Tom Buchanan
West Tyrone · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“However, the Bill must give hydro operators clarity and confidence, through a sustainable licensing framework with long-term regulatory certainty, to enable them to invest and upgrade, modernise and improve fish pass technology.”
“I note that quite a bit of work in the Bill falls to the Department with regard to monitoring, enforcement and scientific assessment, which will require adequate resourcing. <BR /> <BR />The Bill must strike the right balance between encouraging investment and protecting sensitive freshwater habitats.”
“I welcome the opportunity to say a few words at Second Stage of the Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill. It is overdue legislation, which touches on three interlinked systems: commercial fisheries; growing the aquaculture sector; and the wider water environment, with an ambition to modernise regulation while supporting susta…”
“<BR /> <BR />Hydro schemes and hydropower to produce clean energy that will contribute to decarbonisation targets must be catered for in the Bill, with a clear vision for their future expansion. Those are not abstract infrastructure projects but local assets that generate clean renewable energy while supporting employment in rural areas.”
“Minister, under your watch, many miles of posts and wire fencing were put up along the A5 western transport corridor. However, in the past few weeks, a good bit of that has been removed by a mechanical digger and pushed into a pile for dumping.”
“In reality, however, every notice, every new form and every new administrative step will be another cost to councils. We simply cannot keep relying on councils to pick up the cost. We cannot pretend that council budgets are elastic, with plenty of stretch left in them. As is the case in many other sectors, councils are under pressure.”
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“The people who were here were from the rural hinterland of County Fermanagh, and they came to lobby for the restoration of that service and others. They want to see the hospital utilised to its full service delivery potential for people from the area and from the whole south-west quarter of Northern Ireland. First priority must therefore be given to protecting local capacity. Waiting lists in Northern Ireland are among the worst in the UK, and I thank the Minister for the work that he has done in recent times to reduce those waiting lists. Therefore, local people must be given priority.”
“I thank the Minister for being here. We have heard much about the development of cross-border services, and there is no doubt that the South West Acute Hospital, given where it is situated, lends itself to such services. However, there are a few fundamentals that we must consider prior to moving to any development of cross-border services. First, there must be protection for local capacity. The South West Acute Hospital, which is a state-of-the-art hospital, as has been mentioned, was built to serve the people of the rural south-west quarter of Northern Ireland. We must not do anything to undermine or hinder its development for service delivery to those people. <BR /> <BR />We saw a protest at Stormont yesterday because of the removal of emergency general surgery.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Minister, given the scale of sickness absence across the Civil Service and the clear impact of that on service delivery, are you satisfied that your Department will put interventions in place that will deliver positive results in that area?”
“<BR /> <BR />We also remember those who lost their lives on our roads at the weekend and the families who have been bereaved. We pass on our sincere sympathies to them at this time.”
“<BR /> <BR />I again appeal to the Minister for Infrastructure to consider introducing safety measures on the A5. There are proposals for a new road: it may come at some stage but we do not know when that will be. Simply having a new road in the pipeline, as we have had for the past 15 years, does not mean that the A5, which is notorious for accidents, should simply be forgotten about. Safety measures can be put in place on the road, such as installing cameras in certain areas, upgrading road junctions and providing better signage and clearer road markings. We have been on to the Minister about that before, but in light of last night's serious accident I again call on her to consider putting in place some of those safety measures in order to curb the number of accidents on the road.”
“Today, the A5 has again been in the news for all the wrong reasons, as a result of a serious road traffic accident that happened last night. The road was closed in both directions, and it was still closed when I was driving here this morning. I assure those who were involved in the accident, and their families, that they are in our thoughts and prayers this morning. <BR /> <BR />The accident again highlights the dangers on the A5. So many vehicles use the road, and I ask all drivers to exercise great caution when doing so because of those dangers. Over the years, we have witnessed far too many accidents on the A5. Many homes have an empty chair and a voice missing as a result. Many homes have been torn apart because people have suffered serious injuries on the road.”
