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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“In Northern Ireland, we are uniquely placed to make an important contribution to the green economy and, especially, the green recovery, given that most electricity consumption here was derived from renewables in 2020, and that was an improvement on the previous year.”
“The effect of that was that the driver was nervous about using the electric vehicle for fear of being out of range of a working charging point. <BR /> <BR />Those are the physical aspects of the green recovery that need to be sorted out. We need to get them right, right now, if we are to make meaningful progress. For the vast majority of consumers out there, one of the most easily recognisable products of green energy is the electric car, yet, here in Northern Ireland, the network cannot possibly respond to the market. It is nowhere near where it needs to be. That must change immediately. <BR /> <BR />The green recovery must involve actions that are sound investments of public money and policy decisions that balance the need for a climate response but, crucially, do not throw our economic future over a cliff edge.”
“One only has to watch the television to see that many car manufacturers are vying for a slice of that market. There is no doubt, of course, that we are set to increase our use of electric vehicles over those that run on petrol or diesel. However, the charging network for electric vehicles remains abysmal in Northern Ireland. Despite many approaches to the Infrastructure Minister on that topic and, indeed, to many others in the House, there fails to be a clear, concise and meaningful strategy for creating and increasing the roll-out of such infrastructure. Indeed, it was disheartening when a constituent contacted me earlier in the year to say that 50% of the electric vehicle charging network in Newry was faulty.”
“Take the RHI scheme, for example. Some participants spent many thousands of pounds on the installation costs of the new technology. Of course, currently, wood pellets remain an expensive source of heat. We have a situation now in which the tariff is nowhere near enough to subsidise either the massive outlay in installation costs or the cost of the fuel compared with fossil fuel alternatives. We need to get that issue right. Bad policy decisions will see millions of pounds returned to the Treasury that would otherwise be used to subsidise sources of green energy. It will not help our overall emissions-lowering agenda either. Businesses having to revert to using fossil fuels is not a good outcome for climate improvement. <BR /> <BR />The electric vehicle market requires much work.”
“I have lost count of the calls that I have received from Housing Executive tenants who feel that their homes are not efficient, which has had a real and concerning impact on their finances. The House has a responsibility to deal with that issue in a meaningful way. It could be dealt with using the right intervention. <BR /> <BR />We can read the headlines on future energy sources and moves away from gas boilers, but we cannot ignore the reality of what that means for thousands of homeowners in Northern Ireland. Putting in new technology will be a massive expense for homeowners. To achieve that will require a clear and sensible pathway and will need a significant level of financial support for homeowners. <BR /> <BR />New forms of heating technology are expensive, and to install them requires a significant outlay.”
“Plunging the people of Northern Ireland into further financial strain and upheaval with bad legislation on climate change will not make for any meaningful improvement. I refer, of course, to the private Member's Bill on climate change, and I use this further opportunity to urge Members instead to put their weight behind Minister Poots's departmental Bill. <BR /> <BR />Aspects of a green recovery that make common sense should, of course, be rapidly enacted. I see, for example, much room for improvement to the existing social housing stock and the need for those homes to receive much-needed energy-efficient upgrades. That should have an immediate cost-saving benefit to tenants and also benefit the climate.”
“As I have said in the House previously, actions should be reflective of and, ultimately, proportionate to our 0·04% overall contribution to global emissions.”
“I caution that, in the immediate term, for most people in the Province, given the massive pressures of the past year, the tragic deaths from COVID and the many hospitalisations, recovery from the pandemic is very much the most pressing and main priority at this time, and it should be the main priority for the House. <BR /> <BR />That said, Northern Ireland must do its fair share in response to climate change.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Given the importance of road safety, does the Minister agree that speed indicator devices are an effective way to highlight speed awareness?”
“When it comes to this motion and the issue of rewilding, we must ensure that, ultimately, it provides the response that is required to address the concerns around climate change and that those who farm the land and are custodians of it are not left disadvantaged. That will be avoided through well-thought-out, sensible proposals. I support the motion.”
“As many public bodies and agencies, such as Northern Ireland Water, have vast swathes of land, it could be ideally suited to that purpose. I understand that those realistic options will be pursued by the Minister; he has already commenced work in that regard. <BR /> <BR />To that end, there is much work ongoing in regards to the basis of the motion that is before the House today. I look forward to seeing more progress on that important work in the weeks ahead, especially around the publication of a peatland strategy. I said in the House yesterday that we must be mindful of the impacts of any strategy around climate change.”
