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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“Only someone who has stood in the shoes of a family that has lost a member can know the pain and suffering that they continue to experience. <BR /> <BR />At the same time, however, we cannot ignore the statistical fact that 95% of the fatalities were the result of human error. I acknowledge that, had the A5 been upgraded, some of those lives might have been saved. The A5 as we know it today is a dangerous road with slow-moving traffic, increasing traffic and a lot of side roads coming on to it. A dual carriageway is a different type of road, and I have no doubt that a number of those lives might have been saved had the road been upgraded.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the Business Committee for allowing this important issue to be raised as the subject of the Adjournment debate this evening. Over the past number of years, the topic has been the subject of numerous debates in the House and a multitude of questions to the Ministers of the various Departments that are involved in the project. <BR /> <BR />At the outset, I will take a moment to remember all those who, unfortunately, lost their life on the A5 and to acknowledge the pain and suffering that their families continue to experience. The effect has been widespread and includes all who live along the route of the A5, the families that are involved and the wider rural community.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her response. Does the deputy First Minister agree that it is fundamentally wrong and unfair that trans people who are biologically male have been able to compete in women's sports, use women's bathrooms and be placed on female prison wings?”
“Let us, in the House, set a standard for others around the globe to follow.”
“<BR /> <BR />When it comes to dog pounds and kennelling policies, a standardised approach across all council areas must be a priority for the Minister and his Department. I think that the Minister will agree that the current system is fragmented and that it is unacceptable that dogs in different parts of Northern Ireland are subjected to different standards of care. It is, therefore, the Minister's responsibility to urgently address the issue by reviewing councils' dog pound and kennelling policies, including the euthanising of healthy dogs, and bringing forward a standardised approach that prioritises the welfare of those animals. <BR /> <BR />Minister, I look forward to action rather than words, when we can be assured that we have created a future where all dogs in Northern Ireland are valued, protected and loved.”
“<BR /> <BR />The euthanisation of healthy dogs after just five days, if they are not reclaimed or rehomed, is not only heart-wrenching but, surely, raises questions about our values as a society. Can we really justify taking the life of a healthy dog simply because it has not been reclaimed within a certain time frame? That policy is nothing short of appalling, to say the least. The Dogs Trust has been a vocal advocate of change to legislation to ensure that all animal welfare establishments, including dog pounds, are licensed and subject to regular unannounced inspections. Only then can we be confident that all dogs in such establishments are being held in safe and humane conditions and that their welfare is being protected.”
“Despite the best efforts of those organisations, DAERA's lack of support and oversight in relation to councils' enforcement of animal welfare legislation is of grave concern. Indeed, it is alarming to note that, while laws are in place to protect the welfare of dogs in Northern Ireland, the implementation and enforcement of those laws are often inconsistent and inadequate. I note that the amendment from the Alliance Party completely excludes councils from their role in enforcement. While the proposer of the amendment said that the amendment strengthened the motion, I take a different view: the amendment weakens the motion, because it leaves out councils completely.”
“I support the motion. A dog is known as a man's best friend, and, therefore, the welfare of such lies close to the heart of many. Dogs are not just pets; for many, they are members of the family. Therefore, there is a collective responsibility on all of us in the House to ensure that they are treated properly and protected from those who would neglect them or cause them harm. <BR /> <BR />I commend the incredible work of the Dogs Trust and the many other rehoming organisations that work tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs in need. On many occasions, those organisations do so under financial constraints. Their dedication and compassion are truly inspiring, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I apologise for missing my question slot by a few seconds. I was not in my place, so I apologise for that.”
“Minister, how much is being lost to the agricultural community in single farm payments by those losing land along the A5?”
“I commend the amendment to the House, and I trust that the signatories to the motion will accept it.”
“No inquiry will ease the trauma resulting from that dreaded knock on the door. Every decent and right-thinking person, however, should listen to the families and heed their call for an inquiry in the Republic of Ireland that has the power to compel people and papers in order to bring the families the truth and justice that they deserve. <BR /> <BR />In closing, I want to remember from that day the members of the security forces and the medical support who were left to deal with the aftermath of the bomb. They saw scenes and dealt with things that no one should have to deal with. Afterwards, having received no professional help to deal with their trauma and the effects on their mental capacity, they simply had to get on with their job. So often, the people who provide such help are forgotten about. Today, we should remember them.”
