John O'Dowd
Upper Bann · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“As I set out in response to the previous question, we have in place the vacant property rate relief scheme and the small business rate relief scheme, which are very successful. I set aside £10 million in the draft Budget for small business rate relief to be invested.”
“I am particularly keen to hear from those impacted by vacant commercial units and especially about how any phased increase can be implemented in a sustainable way that is fair, proportionate and sustainable within the tax system.”
“I outlined my intent to take that approach in my statement on 18 November, alongside the fact that reform of rating policy should support growth, make better use of property and ensure that the system is fair, proportionate and aligned with wider economic objectives.”
“The accelerator will operate alongside our highly successful Back in Business scheme, which has helped to bring over 100 vacant high street properties back into use since May 2024. Those issues have been the subject of considerable interest and comment in the Assembly, and it is right that we grasp the nettle now.”
“There are no circumstances in which a hard border would be good for the people of Ireland; it would not be good for anyone. Those who suggest that are being naive at best and dangerous at worst, in the sense of not understanding this society. <BR /> <BR />Rural communities along the border are one and the same.”
“This announcement represents the next step in that. That said, I also put on record my intention to strengthen support for small businesses. In that vein, £10 million has been set aside in the draft Budget to broaden the impact of the small business rate relief scheme in order to increase the number of businesses that can benefit from it.…”
The complete record
Every one of 6,140 lines we hold for John O'Dowd, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 47 of 123.
“After the period of cold weather in early January, I asked a similar question in the Department about whether we could use farmers to grit a number of rural roads. If I am correct, the Department can, through its procurement exercises, hold a list of contractors, and individual farmers could be on that list. It is something that we should explore. The Member is right: if we have people in the community with the equipment, skill set and knowledge to help us out, we should use them as much as we can. I will examine that further with officials in the time ahead.”
“It is clear that farming communities once again stepped up to the mark and cleared a lot of debris off roads and removed trees etc, and I welcome that. I appeal, however, to anyone who is proposing to clear fallen trees or debris from roads not to do so if they have any concerns whatever. If cables are down, take it for granted that they are live, and let the professionals deal with them. However, I thank the members of the farming community who have helped out thus far.”
“Belfast thrived because of its local communities, so it is almost a case of giving the city back to them.”
“I do. Roads present barriers and divide communities physically. If there is a busy two-, three- or four-lane road running between communities, that is a physical barrier, even to their development. Such roads can prevent them from getting, for example, local shops or community infrastructure. The transport plan and 'A Bolder Vision for Belfast' have to be about opening up the city by removing those barriers, but it also has to be about making it cleaner and greener. Yes, allow people to use a private vehicle when necessary but also provide space for public transport and active travel, whether that be walking, cycling or wheeling. You can give the city a bolder vision, but it would be a radical vision for the city to allow it to be opened up for its people.”
“The last ministerial meeting on 'A Bolder Vision for Belfast' was in 2022. Since then, my officials have had ongoing engagement and discussions with project officials from Belfast City Council and the Department for Communities. There is an acknowledgement that the eastern transport plan, which I discussed earlier, will play a significant part in detailing and delivering the transport aspects of 'A Bolder Vision'. As a result, it was agreed that the 'A Bolder Vision' strategy would be revised once there was more clarity on the eastern transport plan and the city centre proposals. That work and engagement continues, with Belfast City Council being a key leader in that regard.”
“No matter how well resourced Departments are or how well they have planned, if there are people in the community who are prepared to work with them and take measures, the safety and well-being of the community will increase almost twofold. I therefore look forward to learning the lessons from Newcastle, and I encourage others to follow its path.”
“As has been the experience during the most recent event, there is a strategic contingency group that oversees the preparation for storms and how agencies work together with local communities to mitigate the impact. There are always lessons to be learned, however, and I look forward to rearranging the meeting with the group in Newcastle, just to hear about its real-time experience and determine the lessons that can be learned from that. <BR /> <BR />The residents' groups and business groups that come together are a vital cog in our defence against upcoming storms.”