“As we know, woodlands and peatlands are very useful carbon sinks and natural storage facilities. It is vital that they are protected and, indeed, enhanced in order to continue to provide that very important function. The issue is that, if they are not looked after and tended to correctly, they lose that important value as a carbon store and actually become part of the problem. That must be avoided and reversed. <BR /> <BR />On 2 March, during Minister Poots's statement to the House, I asked him about the specific issue of utilising government- and council-owned land for tree-planting. He agreed that that represented a sensible way forward. That option is important as it removes a significant cost from the initiative.”
“Minister Poots has started on the front foot in that regard. Indeed, his climate change Bill is in process and contains many important requirements and initiatives to assist the Province in protecting the environment and the contribution of Northern Ireland to reducing overall global emissions, to which Northern Ireland currently contributes 0·04%. I urge every party and Member to get behind the work of the Minister.”
“Woodland and forest cover stands at about 8% of land, which, when compared with the UK at 13% and the Republic of Ireland at 11%, shows that we have some way to go in Northern Ireland to match that resource. Our current woodland resource is in the region of 113,000 hectares, and the Minister has launched the Forests for our Future initiative, which seeks to see 18 million trees planted here over the next 10 years.”
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the emergency services and the local community in the Mournes area, who played a significant role in dealing with a rapidly evolving situation. I, again, thank the emergency services for their sterling work in extinguishing the fire and preventing even further widespread damage to the Mourne Mountains. <BR /> <BR />There is much value, merit and benefit to the climate and to people generally from the preservation and nurturing of those natural resources, and I fully agree about the need for them to be protected. According to the soil map, 24·6% of Northern Ireland is covered in peat: about 242,622 hectares.”
“The motion has been brought into sharp focus following the deliberately started blazes on the Mourne Mountains, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and one of Northern Ireland's most prized tourist attractions. I am sure that I speak for everyone in the House when I say that we were horrified at the scenes of the mountainside in flames. There has been much concern from the public about the damage and the long recovery period for that important ecosystem. I urge a redoubling of efforts by everyone who wishes to visit the Mournes and similar habitats to understand the dangers posed by simple acts such as dropping a cigarette butt or lighting a campfire or barbecue close to vegetation that is dry and has the potential to ignite. <BR /> <BR />It is important that public bodies increase publicity and awareness of the dangers.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement, and I welcome the sizeable investment of £85 million in AFBI and CAFRE, which will certainly give confidence in the future of the agri-food industry. <BR /> <BR />The Minister outlined an important £10 million investment in beef facilities at AFBI, Hillsborough, and CAFRE. Will he outline why that investment is important for the beef sector in Northern Ireland in particular?”
“I urge Members to rethink the Bill and put efforts behind the Minister's climate change Bill. I also urge other Executive members to get behind those efforts, which represent the very best opportunity to work towards achievable targets. The unilateral support of our farming and food production stakeholders and representative organisations must be at the core of any efforts as full cooperation and buy-in towards addressing emissions will offer the greatest chance of meeting targets. The Bill has failed already in that regard and must be taken off the table.”
“Let us approach the debate with sensible, practical heads and deliver a pragmatic solution that works.”
“<BR /> <BR />That issue requires much more work to establish a scientific baseline for carbon sequestration. My view is that, by supporting the private Member's Bill, we step outside the advice of independent experts and support unachievable, unjust targets, with the consequence of making farmers redundant, reducing incomes, decreasing herd sizes and increasing production costs and, potentially, land abandonment. We will make redundant the vital role that our farmers play in food production as custodians of the countryside and those who hold many of the assets that we need to help the environment. Therefore, the ironic result of this move would be detrimental to the environment and to tackling climate change because we would increase global emissions by outsourcing our production to countries with less sustainable production methods.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I accept that, but some of those parties are already rowing back from their position. If you had listened carefully to the Chairman of the Agriculture Committee earlier, you would have realised that. <BR /> <BR />There is much focus on the farming industry, with climate change being considered and much expected of the industry in terms of emissions reductions. However, it is important that we consider the contribution already made by the farming community in assisting in the preservation of the countryside and the wider environment. Indeed, as I have stated before, it is important that that contribution be accurately measured, as there will be great importance tied to what more agriculture can do. Equally, however, it is important to understand what the industry already does in that regard.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee heard evidence from Lord Deben on his work on the Climate Change Committee, which has taken a long, detailed, scientific and wide-ranging view of the changes required and has drawn important conclusions that, whilst being a significant challenge, represent a much more achievable road map to the reductions required in line with the broader United Kingdom strategy. The private Member's Bill is simply a hopeful political gamble by the Green Party, which seeks to own any official position targets set by DAERA on the important issues while reducing time frames and, in turn, worryingly, increasing risks for one of Northern Ireland's most important economic sectors.”
