William Irwin
Newry and Armagh · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. We have worked closely together, and I hold you in high esteem. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for agreeing to look into the matter. I was at the funeral on Sunday, and the family are devastated by their loss. The lady was going to get her hair done and was killed on that main road.”
“I thank my party colleagues and Members from all sides of the House who have wished me well on the occasion of my retirement. It has been an absolute privilege to represent Newry and Armagh since 2007. I think that most people will recognise that I represented everyone irrespective of their class or creed.”
“The Minister may be aware that the Bramley apple industry in County Armagh is worth in the region of £20 million to the local economy. For growers, cold stores are vital to the protection and keeping of the apples. Most of those cold stores are now 30, 40 or 50 years old. Growers need help to replace and renew those stores.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her response and for her efforts on the matter. The deputy First Minister will be aware that a large number of vaccines are used by the intensive farming sectors. Does she agree that it would be a serious issue if those medicines were not available?”
“I thank the Minister for his responses so far. We are aware of the reports that thousands of tons of raw sewage has been pumped into Belfast lough. Does the Minister agree that that is totally unacceptable and that something needs to be done as soon as possible?”
“That having been said, securing PGI status for the Armagh Bramley in 2012 was hard worked for and very welcome. That has been a valued and unique selling point, not only for the Bramley variety in the Armagh area but for apples generally in all their varieties, as well as apple-based products.”
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“Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. We have worked closely together, and I hold you in high esteem. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for agreeing to look into the matter. I was at the funeral on Sunday, and the family are devastated by their loss. The lady was going to get her hair done and was killed on that main road. The traffic travels quite fast on that road, and it is a very busy road. It is important that we all realise the seriousness of the matter.”
“I thank my party colleagues and Members from all sides of the House who have wished me well on the occasion of my retirement. It has been an absolute privilege to represent Newry and Armagh since 2007. I think that most people will recognise that I represented everyone irrespective of their class or creed.”
“The Minister may be aware that the Bramley apple industry in County Armagh is worth in the region of £20 million to the local economy. For growers, cold stores are vital to the protection and keeping of the apples. Most of those cold stores are now 30, 40 or 50 years old. Growers need help to replace and renew those stores. Will the Minister undertake to look at a plan to try to help?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Does she agree that there is a scarcity of tradesmen in our workforce in Northern Ireland and that it is therefore vital to encourage as many as possible into apprenticeships?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her response and for her efforts on the matter. The deputy First Minister will be aware that a large number of vaccines are used by the intensive farming sectors. Does she agree that it would be a serious issue if those medicines were not available?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Does he agree that the historical environment division's recent grade B1 listing decision will make it more difficult to repurpose that building or dispose of it on the open market?”
“Does the Minister accept that, in future, he needs to take on board stakeholders' concerns before making policy decisions?”
“In the Armagh area, there is a large concentration of bees in the apple orchards, as the Minister will be aware. Is there anything that beekeepers can do to help protect their bees?”
“I thank the Minister for his responses so far. We are aware of the reports that thousands of tons of raw sewage has been pumped into Belfast lough. Does the Minister agree that that is totally unacceptable and that something needs to be done as soon as possible?”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister has previously referred to support schemes, including the farm sustainability transition payment and the sustainable agriculture programme. He has highlighted the moneys that are paid against land and area that is registered as commercial orchards. There is a concern — I have heard it directly from growers — that this year's harvest, whilst plentiful, will be of a much lower value than previous harvests. That is a worry for growers, and I ask the Minister to explain to the House what measures he can deploy in order to assist growers in what is a challenging time.”
“for the crop. This year, the crop is significant, with the very favourable growing conditions that were enjoyed throughout the summer. That has had a major impact on the market, with an abundance of supply meaning that prices have taken a downward turn. That has undoubtedly caused concern for producers. The Bramley variety is only one of the three products in Northern Ireland that has achieved PGI status. Whilst that status is very welcome, it is very important that a massive amount of work, energy and resources is put into growing and harvesting apples. The vast majority of apples are processed by a number of local processors and sold in the UK mainland market and in the Irish Republic to bakeries to produce tarts and the like.”
