Philip McGuigan
North Antrim · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I concur with the Minister that patient safety is ultimately the top priority, but patient safety is also important, as the Member said, in terms of assessments. If you cannot get assessments, your safety is compromised.”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Further to my party colleague's point of order about the DUP's internal investigation, what is the point of doing an investigation if you are telling us that you have nothing to answer for? You were the leader of the DUP at a time when accusations were levelled against Jeffrey Donaldson.”
“Minister, in your previous answers you talked about the pressures and the difficulties. You said that you were looking for a fair funding model, and you spoke of the need for taxpayers here to be treated equitably.”
“Minister, the inquiry found systematic abuse, neglect and serious governance failure at Muckamore Abbey Hospital over many years — failures that were not isolated incidents but reflected systematic issues across leadership, staffing, safeguarding and oversight that resulted in decades of physical and psychological abuse.”
“When I engage with health service sectors as my party's health spokesperson, there is not one that does not talk about workforce pressures and problems with staff recruitment and retention. That is clearly the case with doctors.”
“First Minister, you have spoken previously about the opportunities created as a result of our unique economic and trading position and about the increased potential that comes with all-island cooperation.”
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“I thank the staff of the Bill Office, who were helpful to us in preparing our amendments. I also thank the Sinn Féin team, who have supported us MLAs during the work on what people might consider to be the most important legislation to be brought to the Chamber. <BR /> <BR />As I have stated, I do not believe that the 82% greenhouse gas emissions target is ambitious enough. I believe that, today, we can meet the Paris agreement commitments and our ambitions in the North and play our part in the fightback against global warming, with a target of net zero by 2050. Following on from that amendment and the 2050 target, we need targets for 2030 and 2040 to ensure that we have a smooth transition to 2050. In amendment No 6, my party states that the Department must come back with those targets within two years of the Act's passing.”
“I am coming towards dealing with the amendments, and I have given way plenty. <BR /> <BR />That is all feasible and affordable. The costs of climate change for the economy and society will be much higher than the cost of fighting climate change now. <BR /> <BR />Agriculture is important. I have delved into that issue, back and forth, in response to interventions. We all need to remember that agriculture and farmers play a key role in maintaining our land and biodiversity. They are also a critical component of the rural economy. Policies to tackle food etc must put agriculture front and centre. <BR /> <BR />At this point, I thank the departmental officials for their engagement with the Committee throughout the process and for the work that they have done on the Bill to bring forward some of the amendments.”
“Producing more energy locally from green, renewable sources instead of fossil fuels must be the way forward. Together with increasing energy savings through energy-efficient products and processes, we can end our dependence on fossil fuels.”
“We can improve active travel provision — I can satisfy Mervyn Storey's demand that I cycle everywhere — and policies that impact on climate, congestion and the health and well-being of citizens, ultimately helping to reduce costs and pressures on our health service. Refurbishing buildings will provide big opportunities in the construction industry. Investment in new and emerging technologies will, again, lead to job creation. <BR /> <BR />In the winter that we have experienced, with rising fuel costs that severely impact on the quality of life of our most vulnerable, who could argue against greater investment in renewable energy sources, helping, ultimately, to reduce costs to consumers but also offering secure supplies to all our citizens?”
“In our amendments, we in Sinn Féin are sending a clear message that, as with all legislation, we are standing up for workers, families and communities across all sectors of the North's society. Ambitious targets are needed to send a signal to business on the way forward. If we do that right, we will allow for confident investment and the creation of new and green well-paid jobs. We can produce the template that prepares our economy for improved competitiveness and economic growth without being prescriptive on future actions. <BR /> <BR />It is clear that climate legislation will improve air quality. We can seize the opportunity for improved and more efficient public transport in our cities and rural areas.”
“It will also show the importance that we put on our people and our communities, the way that we will live our lives and the future that we want to provide for our children and grandchildren.”
“Today is about the Assembly, hopefully, agreeing to move forward on landmark and historic legislation on the North's fightback against global warming.”