“Farmers and businesses are being asked to modernise, decarbonise and invest, yet we have been waiting for months and years for you, as Minister, to publish a consultation response. How is that credible leadership?”
“That was not much of an answer, but whatever. The Communities Minister has raised the important issue of tackling fraud and error in the benefits system. We all know that those who defraud the system are stealing from those who genuinely need that support. Why, then, do you not support the Communities Minister on that important issue rather than preventing further action to address it?”
“He knew the Lord Jesus Christ as his own and personal saviour and, day by day, was guided in all that he did by his strong and unwavering faith. Today, we can surely say that heaven's gain is earth's loss. While he is with the saviour whom he loved and served, we — his family, friends, the community and all who knew him and mourn for him today — can say in the words of 1 Samuel 20:18:”
“He stood strong in his belief, despite the challenges that there were back in those early days to even be associated with the Democratic Unionist Party. He was a founding member of the local community association in Ballinamallard and had a heart and a genuine love for his constituents and his home village. My colleague Deborah Erskine referred to him as "Mr Ballinamallard", who paved the way for all who came after him: that sums it up well. He also became an MBE for his commitment and dedication to his work among the community and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. <BR /> <BR />While he was successful in business and in a long political career, his success was founded in his strong Christian faith.”
“Bert was one of this world's gentlemen; a man who was always courteous and compassionate to all with whom he came in contact. He was well known not only in Fermanagh but throughout Northern Ireland and much further afield for the successful upholstery business that he ran from beside his home in Ballinamallard, which continues to flourish. He also had a successful political career as a DUP councillor for Erne North for 38 years and served as the last chairman of Fermanagh District Council before the Fermanagh and Omagh councils amalgamated. <BR /> <BR />Bert served as a councillor for the DUP from its earliest days back in 1976 and 1977. He never wavered in his commitment and loyalty to the party.”
“I pay tribute to a dear friend and colleague Mr Bert Johnston, who passed away peacefully at the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen yesterday evening. I pass on our sympathies to his dear wife, Olive; his sons Mark and Paul; his grandchildren; the wider family circle; and all others who knew him.”
“Minister, do you agree that the deplorable state of the road network across all our constituencies, with such a plethora of potholes, is surely seriously compromising road safety under your watch?”
“Minister, biosecurity is an important issue in the farming community. When will you introduce a robust programme to deal with the ongoing TB issues, which are continually on the increase?”
“Minister, we are all passionate about the preservation of our nature and wildlife. How does your strategy sit alongside large infrastructure projects and, for example, wind farms, which are mainly developed in boglands and peatlands, where there is heather and which are rich in biodiversity, birdlife and all of that?”
“<BR /> <BR />Joe worked tirelessly for the constituency until he was forced to step aside due to deteriorating health. However, he endured his health conditions with great fortitude and always had a positive word to say any time that I met him, enquiring about the political situation and how things were going in West Tyrone. He was a gentleman to work alongside, and he was dedicated to the people of West Tyrone. Irrespective of class, creed or who they were, Joe was dedicated to working for those people. <BR /> <BR />Joe will be sorely missed by his wife, family and friends and by his colleagues in the SDLP. To you all today, I tender our deepest and heartfelt sympathy and trust that you will find strength in the days to come. Today is a timely reminder that”
“I express my sincere condolences to the Byrne family on the recent passing of Joe, a beloved husband and father and a friend to all who knew him. <BR /> <BR />Joe and I were first elected to Omagh District Council in 1993, where he served for a number of years. He also served in the House as an MLA for West Tyrone. He was a great advocate for the SDLP. During his political career, Joe was passionate about delivery in West Tyrone, and we worked together on many subjects. On employment opportunities, infrastructure projects, economic growth, equality in health and education and many other issues, Joe's voice was always heard lobbying for his constituents. He was never one to back away from the difficult decisions that had to be taken. Joe was always there, and he was a gentleman to work with.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, I note the return of £4·9 million as a result of unfilled vacancies in DAERA.Given the pressures that our agriculture sector is experiencing and the large number of vacancies in the Department, especially in veterinary personnel, that is a matter of concern. Have you had any discussions with the AERA Minister about those vacancies and the filling of them?”