“<BR /> <BR />We must listen to the voice of the victims, engage with them and not run away from our responsibility to help uncover the truth. The Republic of Ireland Government cannot therefore continue to ignore their overriding moral and legal duty to conduct an inquiry into what was the deadliest atrocity of the Troubles. It was orchestrated, planned and delivered from their jurisdiction. The victims and their families deserve truth, accountability and justice on both sides of the border. I commend my party leader and MP colleagues for raising with the Prime Minister the need for the Republic to step up to the plate by holding a public inquiry similar to the inquiry that the UK Government have initiated. No inquiry will bring the loved ones back. No inquiry will fill the empty chair at the dinner table.”
“Assistant Chief Constable Harris, as he was then, stated under oath at the Smithwick tribunal that he was satisfied beyond doubt that there was a leak from the gardaí to the IRA that led to the murder of Ian Sproule in Castlederg, yet both the Dublin Government and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman blatantly refused to sanction an investigation of that murder. Does anyone in the House today believe that, without the appropriate mechanism in place in the Irish Republic to compel evidence gathering about the Omagh bomb, things will be different this time around? I challenge the Taoiseach and the Irish Government: will they provide the same cover for the perpetrators of the Omagh bomb as they provided for the perpetrators of Kingsmills and of all other such atrocities throughout Northern Ireland? The facts and the evidence speak for themselves.”
“As Minister of Justice, you have to show that you have an interest in supporting and a desire to support the Omagh families in their request for the Irish Government to conduct a public inquiry similar to that which the UK Government have set up, with powers to compel people from the South to come forward and give evidence. <BR /> <BR />Whom does the Taoiseach think he is fooling with his fine words that Dublin will fully cooperate with the inquiry, without the proper powers being in place for one in the Republic? Let us weigh up the evidence, folks. We look at the Kingsmills inquest, to which the Irish Government's submission amounted to little more than newspaper clippings.”
“The fact remains that the Omagh bomb was planned, built and delivered from the South of Ireland. The proposer of the motion went into more detail on that issue. The Dublin Government cannot, therefore, wash their hands of those murders. The Justice Minister must ensure that she is not giving cover to that double standard. She must demonstrate practically her commitment to seeking parallel investigative mechanisms in the Irish Republic. <BR /> <BR />While the Taoiseach seeks to justify the Irish Government's long-standing position against holding a public inquiry, by stating that Dublin will ensure that there is full cooperation with the inquiry in Northern Ireland, the fact remains that the UK inquiry has no authority to call witnesses from the Republic or to compel them to give evidence.”
“While today's motion laments the lack of any tangible effort by the Irish Government to conduct an inquiry into the atrocity, we believe that it does not go far enough, and that is why we tabled the amendment. <BR /> <BR />A memorandum of understanding between the Omagh Bombing inquiry and the Irish Government will be entirely deficient in providing answers for the victims and their families. Therefore, the amendment calls on the Irish Government to do the honourable thing, as recommended by Judge Horner in 2021, and similarly hold an inquiry with the powers to compel any person in the Republic of Ireland to provide evidence, information and material pertinent to a full and unfettered investigation on behalf of the victims and survivors. <BR />We must not let the Irish Government off the hook on that issue.”
“In the past weeks, at the first stage of the inquiry, we have heard the harrowing testimonies of the victims' families and those affected by the Omagh bomb. No one could have sat through or listened to those sessions without being visibly moved. The testimonials have brought the horrors of that day to a new generation. <BR /> <BR />While, as a party, we stand with the victims' families as they fight for justice after the single-worst atrocity of the IRA's campaign of terror and bloodshed, we equally stand with the families of all the innocent victims throughout Northern Ireland, who were brutally murdered by terrorist organisations, in their quest for truth and justice.”
“Saturday 15 August 1998 is a date that is etched on the hearts and minds of many people in Omagh, throughout West Tyrone and beyond. That afternoon saw the fragile peace in Northern Ireland shattered when the Real IRA detonated a car bomb in Market Street, which killed 31 innocent people, including unborn twins, and injured over 220 others. The premeditated, murderous act of violence against humanity tore the very heart out of Omagh and left many families feeling deep sorrow and suffering. It caused the devastation of a generation of people. <BR /> <BR />For the past 27 years, many of the victims' families have suffered in silence as they continue to pursue a path to truth and justice. The announcement of the public inquiry, secured through the courts in 2021, brought a ray of hope to those families.”
“I urge the Minister to take urgent steps to address the situation by producing proposals that will provide hope, support and encouragement to women in the sector.”