“I had hoped to meet the contingency group that is established in Newcastle last Thursday, but that meeting had to be rearranged, partly as a result of the incoming storm. We are looking to see how we can continue to support communities and businesses in Newcastle, County Down, to alleviate their flooding concerns. There has been significant investment, and lessons have been learned from that. I understand that there may be a need for NI Water to make some investment in the area and to put in a pumping station to direct water back towards the river. My Department has inspected its network and gullies etc to ensure that the challenge that we face now, which is surface run-off, will not cause flooding problems in future, inasmuch as you can mitigate that threat, given that it depends on the strength of the storm.”
“I am happy to do so. The key to it is that we are providing information to the public. It has to be said that, by and large, the public paid heed to the warnings that were delivered before the weather event. There were no deaths or serious injuries as a direct result of the weather event itself, and we all have to be thankful for that. We do not want anyone to be seriously injured or hurt, and the work of the emergency responders was made a lot easier in that regard. I am happy to work with my counterparts in Dublin to ensure that we have a common message coming out.”
“I am satisfied, however, that my Department was preparing for a major and significant weather event even before the warning turned red.”
“My Department had been preparing for the storm since the various weather warnings were issued. It has to be remembered that, even when it was at the amber stage, that is still a quite significant weather event. The difference between amber and red is that red indicates a significant threat to life, and there is a recommendation not to travel. The amber warning is also significant, however, so my Department was preparing on that basis. <BR /> <BR />At this stage, everybody is aware of why there is a difference between the two jurisdictions in how they measure a weather event. I think that there is some work going on between the met offices to bring in a standard, which would be very helpful and would cause less confusion moving forward.”
“The advice of the engineers in my Department, who have the professional qualifications to advise me on such matters, is that dredging would not assist in the case of the Quoile river and may make matters worse by causing the water to flow faster, perhaps causing significant issues downstream etc. <BR /> <BR />On the Member's behalf, I will go back to officials and ask whether there is any further update, and I will let him know. At the moment, however, that is the information that I have in front of me.”
“The Member will be aware that the matter has, understandably, been raised with me a number of times. That has been the case for a number of other watercourses, each of which can tell its own story.”
“For Downpatrick waste water treatment works, there were no occasions when the number of individual parameters exceeded the number of allowed fails, meaning that the works has been assessed as compliant with the regulatory quality discharge standards for the past five years.”
“<BR /> <BR />Two types of sample are collected for regulatory compliance assessment, namely, spot samples for assessment of the water order consent compliance; and composite samples for assessment of compliance against the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations 2007. Spot samples are collected instantaneously by the sampling contractor, while composite samples are taken by the auto-sampler over a 24-hour period at 15-minute intervals. The treated effluent discharge from Downpatrick waste water treatment works has a sample frequency of 24 times per year, and the sampling parameters are based on the standards in the discharge consent issued by NIEA. NI Water's sampling, including sample collection and analysis, is accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS).”
“The Member will be aware that I have already responded on the matter through the five questions for written answer that he has tabled in recent weeks about discharge into the Quoile river. NI Water has advised that Downpatrick waste water treatment works currently treats waste water in line with the parameters and limits set in its discharge consent issued by the Environment Agency. The continuous final treated effluent discharge from Downpatrick waste water treatment works into the Quoile river is subject to an operator self-monitoring announced sampling programme agreed with the Environment Agency.”
“I will continue to lobby for more money for NI Water, and my Executive colleagues are on the same page as me. We will continue to look at the other methods as well.”
“One of the first debates that I responded to in the Chamber was on a motion that referred to the introduction of mutualisation. At that stage, I set it out clearly that information was available to me that mutualisation would lead to domestic water charges. That was in March or April 2024. To date, no one has provided contradictory information to that. If anyone can come forward with a report, research or information that is different from that, I will happily examine it, as will my officials. <BR /> <BR />There is no magic or easy solution to this. NI Water faces huge challenges, but name me a public service that does not. My job is to find solutions. I have set out in front of you today three of the pathways that I am following. One of those has already borne fruit: a £19 million investment has delivered over 2,300 connections.”