“Economic growth, roads and transport are part of your seven foundations for the future. That is very much needed in West Tyrone. Should there be a negative outcome to the ongoing court case regarding the A5, what is plan B?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Has an assessment been done of the potential cost implications for Northern Ireland practices and farm businesses? Has consideration been given to potential mitigating measures?”
“Doing so would reduce ammonia levels and therefore pollution, but the stringent targets set by the NIEA, and the months of delay to the NIEA and the SES reaching a decision between them, mean that a farm business that could reduce its ammonia levels by perhaps 90% or more through new, upmarket buildings is instead compelled to work with its old system that results in high ammonia levels. <BR /> <BR />Would it not be sensible for the Minister and the Department to look at those structures, free them up and get things more effective so that the farming community is able not only to make progress but to help to clean up the environment? We must allow our farm businesses to grow, where possible, while protecting the environment.”
“Now what are we doing? We are adding more red tape to red tape and more bureaucracy to bureaucracy, which leaves the processes much less effective. We all want to see improvements to our environment and pollution issues dealt with, including those relating to Northern Ireland Water, but we need to see them dealt with in an effective way by bodies that are held accountable. That will not happen with the new body or quango that is going to be set up. <BR /> <BR />At present, our farm businesses are hindered by an over-bureaucratic process that prohibits them from enhancing their farm buildings.”
“What causes me a problem is a new agency having the power to set its own enforcement policy without scrutiny or direction from the Minister or the Department. That is where the problem really lies. Would it not be much better practice for the Minister to review the effectiveness of all the current environmental structures to ensure that they deliver than to establish another agency that is neither necessary nor appropriate? <BR /> <BR />The new agency could be detrimental to our environment rather than improving it. I will clarify that point. Placing more bureaucracy on top of bureaucracy always leaves a thing less effective. A few years ago, what were we doing in the House? We were fighting to cut red tape in the Department of the Environment.”
“How much will it cost, and where will that funding be found at a time when all Departments are under such financial pressure? If the Department cannot adequately fund what is already in place, how is it to fund a new body such as this? Perhaps the Minister will provide clarity on those issues when he responds to the debate. <BR /> <BR />Do those who tabled the motion and the other parties really expect the House to accept the addition of another independent agency and another layer of bureaucracy to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs without any scrutiny or indication of how it will be funded or how it will interact with the existing environmental bodies?”
“The Committee will have no scrutiny powers over the policy that is set by that agency. Do people in the Chamber believe that that is good, effective and accountable governance? I do not believe that it is. <BR /> <BR />How many environment agencies do we need to protect our environment? Let us examine what we already have. We have the Northern Ireland Environment Agency; the Shared Environmental Service; the Office for Environmental Protection; Waterways Ireland; and the Public Health Agency. All those agencies are already in place. Look at that list of environmental agencies: what is the justification for another agency that will be accountable only to itself? What will be its role and function beyond those of the agencies that are already in place?”
“I am not as enthusiastic as others around the Chamber about how a new body will deliver what we are looking for. I note that those who tabled the motion claim to be the Opposition who hold Ministers, Departments and the Executive to account on delivering more effective, efficient and accountable governance. However, what they have brought to the House as a solution to our current environmental challenges are proposals for increased bureaucracy in the form of an environmental protection agency with powers to set its own enforcement policy. For me, that creates concern, as it should for everyone around the House. What role will the Minister with responsibility for the environment have in directing that policy? How much scrutiny will the AERA Committee have over such policy? The answer is none.”