“Should the Minister continue to focus on an aggressive net zero policy that fails to balance the importance of agriculture production, food security and the ongoing vitality of adequate farm support, that will inevitably lead not only to women but young men leaving the industry. <BR /> <BR />Representing the West Tyrone constituency, a vast rural area that is populated with many farm businesses, I see at first hand the support that women give and the role that they play on the family farm, from doing hands-on tasks to completing paperwork while balancing a part-time job and looking after the household's needs. In many of those families, the young girls perhaps do more work than the young fellas. That happens time and again. Support for women in the agriculture sector is therefore vital.”
“Reports from other jurisdictions have shown that government initiatives have borne fruit, with increasing numbers of women taking on job roles in the agriculture sector as a result. Although agriculture is an accessible career with plenty of opportunities, it nevertheless relies on new ideas and on the skills and talents of young men and women to provide it with a sustainable future. With the new Farming for the Generations scheme planned to commence in 2026, it is crucial that young women be involved in its design, as it has been proven through studies that they are more willing to invest in sustainable farming practices and technologies.”
“The Agriculture Minister must now step up to the mark by exploring options for supporting farming families as they develop and grow their business.”
“For the Minister and even the House, I suppose, to simply pay lip service to those recommendations and to fail to take action will be nothing short of an insult to women already in the sector and those planning to make it a future career. <BR /> <BR />The Northern Ireland Rural Women's Network (NIRWN) highlighted to the AERA Committee the two key issues facing women: childcare and caring responsibilities. The DUP Minister has delivered for working families through the childcare subsidy scheme, which makes working families £160 per month better off.”
“<BR /> <BR />Farming has always been and continues to be a challenging sector for everyone involved in it, regardless of age or gender, with our farmers having to work unsocial hours and contend with inclement weather, food production, global markets and all the other hurdles that they face daily. Therefore, if the House is serious about encouraging more women into the agriculture industry, action must be taken to remove the barriers that hinder them in coming into the sector. A number of those are highlighted in the motion today. However, delivering on those actions will require a change in attitude across society, and the Minister must take action on the recommendations in the 'Breaking the Grass Ceiling' Committee report.”
“For many years, women have played a significant role in our agriculture sector. However, they have never been fully recognised for the work that they have done or the support that they have provided to their family farm business. In other words, it was far too often taken for granted that that was simply part of their role as a farmer's wife. With agriculture being a catalyst for household prosperity and economic growth across Northern Ireland, not only is ensuring that farm businesses are profitable, productive and sustainable for the future essential but encouraging more women to have a career in the sector while promoting those already forging ahead in the industry is crucial.”
“I note and welcome the action that your Department has taken to protect the farming community in Northern Ireland. I note that your officials have discussed contingency plans for foot-and-mouth disease. Have those contingency plans been communicated to the wider farming community?”
“I thank the Minister for his comprehensive response. Does the Minister agree that the programme merits further development and building on?”
“— to come to the House and do the honourable thing by retracting her callous statement and apologising —.”
“— and therefore adding insult to those who are already grieving —”
“<BR /> <BR />On 4 August 2022, First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, said that there was "no alternative" to the IRA's armed campaign. That is a gross insult to the many innocent victims of IRA terrorism. To date, she has refused to withdraw that comment. We can therefore only assume that she still fully supports the murder by the IRA of those people in Castlederg and those throughout the rest of Northern Ireland. I challenge the First Minister, rather than continuing to commemorate and glorify IRA murderers —”
“In July 1984, four months after that brutal murder, Private Norman McKinley, who was the best man at Thomas Loughlin's wedding, and Private Heather Kerrigan, who was bridesmaid to and sister of the bride, were murdered in an IRA attack at the border near Castlederg while on patrol in the area. Three of the four people in the wedding photo that hangs in that home were brutally murdered in that short space of time, with the bride being the only one left. No one has been brought to justice for those callous and cold-blooded murders. In 1993, self-confessed IRA informer Declan "Beano" Casey from Strabane was mentioned in connection with Mr Loughlin's murder and linked, in newspaper reports, to other murders in the Castlederg area, yet he has never been brought to book for what was carried out.”
“Many people in the area who were leaving for work that morning spoke of the sheer horrific nature of the scenes that they faced, with young children who were getting ready to go to school having to be shielded from the devastation outside their homes. A young mother was left without a husband, and a three-month-old baby was robbed of a father, whom she was never to know. That is a family torn apart and a community left devastated by bloodthirsty murderers who had no thought or care for the anarchy that they created or the sorrow that they left behind. <BR /> <BR />Why was Thomas Loughlin murdered? Simply because he was a Protestant; there is no other explanation, and yet we are told that there was no alternative to that.”