“As I was saying, I am getting dragged into a debate about agriculture policy. I have made the point that that is the Minister's Department. I wish that he would do a better job than he is currently doing for the hill farmers in the glens of north Antrim. Tackling climate should be a positive discussion. It is a positive thing to do. It will bring many more benefits than it will negatives to the people whom we represent. The citizens of the North are entitled to the best air quality possible, to rivers and lakes free from pollution and to thriving biodiversity. Tackling climate change is necessary to create a resilient and sustainable future. At the same time, it provides economic opportunities, which flow from creating a growing green economy. The debate is not about agriculture or its future.”
“I am not giving way any more. I have lost my place. I now have no idea where I am at.”
“That is what the South is doing over the next 10 years to reduce its emissions from agriculture. If anybody, including KPMG and the Ulster Farmers' Union, is telling me that we cannot do that here in the North over the next 10 years, my God, I am sorry.”
“I am going to read this out. Measures include:”
“I am not going to disparage any account, but I note that KPMG did a similar assessment of agriculture in the South. I have made the point that the South is a step ahead of us in moving towards net zero by 2050. It has produced a plan. I can read from its plan that, by 2030, it intends to reduce agriculture emissions by between 22% and 30%.”
“I take the point. Both Members have stated that as if it is some kind of grand announcement that I did not attend the UFU meeting in Loughguile. They failed to inform the House that I sent my constituency manager along to represent me at that meeting. I rang the gentleman whose farm the meeting was on to apologise and tell him why I was not able to go. I also asked him to arrange a meeting that I would be able to attend and to give my phone number to the farmers who were there in order for them to give me a call. I have been taking calls all week from people in agriculture. I do not know what point you are trying to make about my not attending a meeting. I sent a representative on my behalf. It is not really —”
“Key to all of this are amendments that we are proposing throughout the legislation to add the protection of public and sectoral consultation and an Assembly vote. I think —”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Those issues will be addressed later. <BR /> <BR />Going beyond a just transition and a just transition commission, we suggest that, when Departments develop carbon budgets, they must take account of, for example, the competitiveness of a particular sector of the economy. That could apply specifically to agriculture. The specific economic and social role of agriculture, including the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane, is another factor that will have to be looked at. There is also the risk of substantial and unreasonable carbon leakage. The Member across the Chamber has made that point a number of times. We are not suggesting that we do anything to impact on our agriculture industry and then import beef. That is important to say.”
“That is a very pertinent question. Unfortunately —”
“No, I will make a few points before I give way again. <BR /> <BR />We also propose a just transition commission. People have asked how just transition will work. It is important that we bring the sectors — including the agri-food sector, farmers, businesses, trade unions and the public — together to work out how exactly just transition will work under the Bill. <BR /> <BR />On specific things for agriculture, we have amendments —”
“The most important thing about the Bill is that it will not be imposed upon anybody, and particularly that the most vulnerable in our society will not be made to pick up the pieces from it. In my view, a just transition should be central to it, and we will support amendments on just transition.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. No matter how much I try to keep a climate Bill debate on the totality of the subject, I always seem to be dragged into a debate about agriculture. I understand the importance of the agri-food sector, and I welcomed Mrs Dodds' intervention on that. Moy Park is obviously very important to my constituency. It is suffering as a result of Brexit in that it cannot get workers. Some of its work has moved elsewhere as a result of the immigration policies of the British Home Office. <BR /> <BR />The Member asked a specific question. Sinn Féin and others have introduced specific amendments that I hope will be supported when it comes to voting. Those amendments will add protection for every sector.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. As a member of the AERA Committee, I sat through six to eight months of evidence from right across the sectors: businesses, science experts and the agri-food sector. I have listened to and dissected all the arguments that have come before me. Others have made the point that we are not asking people to do something above and beyond what is being achieved elsewhere without the destruction of agriculture. Sinn Féin —”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. He reminded me of a phone call that I received yesterday from a hill sheep farmer in the glens. I had forgotten it, but the Member has reminded me. The farmer was extremely critical of the Minister's agricultural policy proposals. In fact, the words that he used were that the Minister's proposals are "discriminating against" sheep farmers in the glens. The DUP has little to talk about on defending rural communities or farmers in my community. It might serve the DUP to use that argument as a deflection from its bad policy-setting record, but people out there will not be fooled by it.”