“The UFU is not playing politics; it speaks for the vast majority of farming businesses throughout Northern Ireland. In light of the unanimous vote of no confidence, do you not think that it is time to listen to and work with the farming community, whom you have ignored since coming into office, to deliver sensible and workable policies?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. I appreciate that some work has been done on the A5. While the new western transport corridor will be some way down the line, perhaps — we are not sure yet — has the Minister considered, for example, the installation of cameras on some of the most dangerous parts of the A5 for drivers coming on to and off it, which would help to slow the traffic at relatively low cost?”
“I hope that the AERA Minister is listening and will begin to focus on the issues that matter rather than on the continual rhetoric of climate change that cannot and will not deliver the positive outcomes that we, the people of Northern Ireland, require.”
“With climate change targets set at a level that not only is unachievable and unworkable but has detrimental consequences for large capital infrastructure projects, such as the A5, which was mentioned, and all future infrastructure projects, it is disappointing but not surprising that the Minister has failed to bring forward legislative proposals to reduce those targets, which were set by all parties in the Chamber apart from ours and the TUV. We need targets that are more realistic and achievable and that do not have detrimental consequences for infrastructure projects that are so important to the people of Northern Ireland.”
“It is time that the AERA Minister took a common-sense approach to the issue and put forward balanced and workable legislative proposals that will see a significant reduction in ammonia levels, rather than working with unachievable targets that are causing untold delays by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), as it grapples with planning applications that seek to provide consultation responses based on such unworkable targets. The Department really needs to begin to focus on what is achievable, workable and important to the agriculture community. <BR /> <BR />The just transition for agriculture raises huge concerns about value for money.”
“We then have the ammonia issue, which is a serious hindrance to farm businesses expanding or upgrading their buildings, and all because no balanced approach has been taken or common sense applied and unachievable targets have been set by the Department. Rather than farm businesses being able to upgrade their buildings and, by doing so, significantly reduce their ammonia levels, they have to continue with outdated buildings, thus creating much higher ammonia levels.”
“What is required is for the Minister to bring forward a delivery plan and legislative proposals that will reduce the high level of bovine TB in Northern Ireland and the associated cost incurred. Not to have such legislation is therefore a failing on the Minister's behalf.”
“That is still a huge burden on the agriculture industry, yet it is somewhere in the abyss, costing the Department in excess of £60 million a year, which is increasing year-on-year, with Northern Ireland facing one of the highest rates of bovine TB in Europe. A new TB partnership steering group has been established to explore proposals to eradicate bovine TB, but it has no powers. In fact, it is just a further stalling exercise.”
“I will focus my remarks on the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. It is disappointing that the only legislation in the Executive legislation programme for 2025-26 that the AERA Minister has brought forward is the fisheries and water environment Bill. Although that is important legislation, the Committee is looking at other issues, which the Chair of the Committee outlined. <BR /> <BR />There are issues of equal and greater importance that still appear to be sitting on the shelf rather than being included in the legislative programme. I refer, first, to the bovine TB crisis.”
“Minister, given that scientific evidence from other jurisdictions shows that culling wildlife has a positive impact on the reduction of bovine TB, what consideration have you or the partnership group that has been set up to look at eradicating bovine TB given to that?”
