on that. Officials previously provided me with an initial scoping paper that outlined current environmental governance arrangements and some options for…
I thank the Member for his question. He touches on an important issue, namely the situation with NI Water and how that is regulated by my Department and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The key underpinning policy around that is the statement of regulatory principles and intent (SORPI). I am on the record as…
Minister, you will accept, like many of us here, that the polluter pays. That is a good mantra to come out with. Of course, that does not seem to extend to NI Water when it infringes the regulations. Indeed, in your answer to Andy Allen, you cited that six of the cases involved NI Water. At what stage are your…
The NIEA received a report of pollution in the Loop river on 31 May 2024. The incident was classified as having a medium-severity environmental impact. NIEA water-quality inspectors carried out an examination of the drainage system in the area with a view to identifying the source of the pollution. The culverted…
The key challenge in my Department is not so much about the powers; it is about having the resources to carry out investigations and pursue prosecutions. That is why I have reallocated some of my Department's resources to NIEA's regulation and enforcement powers. Another issue arising is fines and penalties for…
Between 2019 and 2023, there were 55 confirmed water pollution incidents in the East Belfast constituency. Two incidents were assessed to have a medium-severity environmental impact. The other 53 were assessed as having a low-severity environmental impact. The two medium-severity incidents related to an NI Water…
I thank Members for their contribution to today's debate on the order. It is, hopefully, reassuring to the wider audience that we can achieve consensus in the Assembly for a common purpose, which is to provide the best possible access to the justice system that we can afford, given our budgetary pressures. Retaining…
I support the extension of the provisions. They are essential for the efficient and modern delivery of our public services, particularly in the courts. Live link facilities have significantly improved access to our courts, allowing vulnerable individuals, as others have said, to participate without facing the added…
There is a clear purpose for the continued use of the provisions in reducing the backlog in court cases due to the pandemic. There is also an important argument to be made that extending the provisions will allow vulnerable victims and victims of violent or sexual crimes to remain in a safe place and provide evidence…
I beg to move Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I seek the Assembly's approval for the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) (No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024. Article 2 of the order extends the provisions allowing courts and statutory tribunals in Northern…
Thank you for your indulgence, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Apologies for not being here for the start of your statement, Minister. Does the Minister agree that the Chancellor has potentially drastically under-represented the scale of the problem faced by farmers in Northern Ireland, given that agricultural land in…
Minister, businesses in our constituency, and, I expect, across Northern Ireland, are concerned, rightly, about the additional pressures that they will experience following HM Treasury's autumn Budget. They suggest that more rate relief would be a great help. In response to a previous question, you mentioned that you…
Minister, for some time, mutualisation and privatisation have been wrongly touted as being the solutions to our very real water, infrastructure and housing problems. Will the change to the borrowing rules for capital investment that you announced mean that there will be extra public money to properly fix our water…