“Today, I want the House to remember the brutal murder of Thomas Loughlin, a part-time lance corporal in the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR). He was fatally injured on 2 March 1984 by an IRA booby trap bomb that was planted under his vehicle. Mr Loughlin, a Water Service employee from the Spamount area of Castlederg, had just got into his vehicle outside his home in Drumnabey Park and moved a short distance when the bomb exploded, fatally wounding him. His wife had been waving from the doorway of their home that morning, with their three-month-old baby in her arms, when the explosion happened, which blew him out of the vehicle and caused damage to the surrounding homes in the street. Neighbours took the child while she ran to comfort her husband as he lay dying on the road awaiting the ambulance to arrive.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. I know some of the benefits that this has brought to some of the folk who have received it. Can the Minister, at this early stage, give any indication of how many people might have benefited from the scheme?”
“The BBC's impartiality has been in question since the attacks on 7 October 2023. It has repeatedly refused to call Hamas terrorists despite Hamas being listed as a terrorist organisation by the UK Government. Last week, the world witnessed the heartbreaking return in coffins of the Bibas children, who were murdered by Hamas. It is without a shadow of doubt that Hamas are terrorists solely intent on murdering the Jewish people. I strongly urge the BBC to look into its organisational hierarchy, as deep antisemitic views appear to be rooted in it that it needs to address urgently, if it wants to be considered as impartial reporters ever again.”
“The producer should also have asked whether there was permission for them to be shown in the documentary. A little research shows that a member of the documentary's production crew celebrated the massacre of the Israeli people on 7 October 2023. It was only after questions were raised about the children who featured in the show that the BBC added a disclaimer to clarify their links to Hamas. Following fierce criticism over the weekend, however, the show has now been deleted from its streaming services altogether. <BR /> <BR />The broadcasting of the documentary was nothing short of a propaganda stunt for Hamas, promoted by the BBC. Questions must now be asked about whether the BBC used licence fee money, paid by the public, to produce the documentary and about whether the BBC made payments to Hamas officials.”
“Over the past week, the BBC has, once again, shown its true colours with the broadcasting of the documentary 'Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone', which featured prominently family members of the terrorist group Hamas. The documentary, which first aired on BBC 2 on Monday evening last week, centred around the 14-year-old narrator, who is a son of the Deputy Minister of Agriculture in the Hamas-run Government. Another child in the documentary is the daughter of a former captain in the Hamas-run police force. A third child was pictured posing with Hamas fighters. I fail to understand how the BBC did not know whom the children in the documentary were. One of the first questions that a BBC producer should have asked was, "Who are the parents of these children?".”
“<BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party talks about being on the side of the farmer. When will the Alliance Party waken up to the fact that it is not on the side of the farmer — far from it. All that it has to do is to go out into rural communities to see that, far from the farmers supporting that party, they are totally against the way in which it is driving agriculture policy forward. Therefore, I urge the House to support our prayer of annulment against the regulations.”
“If we support the regulations, we are, in fact, driving the wedge further, separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom. Is that what people in this House really want? <BR /> <BR />We will not accept the undermining of the United Kingdom internal market in this way. As my colleague Michelle McIlveen said when she proposed the motion, the bottom line is that there should be no circumstances in which exports into the EU from Northern Ireland are distinguished from those that enter the EU from other parts of the United Kingdom. If others in the House want to implement EU law, which we have no say or control over, that is a matter for them, but I want to make it clear that the Democratic Unionist Party will not be implementing EU law over which we have no control or no say in, nor can we be expected to implement it.”
“I will make a few comments in my winding-up speech on the prayer of annulment. The Animals (Identification, Records, Movement and Enforcement) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 are nothing short of a devious move to implement further EU law in Northern Ireland. Therefore, it is no surprise in the House that the Alliance Party and others support the regulations. By implementing these changes to EU animal health law, we are drawing a clear distinction in law and in practice between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. <BR /> <BR />When the departmental officials were questioned on the regulations in the AERA Committee, they were clear in their response that they do not apply to Great Britain. I ask the Minister and others: why not? Why apply the regulations to Northern Ireland when they are not being applied in GB?”
“Moreover, there is long-standing concern that Committees are not provided with sufficiently detailed information in adequate time for scrutiny or, indeed, with the presence of officials to analyse Departments' bids, expenditure and future spending. In particular, Departments ought to provide briefings on bids for monitoring rounds no later than seven days following their submissions to the Department of Finance, as stipulated in legislation. <BR /> <BR />Those issues must be adequately dealt with because, given all the pressures in all the Departments, we cannot continue to sustain such exorbitant overspends. We will therefore continue to scrutinise the issues to make sure that budget is spent in the most efficient and effective way.”
