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.”
The complete record
Every one of 984 lines we hold for William Irwin, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 8 of 20.
“That sums up the Department's remit precisely. Indeed, the word "sustainability" is key, especially as we move away from EU payments and work in earnest to create our own system and support for the industry. Sustainability must be at the heart of the Department's efforts. The Committee has been involved in a number of discussions in recent months on many issues facing agriculture and the environment, not least the impacts of the protocol and the difficulties that that is presenting not only for businesses but for the Department itself. <BR /> <BR />I think of a recent example involving the supply of trees. An order for many thousands of trees was cancelled due to the onerous procedures and new rules, based on a very damaging protocol. I presume that that will have an impact on the Department's own plans for planting.”
“Of course, as citizens, we all have our part to play in that through responsible actions and an adherence to the advice. <BR /> <BR />DAERA's remit, as published, is for sustainability at the heart of a:”
“<BR /> <BR />I know that Edwin Poots has been back to work and that he is continuing his recuperation before resuming his ministerial duties. I wish him well on that journey, and I pay tribute to Minister Lyons for his work in stepping in to cover for Edwin in his period of recovery. <BR /> <BR />There are significant pressures on finances right across the board in our Departments, and it certainly looks like that pressure will continue unabated for the foreseeable short-term future. We will remain in lockdown for some weeks to come, so, on that point, I urge the Executive to provide a degree of clarity to people, especially those who are in business, about a likely timetable. I hope and pray that the situation changes and that our Province can return to a level of normality in the very near future.”
“<BR /> <BR />As I said last year, our agri-food industry has not stopped for breath during the onslaught of COVID-19. Even with the associated restrictions and risks to health, our farmers, processors, suppliers and retailers have worked non-stop throughout the period and have ensured that consumers can access food. Despite the initial panic, purchases have kept up with demand without disruption. That is commendable, and, indeed, it demonstrates the resolve and resilience of our farming and food industry. That is why last week in the Chamber I asked the Health Minister to consider that group of people, among others, for vaccination priority, given the importance of their work. I really feel that their efforts are taken for granted, and that should not be the case. I encourage Minister Swann to consider that.”
“This has been far from a normal year. As we know, given the massive and severe impacts of COVID-19 across the United Kingdom, of which Northern Ireland is an integral part, the pressures on finances have been immense and extreme. It must be said that the Treasury has taken action to provide unprecedented assistance to business, employers, employees and the general population in order to try to stave off the worst effects of the lockdown measures. Northern Ireland has certainly benefited to a significant degree in that regard. I know that many businesses in the Province have been grateful for that assistance. It is only right that, with such severe restrictions on our everyday life, financial aid continues to be forthcoming until such times as business can return to a level of normality.”
“Given the lack of certainty because of ongoing discussions at the Joint Committee, the lack of a ratified EU/UK trade deal by the European Parliament and the uncertainty about the future of the current grace period, how can your Department plan with any certainty when it comes to infrastructure and the recruitment of staff?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Does he accept that many working in essential jobs, such as in the agri-food sector, have worked right through the pandemic? They should be a priority.”
“The motion seeks to provide continuity for the industry in payments and processing, and farmers will see little difference in the procedure. No substantial policy changes are contained therein. For that reason, I support the motion.”
“As I have said previously, farming and the environment very much go hand in hand, and one cannot realistically survive without the other. That is why support for farming and the environment is so vital. As we know, direct payments are worth around £293 million a year to the industry. That is of significant assistance, and, understandably, there has been much debate and insistence on the need for such payments to continue. Our agri-food industry is one of the most prized assets in Northern Ireland, securing many thousands of jobs across a great number of sectors. It is, of course, important that the industry is fully supported going forward to ensure the stability and full recovery of our economy post pandemic.”
“I declare an in interest in the matter as a partner in a business that receives direct payments. This is an important motion, and the two pieces of Executive Committee business before the House today are important and necessary to ensure that we have a functional payment system to enable payments to be made in the coming year and to shape the future of direct payments going forward. The matter was discussed at some length in Committee a few weeks ago, when there was broad agreement that the matter should progress to the next stage, and I welcome the next step in the process today. <BR /> <BR />On the wider issue of payments in the future, there is an opportunity for meaningful change that can be taken with the very best interests of our agriculture industry and natural environment fully and firmly in mind.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. I am sure that she is aware that many hauliers are facing very difficult and challenging times. Yesterday, one haulier, with 20 trailers sitting in England, was unable to get loads back because businesses would not supply. This is a big issue for hauliers, many of whom have been making a loss over the four or five weeks since the protocol commenced.”
“I welcome the Minister to his new post. I hope that the former Minister is back to health soon and able to resume the post. <BR /> <BR />Will the Minister give his assessment of the need for products that are solely for consumption in Northern Ireland to be checked at all, given that that poses no risk whatsoever to the single market?”