“That is why it must be voted down. <BR /> <BR />Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Northern Ireland's agri-food sector has shown itself to be a resilient industry that prides itself in caring for the environment and the livestock that it produces. The Bill and its insistence on reaching net zero by 2045 would require a reduction in the output of Northern Ireland farms that would mean the decimation of Northern Ireland agriculture. That is neither sensible nor good for the environment or the economy.”
“Ms Bailey has managed to unite the agri-food sector, ordinary farmers and representative farming organisations against her Bill not because they have some fear or unwillingness to protect and enhance the environment — they already try to do that — but because such a Bill, if implemented, would do unimaginable harm to Northern Ireland's food production. The threat posed by the Bill must be weighed against the impact of Northern Ireland's global emissions. According to data, our contribution stands at 0·04%. With that figure firmly in mind, it would be pragmatic and sensible to respond to the threat of global warming with measures that do two things: contribute to a lowering of global emissions proportionally; and ensure that Northern Ireland can continue to have a prosperous economy. Ms Bailey's Bill does neither.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. As someone who has spent his working life farming the land, I am all too aware of the need to address global emissions in the agriculture industry and many other industries. I do not speak as someone who ignores the ramifications of global emissions; rather, I want to find the best response to such matters, with the twin interests of the planet and our agri-food sector firmly in mind. <BR /> <BR />I must state that the threat to farming, food production and the economic stability of Northern Ireland could not be starker when the ramifications of the Bill are considered.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Is she aware of whether criteria have been set to identify those eligible for the scheme?”
“Cross-departmental cooperation will continue to be important in considering those issues further, ensuring that politics and decisions on competitive sport in this regard are fair, reasonable and balanced against a number of important factors. That said, this legislation is required, and neither venue should be disadvantaged further by its legal, albeit temporary, blockage. I support the Bill.”
“<BR /> <BR />Discussions have taken place on widening support to include other venues, such as greyhound racetracks and other venues not involved in horse racing. I urge that any further discussion on those points take a firm view on the wider societal impact of off-course and online gambling. Those issues should not be treated in isolation. In recent times, we have heard of the societal impacts of gambling and the negative impacts that it has. Currently, there is discussion on our laws on the matter and on the prolific nature of online betting. I welcome any steps to consider the matters effectively, including the impacts on society of online betting, which has seen a particular increase over lockdown.”
“<BR /> <BR />The fund is made up of a levy collected from licensed bookmakers in Northern Ireland, and that finance provides support for horse racing at Northern Ireland's two racecourses at Downpatrick and Down Royal. The Horse Racing (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 is the legal basis for the horse racing fund in Northern Ireland. The change of operator at Down Royal meant that it was ineligible for support from the fund. That issue will prevail until the current work to adjust the legislation to allow payments to recommence has run its full legislative course. COVID-19 has been another limiting factor for the two racecourses, as has been the case with much of sport over the last number of months. With support being withheld for the reasons outlined, it will be all the more required moving forward.”
“The issue before the House is one of which many members of the public may never had had any knowledge. It is legislation required to put right an issue that has arisen on the funding of Northern Ireland's racecourses and the blockage to assistance that has prevailed since late 2018. <BR /> <BR />The legislative angle is that there is a need to change the existing Order to allow payments to be made from the horse racing fund to racecourses in Northern Ireland. I understand that the consultation and the normal practices have been carried out and that the responses received have been taken on board in the formulation of the amendment. I note that the consultation responses were largely supportive of the change.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. We all, I am sure, are concerned at the damage that was done in the Mourne Mountains. Minister, could appropriate firebreaks have played a greater role in reducing the amount of damage that was caused in the Mournes?”