“There has been significant damage to the environment, and companies are in serious debt, on the brink of collapse, and may even have to be nationalised again. Billions and billions of pounds of families' and workers' money went into those companies, but those people never saw the benefit of it.”
“Several reviews have been carried out over the years. All of them have come to the same conclusions. Anyone standing in my shoes could change the funding model for NI Water. They could bring in privatisation or mutualisation etc. However, all the reviews came to the conclusion that changing the model would require the introduction of domestic water charges. I am clear on this, as are many others in the Chamber: there will be no introduction of domestic water charges. That limits the options. However, as I said to the Member who asked the original question, look at what is happening in England. Those who tell us that privatisation would solve all the problems in the management of waste water infrastructure should look at England.”
“We spend tens of millions of pounds treating water that we do not to treat. We should hold that water back and release it more slowly into the system by working with nature. I have a plan; I look forward to hearing the Member's plan.”
“Maybe you have not been listening. Under my policy, NI Water will stay under the governance of the Executive. It will not be privatised. It will continue to receive a public subvention, which was almost half a billion pounds this year. I will continue to work with my colleagues. I am doing so successfully, because they are also willing to travel the journey to secure additional funding for NI Water. I am looking at contributions from developers for NI Water. We will then move to one of the most fundamental changes that, I believe, has to happen: working with nature. The sustainable drainage system (SuDS) Bill that will be introduced to the Assembly for Members to debate will set out a governance arrangement for dealing with the millions of gallons of rainwater that we put through waste water treatment works but do not need to treat.”
“There is a difference between a funding model and the amount of funding received. Is the Member telling me that the privatisation of NI Water is now the Opposition's policy?”
“Developers continue to engage with NI Water, and connections continue with NI Water. As I said when I answered the supplementary, the Executive delivered an additional £19 million to NI Water in October, and 2,300 homes will be connected as a result of that investment. We can all become blinded by figures and the scale of the problem that is coming at us, but that has shown me that we can solve some of those problems with some investment. The long- and medium-term plans that I have in front of me will allow NI Water to continue to deliver on its objectives.”
“Even if the Executive were in a position to fully fund NI Water during the current price control period, 2021-27, it would connect only a further 4,500 homes. When it comes to those 19,000 homes or whatever figure is thrown out — I think you referred to 17,000 or 18,000 homes — the reality and the facts are that, if NI Water were to be fully funded to the level that the Utility Regulator recommended, 4,500 additional homes would be connected. NI Water is on record as saying that, during that period, if there were contributions from developers to divert rainwater away from the system, it could connect another 18,000 homes. <BR /> <BR />Yes, NI Water faces challenges in delivering, but, as I have said many times in the Chamber, let us not send out the message that we are closed for business, because we are not.”
“Therefore, privatisation is not the utopia that some people present it as. <BR /> <BR />As I have said, mutualisation will lead to domestic water charges: I am not going down that route. Others may support it, and that is fair enough. NI Water has the Executive behind it. We have made significant investment in NI Water — over half a billion pounds this year. I also secured £19 million during the October monitoring round from my Executive colleagues, and we connected an extra 2,300 homes as a result of that investment. Often, when we talk about NI Water, we, understandably, talk in billions and hundreds of millions, but, sometimes, £5 million, £10 million, £15 million or £20 million makes a big difference.”
“I do not agree with the use of the language. There is no certainty for NI Water going out onto the markets either. That has to be said. It has one certainty when it is being funded directly by the Executive: it has, at its back, the Executive — the Government. Going to any institution beyond that brings uncertainty. The markets will gladly, I suspect, take on NI Water, and privatisation will gladly take on NI Water, but look at what is happening in England. Look at the water companies in England that have been privatised. They are in substantial debt but continue to pay out significant bonuses to their directors, executives and shareholders. They are damaging the environment, because the scale of the upgrades that were promised to the infrastructure simply has not been delivered.”
“Specifically, I am continuing to work with Executive colleagues to try to increase waste water investment; reviewing the policy and legislation around developer contributions; and securing Executive agreement for the water, flooding and sustainable drainage Bill to be introduced to the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />I will leave it there.”