“So I will not take any lectures from the Member across the House about protecting rural communities. Sinn Féin will stand on its record of defending rural communities, and we have tabled plenty of amendments to the Bill to protect rural and all other communities in the North as best we can. <BR /> <BR />I will give way.”
“I should declare an interest, as I have immediate family members who are farmers, I represent a rural community and, at times, I was brought up on a farm. <BR /> <BR />I am not the one, unlike the Members opposite, who forced Brexit on us. Brexit has led to trade deals with Australia and New Zealand. The other day, at the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, we were told that, within 15 years, when quotas are reduced, the Australian market will be able to displace the whole agricultural sector of this island. Whilst we are discussing net zero targets for greenhouse gas emissions today, the Members opposite have produced a Brexit deal that, in all likelihood, will produce net zero agriculture by 2036 because of their actions.”
“I thank the Member, I suppose, for his intervention. He makes a very important and valid point on political opportunism, which was also made by Andrew Muir. It was that we need to do things much better than we are. A just transition is vital for rural communities because we need to ensure that no community is left behind. I want to be able to cycle to my place of work, but, because of our infrastructure and lack of accessible public transport, I am unable to do so. That is why I used a car today. Hopefully, if a climate Bill is passed, in 15 years, I will be able to cycle to my place of work. <BR /> <BR />I have talked about science. I am glad that the Members opposite have discovered science. I see that they have also discovered the meaning of the word "irony". The Member talks about the agricultural community.”
“They included, but were not limited to, wildfires, flooding, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, threats to natural carbon sinks and an increase in pests, pathogens and invasive species. Along with the extreme weather events that we all recognise, those things, if not addressed, will continue to have an impact on us. <BR /> <BR />On the basis of the science, I will support amendment No 2, which sets a net zero emission target by 2050, and all the amendments that flow from it. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the fact that the Minister and the Department have introduced climate legislation — I wish that they had done so sooner — but that does not mean that it could not be better. I hope, through the amendments today and tomorrow, that we can move a step closer to having not only a historic Climate Bill but one that we can all be proud of.”
“The 234 scientists from 66 countries who compiled that report from more than 14,000 scientific papers were unanimous in their decision that the world's Governments are not doing enough and not acting fast enough. That was the stark scientific assessment just five months ago. Minister, 82% will not cut it, I am afraid. We in the North cannot allow ourselves to lag behind on climate. Global warming is not something for others to tackle on our behalf or a problem that impacts only on those living elsewhere. The third climate change risk assessment report, released in June last year, identified 61 specific threats to the North that are caused by climate change. More than half were categorised as being in the most immediate level of urgency, and all but 11 have increased in urgency since the last report.”
“I have no doubt, because I have heard it a number of times today, that we will hear an awful lot about science. It is important to begin my contribution by stating that the science on climate change is irrefutable and very, very clear. Global warming is having and will continue to have, if decisive action is not taken, an increasingly devastating impact on our world. As a result of the clear scientific facts, the Paris agreement spelt out that, if we are to limit global warming to 1·5°C, we need, collectively, to reach net zero by 2050. As a legislature in this jurisdiction, that is the science and the ambition that we all need to follow. <BR /> <BR />Five months ago, the international scientific community released its sixth assessment report on climate, which revealed that, globally, we are already on track to miss the Paris target.”
“On a point of order, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. In that case, why would any Member not be able to move amendment No 2?”
“I thank and praise those involved in community search and rescue. I have taken part in a few of their fundraising events locally. I welcome this funding, know that it will be used well and thank the Minister for his statement. <BR /> <BR />In the context of the challenges presented by COVID-19 and in ensuring that rural tourism is a sustainable priority intervention, as you mentioned in your statement, what is your Department doing to ensure that there is a focus on the all-island domestic tourism market and the cross-border partnership that is required for us to benefit from it?”