“Subject to the motion being agreed today, the Committee will circulate copies of the revised code of conduct and guide to the rules to all MLAs for their information ahead of 12 April 2021, which is when they will come into effect. I encourage all Members to remain mindful of the need to continue to develop their knowledge and awareness of their responsibilities under the code and guide. I ask Members to support the motion.”
“The footnote will also include a link to further information on the Act. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, the motion serves to highlight the importance of the standards regime for Assembly Members. The proposed amendments to the code and guide will reduce the risk of non-compliance and resultant reputational damage to the Assembly, increase transparency and help to promote increased public confidence in the Assembly as a result of a strengthened standards regime. <BR /> <BR />Again, I thank Members for their contributions. I expect that the Committee will continue to lead the further improvement and refinement of the code and guide during the remainder of the mandate.”
“However, Members will be aware that the Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 means that the arrangements have now changed. To address the timing issue, a footnote will be added to that paragraph of the amended guide. It will state:”
“While it is important that such amendments are made at this juncture, the Committee recognises that stage 2 of the review will offer another opportunity to clarify further and improve the provisions of the code and guide. The work at stage 2 will examine the arrangements for handling complaints of inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour, with a view to ensuring that a best practice approach is maintained. <BR /> <BR />Going into more detail, I wish to pick up on an issue in paragraph 5 of the introduction to the guide to the rules, which currently states:”
“<BR /> <BR />On the first issue, the Committee believes that its recommended changes to the thresholds for registering interests continue to strike the right balance between ensuring transparency and placing proportionate requirements on Members. On the second issue, the Committee is firmly of the view that the requirements for registering gifts, benefits and hospitality under category 3 and visits under category 4 of the guide should aim to ensure that sufficient information is included in the Assembly's Register of Members' Interests in order to inform any necessary decisions on compliance with applicable rules of conduct. <BR /> <BR />As detailed in the report, the Committee has also taken the opportunity at stage 1 of the review to identify various textual improvements to the provisions of the code and guide.”
“Some Members, including Stewart Dickson, made the point that Members should set an example in their conduct. That is very important. <BR /> <BR />As outlined in the report, the Committee's stage 1 considerations have been informed by information on the approaches that are taken by comparable legislatures to the issues identified as well as by advice from the Commissioner for Standards, Dr Melissa McCullough. In summary and as highlighted, the two key areas where the Committee is recommending change include, first, the approach to setting thresholds and the registration of various interests and, secondly, the introduction of a new requirement on Members to provide the value or estimated value of gifts, benefits, hospitality and visits.”
“I thank Members for their contributions. I speak as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges. As we heard, there is a clear connection between public confidence in this institution and a robust standards regime for Members. I will reflect on the particular points that were raised on the proposed amendments to the code and guide in a moment. However, it is important to reiterate that there is an onus on each of us, as elected Members, to be conscious of our ethical responsibilities and to lead by example. Observations of the Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Lord Evans, are instructive on that. He recently stated:”
“He said that it was designed to offer support to on-farm investment projects costing in excess of £30,000, up to a maximum available grant of £250,000, on the basis of robust farm business plans. He further added that its focus was on driving capital investment in assisted farm businesses. There is no doubting the importance of the scheme to the agriculture and manufacturing industries in Northern Ireland at this time. The scheme is also important for assisting farmers to meet their environmental obligations. There are many benefits to be had for the environment, farm businesses and the wider economy. We have important incentives to drive further change, but we need the second tranche to come forward quickly. I look forward to further progress being made and to the finalisation of the scheme's budgetary requirements.”
“I also pay tribute to Gordon Lyons, who stepped in and proved himself to be a capable pair of hands in Minister Poots's absence. <BR /> <BR />As I said last week, there is an important scheme in preparation. It is the second tranche of tier 2 of the farm business improvement scheme. Given the return of Minister Poots, I urge a renewed effort over the scheme. I have spoken to farmers and those in the manufacturing sector, and there is an enthusiasm around it and an anticipation that funding will be released. I urge a redoubling of efforts to get the fund operational. Former Minister Lyons replied to a recent query of mine about the status of the scheme.”