“<BR /> <BR />As a member of the Public Accounts Committee, I will turn to public services for a moment. Although investment in public services is vital, so is ensuring that projects are delivered on time and within budget. Perhaps the parties that relentlessly call for the devolution of further fiscal powers should focus their attention on tackling some of the preventable waste in the system. The scale of financial mismanagement in the Northern Ireland Civil Service is deeply concerning. The recent revelation of a £2·45 billion overspend on major capital projects raises serious questions about oversight, accountability and the responsible use of taxpayers' money. <BR /> <BR />It is clear that accountability mechanisms are wholly inadequate: the Northern Ireland Civil Service board does not have proper oversight.”
“In these challenging financial times, with small margins and high input costs, it is imperative that the Budget supports the vitality of farm businesses and promotes profitable and productive agriculture. The increase in employers' National Insurance contributions will have a huge financial bearing on our farm businesses in terms of their labour costs. Coupled with the inheritance tax proposals, that has the potential to be the end of the road for many farm businesses, yet I do not see in the Budget any mitigating measures to help farm businesses absorb the extra National Insurance costs. It is therefore vital that the Finance Minister leaves no stone unturned in making the case for the Treasury to fully fund those costs and that he continues to lobby for the reversal of the proposed change in inheritance tax.”
“It is, therefore, clear that the current proposed allocation falls far short of what is needed to proactively tackle the disease. I urge the Finance Minister to reflect on the prospective impact of not adequately funding TB compensation or future interventions. Going forward, we must see positive action from the AERA Minister in introducing proposals to deal with what has been a long-standing issue for many years.”
“<BR /> <BR />One of the huge financial pressures on the Department's budget is bovine TB. Almost £56 million was spent on the control of TB in the past year, and, whilst current estimates indicate a rise in programme costs of approximately £60 million for this financial year, the current situation with respect to dealing with bovine TB in the next financial year is not only stark but, we believe, unsustainable. The veterinary service animal health group projects an increase in compensation of £14·2 million above the £32·3 million baseline, yet the Minister proposes to allocate just £3·6 million, leaving a significant shortfall of some £10·6 million. There is also a project deficit of £3 million in the Department's proactive work in reducing TB incidence.”
“I welcome the opportunity to make a few comments at the Second Stage of the Budget Bill as a member of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. The Chair of the Committee highlighted a number of issues yesterday, so I will keep my comments brief. <BR /> <BR />Our agriculture industry and farm businesses are the cornerstone of the rural economy and are fundamental to our local communities and rural life. I welcome the fact that the agriculture support fund has been ring-fenced as part of the draft Executive Budget for 2025-25. I would, however, have liked to see it increase in line with inflation. Direct farm support is essential to our farming, the agriculture sector and, by extension, the Northern Ireland economy. Therefore, it is vital that this statement of intent be built upon in future financial years.”
“The message is quite clear: if we do not have policies that support the sustainability of the agriculture sector, which is the backbone of our economy and our communities, our economy will suffer, our food production will suffer, and the prosperity of that great industry will suffer. Where there are no farms, there is no food and no future for the upcoming generations in our agriculture industry. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Minister here today to hear and respond to the debate. I support the call from my colleague Michelle McIlveen for the Minister to do more to help the farming community in Northern Ireland. As Mr Butler said, words without action are no good. We need to see tangible actions from this Minister that show that he is genuine in going forward to support the farming community in Northern Ireland if we want to see it survive.”
“<BR /> <BR />Given that 79% of farm businesses in Northern Ireland are classified as small farms, some of those could remain under the tax threshold where there is some form of diversification; for example, contracting businesses, holiday accommodation or renewable energy production. However, it is increasingly clear that, over time, even small farms such as those would be pulled over the threshold, especially when inflation is taken into account. The net effect of the proposals will, effectively, leave working farms in a much poorer financial state and will, undoubtedly, discourage the next generation from taking up the reins or investing in carrying farming forward into the future.”
“It was noted that if the tax charge for a 67-head lowland suckler herd in sole ownership was £297,000, that farm business would have to pay £29,700 a year over a 10-year period. That is unsustainable for any farm business. <BR /> <BR />Furthermore, the assessment highlights just how difficult it would be for a new farm successor to invest and develop the business when it is required. Financial pressures created by the inheritance tax changes would prevent farmers from investing in new technologies, the uptake of which is needed to help meet environmental targets as set by DAERA and, of course, the stringent targets that have been set by the AERA Minister in Northern Ireland. That includes farm renewables, low-emission slurry spreading, air pollution reduction technology and the restoration of habitats.”