“I know that the Member will be interested in that, given that the Alliance Party has recently published its policy proposals for the funding and form of NI Water and has proposed mutualisation as one such structure. As I have previously advised the Assembly, mutualising NI Water will require the introduction of domestic water charges. However, in the spirit of delivering solutions, I have asked officials to keep alert to additional opportunities for providing additional funding for water and sewerage services within my policy framework and in collaboration with NI Water. <BR /> <BR />Alongside that, I am working hard in partnership with the Executive on progressing a three-pronged approach to ensure that NI Water remains fit for purpose.”
“As I have previously set out, my Department has already extensively reviewed NI Water's funding model and engaged experts in the Strategic Investment Board (SIB), the Department of Finance and NI Water and the Utility Regulator, who analysed the opportunities for NI Water to raise additional revenue and looked at different governance models. The conclusion was that all of the models examined required a water-charging model. To be clear again, I will not introduce domestic water charges on people and families who are already struggling as a consequence of rising inflation and higher costs of living. <BR /> <BR />My Department also reviewed alternative water utility company structures, including mutualisation, across these islands for best practice.”
“I confirm that I have the answer to question 6. <BR /> <BR />First, I want to clarify that the Audit Office report does not state that there should be a comprehensive review of how NI Water is funded. It is important to note that, in its report on the funding of water infrastructure, the NIAO simply encouraged my Department and NI Water to complete a review of the alternative funding and governance arrangements for NI Water to be led by suitably qualified experts.”
“It is worth noting that, in October-November 2024, there were 400,000 more journeys on public transport than in the previous year. We are having success, but we cannot become complacent, and we have to keep driving forward.”
“I have constantly engaged with representatives of the Dublin Government about the all-island rail review and how we get connectivity across the island. That is ongoing work in my Department and through the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) sectoral meetings. I will engage with the new Administration on that basis. I hope that funding, whether through the UK connectivity review or the all-island funding that is offered through the Taoiseach's office, will assist us in delivering real, meaningful change and programmes on that. <BR /> <BR />I continue to explore how I can provide the funding necessary to ensure that we encourage more people on to public transport and to reduce fares and align them as much as we can across the island.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I add my gratitude to all DFI, NI Water and Translink staff, who performed humongous tasks over the weekend and continue to do so today to bring public services back online. <BR /> <BR />York Street interchange is a central part of my deliberations on major projects and how we move that forward. It is a considerable investment but a necessary one for all the reasons that the Member has pointed out. It could also be a major economic driver for this place, if we can secure the project's future. I assure the Member that it is part of my deliberations, and I am looking at how we deliver it.”
“However, I assure the Member that I hope to be before the Chamber in the next number of weeks making a formal announcement about which major projects will move ahead at this stage.”
“I thank the Member for her assistance in that matter. Cooperation across the Floor is always very helpful. <BR /> <BR />I hope to be in a position in the next number of short weeks to make a formal announcement to the Assembly on which projects we will move forward. It has taken slightly longer than I hoped, but, when dealing with hundreds of millions of pounds of public funds, I want to make sure that I invest that money in a manner that is as future-proofed as possible and is of benefit to the public purse. <BR /> <BR />I am also conscious that, in relation to the various transport plans and strategies that have been discussed, including in this Question Time, I am working with information that is as up to date as possible.”
“She is. My apologies. Will the Member give me a clue as to what question 5 asks?”
“According to my notes, question 5 has been withdrawn.”
“All local landowners whose land has been vested will have received communications from my Department on how the process will develop from this point onwards. They will be advised to obtain the services of a land agent, who will be suitably qualified to negotiate and engage with the Department on their behalf under their instruction. I assure the Member that my Department is fully open to those discussions and engagement. The ultimate cost or price of the land will be down to Land and Property Services, and there has been significant engagement between the departmental officials and landowners up to this stage. However, I encourage landowners to engage and work through the process, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that everyone is treated fairly.”
“I will clarify the matter in writing if I am incorrect, but my understanding is that, under the terms of the court case, there is a cap on the costs because of the nature of the legislation under which the objection has been lodged. It is outside my remit or powers, or indeed my legal team's powers and the powers of the court, to overturn that.”