“Minister, in your statement, you said that one of the important lessons from the consultation was the lessons learned from the LEADER programme, in particular the importance of a bottom-up approach in engaging local communities. Local action groups were allocated a budget to pursue the strategic objectives that were developed by the communities that they represented, so the LAGs identified local needs and strategies. Minister, how, and will, your Department guarantee that local needs are identified and local strategies developed to address those local needs?”
“I appreciate the Minister's answer. In his energy strategy, he avoids the issue of a ban on petroleum licensing. To a certain degree, he is still avoiding that issue. Will the Minister do the right thing and let us know when he intends to bring forward the ban on petroleum licensing?”
“Does the Minister agree that robust and ambitious legislation to address climate change and extreme weather events that may happen in the North is essential in order to protect the future of agriculture and all other sections of society in the North?”
“I have no doubt that the Minister knows fine well that the private Member's Bill has the support of all the parties in here, with the exception of the DUP, and that, across this island, Sinn Féin speaks with one voice. <BR /> <BR />The Minister will, no doubt, remember the extreme snowfall in the spring of 2013, which resulted in the North, but particularly my constituency of North Antrim, being covered in snow, with drifts as high as 10 feet. That snowfall resulted in the death of 17,098 sheep and goats and 535 cattle, caused much structural damage to many farms and cost the Executive £5 million in compensation.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. He has clearly identified how serious the virus is. In his response to Mr Blair, he talked about the monitoring. Will he further clarify how his Department will make sure that biosecurity is carried out in individual poultry premises within the 3 kilometre and 10 kilometre control zones? Beyond those control zones, what type of monitoring is his Department doing?”
“<BR /> <BR />Fund payments are absolutely essential to the business models of both racecourses, so it is vital that there is no further delay in payments being made to support the sustainability and viability of racing activity at both sites. Horse racing not only provides a social outlet for fans but generates a significant boost for the local hospitality, accommodation and retail sectors. The Bill will overcome the legislative obstacles that have prevented payments and will also militate against any such scenario arising in the future by introducing generic definitions of racecourse operators and enabling a more expeditious route for making changes to the details of course owners. The AERA Committee is therefore supportive of the passage of the Bill.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak briefly today as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs at the Final Stage of the Horse Racing (Amendment) Bill. The Committee welcomes the passage of the Bill and the contributions made by Members through the legislative process. Whilst the Bill is largely technical in nature, it is absolutely essential to restore the ability of Downpatrick and Down Royal racecourses to be able to apply for payments from the horse racing fund, which they have been prevented from doing in recent times because of legislative restrictions in the Horse Racing Order 1990.”
“The Department has already indicated that we will not see any legislation from the energy strategy in this mandate. Others have already indicated the urgency of the issues, not least the need to decarbonise and the massive impact of the rising cost of energy. At the very least, will the Minister indicate what aspects of the strategy will be brought forward, and can he give a commitment that this will be done as soon as possible in the next mandate?”
“Childcare costs are obviously a significant barrier to employment for many families, particularly those on low incomes, so the Minister's initiative is positive and welcome. Does she agree, however, that a dedicated and cross-cutting childcare strategy is required if we are to address the systemic issues that make childcare a difficulty for so many families?”
“If one or both those tests were to fail, a defendant would be able to claim self-defence. The Committee was advised that the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) would be responsible for assessing whether the tests would apply in any case brought under the legislation. <BR /> <BR />Notwithstanding that issue, the Committee supports the Bill, which will strengthen the protections in place locally for service animals carrying out vital work to support the public good. The Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is therefore content to support the passage of the Bill to Consideration Stage.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee sought assurances that a defendant would be safeguarded in the scenario of an officer irresponsibly directing a service animal to attack or harass an individual or if the animal did so independently. The Department advised that two tests in the Bill would have to be met in order for the protections to apply. First, the service animal must be under the control of a relevant officer. Therefore, if there is evidence that an animal acted without an officer's direction or the handler neglected to control the animal appropriately, the protection would not be enforced. Secondly, the relevant officer must direct the service animal reasonably when carrying out his or her duty. Should an officer maliciously instruct an animal to attack a person, the test would therefore fail.”