“I recall from my discussions with growers that last year was a reasonably good year. There was high demand for the produce, and with that came a return for the growers. Their efforts associated with the harvest saw”
“That having been said, securing PGI status for the Armagh Bramley in 2012 was hard worked for and very welcome. That has been a valued and unique selling point, not only for the Bramley variety in the Armagh area but for apples generally in all their varieties, as well as apple-based products. Whether it is the unique and very tasty Bramley apple tart, or the various apple juices and ciders that are produced in the area, I wholeheartedly commend all those who are associated with the sector for making their apple produce such a success. <BR /> <BR />Of course, many difficulties and challenges exist for the sector, as they do in all food-related sectors, and market forces play a very important role in the profits and losses that are associated with the apple harvest each season.”
“With between 4,000 and 5,000 acres of orchards dedicated to growing apples in the Armagh area, it is clearly an important local element of the horticultural sector in the region. Unfortunately for me, boundary changes moved about 90% of apple growers into my colleague's constituency.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Can she confirm that, over the past year, over £5 million has been paid out to vehicle owners for damage?”
“As a fellow representative of Newry and Armagh, I add my condemnation of the attack on the Minister's office.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. My thoughts are with the farmers involved. While farmers will be compensated for their birds, there is no compensation for loss of income, which is a big issue for them. Loss of income can be very detrimental to a business. <BR /> <BR />Given that there have been no outbreaks of bird flu in Northern Ireland since February 2025, do we have any idea of the source of infection? For instance, are there any outbreaks in the neighbouring jurisdiction of the Republic of Ireland?”
“Last year, over £5 million, I believe, was paid out in compensation to motorists whose vehicles were damaged as a result of defects on our road surfaces. Do you agree that the rising spend in compensation would be better directed to road repairs?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Does he accept that, despite his past promises, the NIEA is still not meeting its consultation response time frames?”
“I thank the First Minister for her response. The United States is a critically important economic partner of the UK. Will the First Minister outline what she gained by not attending the state banquet for President Trump last week?”
“What is the expenditure to date on the southern relief road?”
“I thank the Minister for his answers so far. I welcome the Minister's comments in relation to a wildlife intervention regarding TB. Is the Minister concerned, as I am, that the incidence of TB continues to rise? Does he accept that it is vital that every effort is made to deal with the situation as soon as possible?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. When will construction on the new school start?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Now that Encompass is in all trusts, can he assure the House that we will get full information on waiting lists, particularly cancer waiting lists, where key data has been absent?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Are there other ongoing works at the school, given the length of time for which the school will remain in its current premises?”
“<BR /> <BR />I urge the Minister to take a long, hard look at his proposals, withdraw them and come back with proposals that will command the support of the agri-food industry in Northern Ireland. Producers cannot be laden with rules that will require millions of pounds to be spent to comply with. That will only result in catastrophic damage to one of Northern Ireland's leading economic performers. Progress will only be achieved when the Minister shows an understanding of our farming community, and I urge him to urgently act in the interests of the industry.”
“Rather than stay the ill-thought-out proposals, the Minister seems intent to further pile the pressure on our farming community, and that is simply not acceptable. This is not about ignoring our environmental responsibilities — far from it. Rather, it is about finding a sensible way forward that protects our countryside and supports the people who work very hard, day by day, to feed us. The Minister will, of course, be acutely aware of the depth of feeling on this issue and the fact that hundreds of people turned out to voice their opposition at Greenmount recently. They sent a clear message that farmers will not be ignored on this most important issue.”
“<BR /> <BR />I know that the agri-food industry is very aware of its obligations to protect our environment. However, the sources of pollution impacting on our waterways are many, and any proposal requires a broader scope and recognition of those sources and practical solutions. The NAP proposals as tabled, if implemented, will do immeasurable harm to our industry, and that, in turn, will directly impact on the livelihoods of thousands of people and will severely limit and drastically impact on our capacity in food production. Farms will ultimately be decimated, and, again, thousands of jobs in our agri-food sector will go. <BR /> <BR />The pressures facing farming at this time are considerable and varied, and the NAP proposals do not seek to lessen that burden in any shape or form.”
“First of all, I declare an interest as I am a partner in a farm business. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the opportunity to discuss this very important issue in our agriculture community in Northern Ireland. The feeling amongst our farming community and the wider agri-food sector is illustrated by the joint letter recently signed by stakeholders. It is one of concern, frustration and mounting anger. The Minister must open his ears and eyes to the dissatisfaction that the NAP proposals have generated and withdraw the consultation. As our motion clearly says, that will allow time and space to chart a course towards an arrangement that recognises duties towards the environment and also the duty to nurture and promote our agri-food industry rather than decimate it with poorly thought-out policies.”