“The schemes have kept businesses afloat and allowed staff to be retained. Huge pressure will be brought to bear on finances, and there has been a lot of public debate around allocations to Northern Ireland. Representations for additional resources must be continued. That is in no way to belittle the unprecedented level of assistance that has been provided. As I have said, it has been a lifeline for the Province. It has been well received and is further proof of the value and strength of the Union. <BR /> <BR />I will focus on agriculture and the environment, and I welcome Minister Poots back to his desk. His obvious enthusiasm for the role is clear for all to see. I trust that he is well recovered from what was significant surgery.”
“That clarity, when provided, will allow for some preparation to be carried out, with a view to reopening various sectors of our economy. There is a consistent message coming from our business community that forward notice is required. It is well understood and is the subject of much concern that the ending of the various support schemes will have an impact on the economy, as businesses react to the withdrawal of that support. The impact, which is difficult to measure at this time, must be a full and urgent focus for the Assembly. The clock is ticking on the issue. <BR /> <BR />Through my constituency work and from countless discussions with businesses and scheme administrators, I know that the sources of finance and other measures, such as rates holidays, have been of immense support.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Final Stage of the Budget Bill. As I have said in earlier contributions, great importance is attached to the Bill, given the current health crisis, from which we are hopefully now emerging. With that emergence will come a great requirement for investment and support for the economy in Northern Ireland in order to kick-start the process of economic recovery. <BR /> <BR />Many points have been made about the current speed of the relaxation of restrictions and about the lack of dates attached to recent announcements. In my daily work, in my constituency office in Newry and Armagh, I listen attentively to businesses in the community that urgently require clarity. I urge such clarity to be provided by the Health Minister and his advisers as soon as possible.”
“The Minister has identified the importance of clean energy as a priority for her as we rebuild and regrow our local economy. What future opportunities are there for the hydrogen economy?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her statement. What encouragement can she give to business owners who are desperate to get their businesses open again? Many of them have been at 'Wits' End Corner'.”
“An end-of-year rush has proved to be ineffective, and it causes spending in a chaotic manner instead of the strategic benefit of prioritising a managed spend.”
“Planning is vital to the scheme, and the manufacturing industry must be able to respond to the potential level of demand that will stem from that measure. I urge clarity on that and for the AERA Minister to put Northern Ireland farmers and, indeed, our manufacturing base on their best forward footing. <BR /> <BR />On a wider perspective, the start-stop approach of the Budget must change to a much longer-term strategy, with an emphasis on forward planning. We must limit the return of unspent money to the Treasury and maximise spend in a coordinated manner.”
“<BR /> <BR />In their focus on farming in the current era and in the future, I encourage the Minister and his officials to redouble their efforts on the launch of the second tranche of tier 2 of the farm business improvement scheme. I know from a recent letter to me from Minister Lyons that he is actively looking at that but states that any scheme would be subject to funding availability, given the necessity of that programme to help farmers to further respond to environmental change and the level of support proposed. I urge the Minister to work hard to ensure that any future direction on ammonia reduction and mitigation are factored into the scheme to further assist farm businesses in adapting.”
“The recent focus seems to have shifted from the real issues around TB and the £40 million a year cost of that disease. Testing, herd closures and compensation are a huge upset to many farm families, and the impacts are widespread and costly. There is also an understandable issue with an attempt to cut the level of compensation, especially without any clear and recognisable path to TB eradication in which farmers have any confidence. Farmers are doing their part in that regard, but a clear pathway to eradication must be forthcoming. There must be renewed focus on that because the wheel has slowed down in rolling out a workable and adequate strategy to drive down that disease. There is a huge cost implication associated with continuing to drift in that regard to the financial resources of farmers and the Department.”
“I urge a response to those concerns as soon as possible. <BR /> <BR />There are many more significant issues arising for business, and I believe that the Department will require resources to deal with the unfolding difficulties, more so after the so-called grace period comes to a close. Minister Poots, prior to his urgent surgery, was ensuring that the voices of those at the sharp end of those onerous and costly checks were being listened to. Minister Lyons, as his replacement, has also been conscious of the realities of the protocol. Make no mistake: the voices calling for an end to the protocol are growing ever louder. <BR /> <BR />The Department's spend on diseases and livestock, and compensation — for instance, for TB — continues to place a significant drain on DAERA resources.”