“For example, should the PSNI bring in specialist search and rescue dogs for a particular operation, those animals would be afforded protection under the Bill for the course of any activities carried out under the control of a police officer. The Committee agrees with the scope of protection afforded by the Bill in that regard but noted that some stakeholders felt that the protections could be extended further. The Department advised the Committee that it will be able to add to the list of animals that will receive automatic protection in the future via regulations, should evidence emerge of a need to expand protections.”
“The Bill has two clauses and proposes to amend the Welfare of Animals Act 2011 to enhance the protection of service animals if they experience suffering while under the control of a relevant officer. In practical terms, the Committee was advised, the definition of "relevant officer" will extend protection to service animals employed for use by the police, Prison Service and checking authorities at Belfast Harbour and Belfast International Airport. It will also provide a legal safeguard for animals that are not directly owned by any of those organisations but are engaged temporarily under their control for specific purposes.”
“The Committee recognises the strength of feeling across the House in favour of the adoption of the legislation. There was cross-party support during a debate in February 2020 calling for a Bill that would put in place in the North similar provisions to Finn's law. In May 2021, the Department informed the Committee of its intention to consult on legislative proposals in the area and provided a briefing on the outcomes on 7 October 2021. The Committee notes the overwhelmingly positive support for the Bill from stakeholder organisations and members of the public and considers that it likely reflects the opinion of society at large.”
“I welcome the opportunity to outline the Committee's views on the Bill that the Minister has introduced. The Committee supports the proposed legislation, which will ensure that perpetrators who harm animals when they are carrying out their duties cannot rely on the argument of self-defence. <BR /> <BR />I am sure that all Members will empathise with the story of Finn, a police German shepherd dog that was stabbed in 2016 while apprehending an armed assailant. The attack left Finn with life-threatening wounds to his head and chest. While, thankfully, Finn survived, the incident sparked a campaign to enhance the legal safeguards for service animals, culminating in the passage of Finn's law in 2019 at Westminster. That law largely reflects the Bill before us today.”
“<BR /> <BR />Although the Committee understands the need for effective scrutiny and believes that accelerated passage should be used only in exceptional circumstances, it is minded not to oppose the motion, in view of the fact that it welcomes the overarching principles of the Bill to increase legal safeguards for service animals. It will establish safeguards similar to those in other jurisdictions. There is clear, strong support for the legislation right across the board: from stakeholders, members of the public and, indeed, Members across the House. <BR /> <BR />The Bill is not controversial, and it proposes simple amendments to existing legislation. The Department carried out an extensive consultation exercise on the legislative process. The Committee will therefore not oppose the motion for accelerated passage.”
“I welcome the opportunity to articulate the views of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on the motion to facilitate accelerated passage for the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill. <BR /> <BR />The Minister wrote to the Committee on 29 September 2021 seeking its support in principle to introduce the Bill and for a motion for accelerated passage. The Committee invited the Minister to brief it on 14 October about his request. He explained the rationale for seeking accelerated passage, given the legislation's aims and the context of the workload anticipated to be brought through the Assembly before the end of the mandate.”
“Minister, I note in your comments that there were discussions on climate change that stemmed from COP26. Did they include discussions on the delivery of robust climate change legislation across these islands?”
“I will follow on from the two previous questions. In the interests of animal welfare, can the Minister confirm that he has enough veterinary staff in the Department to carry out the checks at Larne?”
“It is as if you are trying to troll us, Minister. Given this statement and its fine words, do you feel embarrassed that, if you have your way, it will fit into an unambitious climate Bill with 82% targets that will allow the North to continue to be a climate laggard?”
“Minister, "aspirations", "support", "ambition", "urgent", "vision", "inspire", "lead" and "leadership" are words that are dotted throughout your statement. You said that:”