“We have worked very closely with the Department of Transport in Dublin throughout the project and engaged with it on a number of matters. It is vital that we work not only with the Department of Transport but with the relevant councils on how the road networks link up. That work is at an advanced stage, and it is part of the work stream of the North/South Ministerial Council. I am confident that we are fully and properly engaged on the matter, and both jurisdictions, and the relevant bodies within them, are aware of each other's plans.”
“The legal challenge did not affect that transfer of ownership. While there is no defined time frame for the handing down of the court's decision following the hearing in early March, the court has previously indicated the importance of getting the case dealt with as quickly as possible.”
“Following Executive agreement on 2 October 2024, I announced my decision to proceed with the length of this vital flagship scheme that runs between the south of Strabane and Ballygawley, which is 55 kilometres of its 85 kilometre total. On 13 November, the Department received a formal legal challenge to my decision. No further challenges have been received at this stage. Work is ongoing with my departmental officials and legal team to prepare evidence to robustly defend the challenge. The court has fixed a timetable for the preparation of the case, which will lead to a substantive hearing on 3 March 2025, with an expected time frame of five days. <BR /> <BR />On 25 November 2024, the vesting orders became operative, and ownership of the lands necessary for the construction of that length of the road was transferred to my Department.”
“It is important that the Department work in tandem with councils on their local development plans so that we recognise councils' plans for development in their area and so that councils know what the Department's plans are through the eastern transport plan. The transport plan, when published, will take into account the plans of councils. There will, obviously, be public consultation, and a final plan will then be published, which will allow councils to release land for further development, if needs be.”
“My Department is undertaking a consultation on the active travel delivery plan. I encourage Members and members of the public to engage with it. A number of public events are taking place, and there is an opportunity for members of the public and elected representatives to respond online. Members know their local area better than anyone. They will therefore know what connections are required in order to ensure that people can use active travel options, whether that means people travelling into their town or village centre or to their local school or their being connected to public transport networks that will allow them to complete longer journeys.”
“Taxis form part of the public transport network, and taxi services are the part of that network that allows customers to travel from door to door. We have opened up the transport links in and around Grand Central station in particular, so it is important that we ensure that part of our public transport system is allowed in bus lanes in order to deliver people to the new transport hub, which is Grand Central station.”
“<BR /> <BR />Visioning has commenced for the remainder of the eastern transport plan area, and transport plans will follow when each of the remaining councils' LDP is sufficiently advanced. My officials are working closely with the councils and stakeholders on the progress of the entire plan.”
“<BR /> <BR />My Department undertook a public engagement exercise to introduce the vision and objectives of the plan to stakeholders and the general public. The level of engagement was high, with over 500 responses and broad agreement from the respondents on the vision and objectives. Owing to the five councils being at different stages in their local development plan, the eastern transport plan will be published in iterations. The Belfast City Council plan is the most advanced, so the first iteration will cover its transport plan. My officials are undertaking a public engagement exercise with key stakeholders on the draft proposals for the Belfast City Council plan.”
“<BR /> <BR />We are facing an uncertain future, and we need to make radical changes that address issues arising from the environmental emergency and other societal problems that are related to our historical over-reliance and dependency on fossil fuels and the private car. The eastern transport plan uses a vision-and-validate approach that will consider the wider societal challenges that we face, generate a vision for the area and identify transport measures that will help us achieve that vision. That approach and vision are very much aligned with the core objective of my Department to promote and create cleaner and greener connections by achieving measurable increases in sustainable travel.”
“The eastern transport plan is one of eight local transport plans that my Department is developing in parallel with each council's local development plan (LDP) process. The eastern transport plan is the largest of the local plans and covers the five councils of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Ards and North Down, Belfast City, Lisburn and Castlereagh, and Mid and East Antrim. It will set the framework for those councils to make transport policy and investment decisions until 2035 and aims to ensure that the transport network meets the needs of people and businesses living and working in and visiting the eastern transport plan area.”