“I know that that was said earlier today, but it bore repetition. What horrendous injuries he suffered as an innocent victim of IRA terrorism. Those who carried out that atrocity are not victims, but victim makers. The House needs to be clear on that. <BR /> <BR />Amid all of his suffering, it was Jim Dixon's faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal saviour that gave him strength, wisdom and compassion and bore testimony to great Christian values and fortitude throughout the next 38 years of his life, during which he never had a day without pain or suffering. For Jim, his suffering is over — he is now with his Saviour — but, one day, there will be no hiding place for those who carried out the atrocity. We are reminded in the word of God that:”
“Let us not forget that that was an atrocity and that the First Minister stated that there was no alternative to that type of action. I ask the House to reflect on that statement. <BR /> <BR />Jim was the most seriously injured person to survive the bombing that day and was told by three surgeons that he would not survive due to the extent of his injuries. In 2009, recalling his injuries in the 'Belfast Telegraph', Jim said:”
“It was with sadness last Thursday that I learned of the passing of Mr Jim Dixon, a well-known, highly respected businessman from Enniskillen. At the outset, I tender my deepest sympathies to his wife, Anna, and daughters Suzanne, Sharon and Serena and their respective families. I trust that they will find the needed grace and strength from the God of all comfort in the days to come. <BR /> <BR />As most will know, Jim was seriously injured in an IRA bomb attack on 8 November 1987 while in attendance at the Poppy Day wreath-laying service at the cenotaph in Enniskillen. Unknown to Jim, he was only 10 feet away from the no-warning explosion that killed 11 people, injured more than 60 and left many others, including women and children, traumatised to this day.”
“— or any other political jurisdiction, heads would roll.”
“Of course, we also have the Agriculture Minister, and there has been little engagement by him with farm businesses. He has been so keen to set net zero targets, supported by Sinn Féin and the SDLP, that the project has been brought to a halt. When will they come back to the House with proposals to reduce those targets so that such projects can proceed? If it happened in any other business —”
“That is not good enough and is totally unacceptable. <BR /> <BR />It has to be recognised that the handling of the scheme by the Minister and her Department has been deeply flawed, and seeking information from the Department that will provide clarity for the farming community is like trying to take blood from a stone. That is totally unacceptable. The Minister must come to the House, step up to the plate and provide clarity on the issue.”
“Millions of pounds have already been spent, and all that we see for it is the devastation to hundreds of acres of farmland.”
“The livelihoods of landowners and farm families have been placed in limbo for well over a decade, with third- and fourth-generation farming families facing great uncertainty for their future business. Their lands were vested and groundwork undertaken, which saw land left in such a state that it is unable to be farmed and disruption above measure caused to many of those businesses. <BR /> <BR />Driving through the constituency of West Tyrone, it is devastating to see the hundreds of acres of farmland that has been left in such a deplorable condition. No one can deny that the A5 project is a key economic driver for the west, bringing with it regional balance, better connectivity and employment. However, our farmers, our businesses, our victims and our local people need clarity on the future of the project.”
“The A5 has been the subject of much debate in the House in recent weeks and months, and it bears mentioning again today. The ongoing delay as we await the outcome of the appeal by the Minister and her Department against the court judgement is causing uncertainty for farm businesses and much concern for the families who have lost loved ones on the road. <BR /> <BR />We can never mention the A5 without, first and foremost, thinking of the families who, today, have a silent voice and an empty chair in their home. Every day, as we travel that road, we are reminded of the devastation caused to many families, and our sympathies are with them today. However, there is a second set of victims who are so often overlooked, and that is the farming community.”
“Minister, which schools that were announced to have work done under the major capital works programme in March 2022 have now progressed through planning?”
“Can the Minister inform the House how much of this money, if any, will be spent on implementing fresh road safety measures on the A5 to prevent further loss of life?”
“OK. Sorry. Our only other concern is that we must fight to keep the hospital's fully acute status. There was a problem some time back with the neonatal unit, and we had to fight to keep that unit in the hospital and —.”
“At that time, we were given assurance after assurance and guarantee after guarantee in meetings that the South West Acute Hospital would be a fully acute, fully equipped hospital that would work across the trust with the hospital in Omagh and the hospital at Altnagelvin and that it would be utilised to its full potential in order to deliver the best quality of service for the people in the area. To date, however, two theatres have still not been utilised. The hospitals in Enniskillen and Omagh have not been allowed to achieve their full potential. That is a retrograde step and something that the trust has allowed to happen instead of seeking to get people in —.”
“Prior to that work commencing, there were, for a few years, discussions about the delivery of acute services in the west of the Province, what those would look like and how they would be developed.”