“I welcome the fact that criminal assets may be seized from those responsible. Will the Minister assure the House that every effort will be made to pursue those responsible and seize assets?”
“Although today's agreement will remove barriers to the movement of seeds, plants, food products and live animals between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the grave threat that continues to loom large is with the supply of veterinary medicines. Does the Minister accept that, while some progress has been made, there is much more to do to address the harm of the Windsor framework in its widest sense, not least in the area of customs and goods regulation? Furthermore, does he regret championing the erection of those barriers in the first place?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. I am sure that the Minister will accept that the agri-food sector is the backbone of the Northern Ireland economy, yet farm families are staring down the barrel of a double hit of inheritance tax, which threatens our young people's succession, and an increase in National Insurance costs, which is choking already tight margins. Does the Minister agree that those policies represent a direct threat to long-term rural viability and overall economic resilience in Northern Ireland? Will she commit to pressurising Westminster on those issues?”
“Does the Minister believe that his TransformED strategy also has the potential to reduce workload?”
“With respect, Minister, will you commit today to increasing staffing levels. If so, by when?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. In light of the winter pressures, what steps is the Department taking to reduce the number of people unnecessarily attending accident and emergency departments? How can we better educate the public on appropriate alternatives in order to ease the burden on our emergency services?”
“I thank the Member for his response. Does he agree that it is important that the Assembly website be as accessible as possible, especially to elderly people?”
“I thank the First Minister for her response. Does she agree that the rights of older people are important? Many older people feel that decisions are made without their consent even though they have the capacity to make those decisions themselves.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. On avian flu, the depopulation of flocks can have a huge impact on farm businesses and their cash flow. Will the Minister assure the House that his officials will work closely with those affected to ensure that farms can be repopulated as soon as possible?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. He will be aware — he has touched on it — that, at any time, between 500 and 600 beds are occupied by patients who have been deemed fit for discharge. Does the Minister agree that the delivery of care packages is key to addressing the bed shortage in our hospitals?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. The Minister said that he met the British Dental Association. Its representatives have outlined their concerns about the funding of the service. What action will the Minister take to put in place a general dentistry model that reflects the true cost of dental care?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. What action is he taking to ensure that concerns from his members of staff, particularly in jobs and benefits offices, are heard and that action is taken?”
“In relation to environmental issues, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's (NIEA) response time to planning applications is dismal, to say the least. What plans does the Minister have to provide more staff to deal with the current backlog?”
“In other regions of the UK and in the Republic of Ireland, they have had to deal with the culling of wildlife before seeing a reduction in TB in cattle. Therefore, does the Minister accept that TB in wildlife will have to be dealt with if TB is to be eradicated in Northern Ireland?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does the Member agree that there is great concern about the proposed "active farmer" issue and that those deemed by the Department to be inactive have a very short time frame in which to transfer their entitlements?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Does the Minister know the potential cost of the cross-border scheme?”
“My question is a bit wider and is about the DAERA application for nitrates. Farmers and form-fillers have brought to my attention today the fact that they cannot access the website for their nitrates application. The deadline is 1 March, and, as yet, they have not been able to access the website. It was supposed to open on 1 January. Will the Minister extend the time frame for getting those applications in?”
“Does the Minister accept that a 15% penalty can equate to many thousands, or tens of thousands, of pounds for a farmer? Never mind his regime; what he wants to do is bring us back to draconian measures from the European Union. That is the situation, and many, even in his Department, accept that privately.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. I do not take alcohol. <BR /> <BR />A constituent approached me about Craigavon Area Hospital, where he had seen at first hand the issues resulting from excess alcohol and the dangers that it creates for staff. Does the Minister accept that it is an issue that must be dealt with?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Does he accept that money would be better spent on repairing roads than on paying for damage to cars? People come in to my office daily, looking for claim forms.”
“The CCC gave clear guidance to the Committee on a number of occasions that it would be seriously damaging to try to reach net zero by 2050. The Climate Change Committee gave that advice to the Committee on a number of occasions and it has not been listened to. Does the Minister accept that Northern Ireland's contribution to global warming is 0·04%? It is a twenty-fifth of 1%. Are we to damage all our agricultural industries and import from regions that are contributing to global warming?”