“I urge unionism to unite and deal with the protocol in an exclusively peaceful and democratic fashion and focus on the source of the problem. That is the only available path to removing what has been foisted on us. East-west trade and the movement of goods must be restored immediately, but it must be achieved peacefully and democratically.”
“I was contacted on Saturday by the PSNI on the back of social media misinformation and a veiled threat against me. That, too, is unacceptable and amounts to an attack on the democratic process and politics. <BR /> <BR />All that being said, there is also an important and very real issue in the unionist community at this time, and that is the absolute rejection of the Northern Ireland protocol. The protocol is viewed in the unionist community as completely negative and distasteful. Sadly, as we know from many years of troubled history in Northern Ireland, there are those at the fringes of the community who will use those opportunities to flex their muscles. That is the sad reality of these circumstances.”
“First, I offer my best wishes and prayerful support to my good friend and colleague Edwin Poots, as he takes what, I hope and trust, will be a short break from ministerial duties to undergo emergency surgery. I also pass on the good wishes of many of my constituents who have enquired about his health in recent weeks. <BR /> <BR />On the Matter of the Day, the threats to staff at Larne port must be condemned. I ask those behind that sinister activity to desist immediately. People going about their daily work should not have to face such sinister attention. I support the council decision to remove staff from those positions, given the real and obvious safety concerns. I understand that it was a unanimous decision taken by the entire council.”
“In relation to animal health, TB in Northern Ireland is one of the big issues and is very costly to the taxpayer. The Minister is aware that, in the Republic of Ireland, levels of TB are much lower than in Northern Ireland. Will he tell us what the Republic of Ireland is doing differently to Northern Ireland to give it lower levels of the disease?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. I am sure that the Minister will accept that for those living in the west of the Province it will necessitate a hundred mile journey each way. It will be imperative that another venue be found for people in the west of the Province.”
“The current grace period has been broadly welcomed by trade representatives, but it shows that there is still much preparation to be done across the industry in a very narrow time window. The additional time is useful. While there will be much more debate as we hurtle towards 1 January, and there is a mixture of views of how and why we have arrived at this point, I have always believed that there will be opportunities. I believe that it is vital that the House makes preparations to ensure that Northern Ireland maximises the opportunities that will be presented. I support the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />On a wider point, there is still much uncertainty as we wait for the outcome of the latest round of negotiations between the Westminster Government and the EU. Much has been said in recent days as to what lies ahead in January. As a priority, the agri-food sector needs clarity about what is required for trade and the movement of goods in the future. The grace period is reasonable and pragmatic in order to allow the food industry to make further preparations. I note that pressure has been applied by our UK negotiators to have the grace period extended to all goods, which, in the circumstances, would be a further positive step. <BR /> <BR />At the AERA Committee a few weeks ago, I said that a grace period would be sensible, given that many preparations by industry are not at an advanced stage.”
“The end appears to be in sight, with regard to the tabling of motions by my colleague and Agriculture Minister, Edwin Poots. I give my best regards to him, as he continues to recover from his recent emergency surgery. I hope that he continues to improve after his stay in hospital, and I am sure that he is being well cared for at home. <BR /> <BR />In recent weeks, much legislation has been brought before the House ahead of the 1 January deadline. From a DAERA perspective, this is one of the last pieces of legislation to be brought to the House before the Christmas recess. The continuation of this legislation is important for the protection of our environment and ecosystems in Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. I am sure that she will agree with me that it is vital that every effort be made to help many of those businesses.”
“It is also most important to know whether, in any trade deal that is arrived at, protections will be included in the UK Internal Market Bill so that we have a high degree of clarity for local businesses and our consumer base in order that our industry is best prepared for the changes that lie ahead. I support the motion.”
“Farmers often refer to the amount of red tape around food traceability. As a farmer myself, I am only too aware of the burden that that places on the producer. That having been said, however, it is an important aspect of production that has many benefits, which must be protected as we move into 2021. <BR /> <BR />As of today, there is still much uncertainty around the terms of the trade deal and the outworkings of the negotiations that will continue throughout this week. I am interested to know what role the UK animal health and welfare common framework will play in designing future policy in that area and what engagement will take place with the industry on that. Engagement is essential across our agri-food and horticulture industries.”
“As with the previous motion, this is a legislative necessity around plant health and diseases of animals. Again, the time pressure is clear to avoid moving past the 1 January 2021 deadline without the necessary legislative powers in place. As was also the case with the previous motion, it is essential that legislative protection be provided. That is the nature of the motion. <BR /> <BR />As I often say publicly, the body of our current animal health and welfare regulations enables our produce to be elevated to an enviable biosecurity, welfare and, ultimately, taste and marketability position. I encourage the Department and the Minister to ensure that high animal welfare standards are maintained and protected, given the immense effort of our producers to create that high level of traceability and those high welfare standards.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister may also want to spell out to the House the wider implications of not progressing the legislation on plant and propagating material. As I have stated, we have little option, given the countdown to 1 January, which is just a few weeks away.”
“At this late stage, there is still time for the Prime Minister and his negotiating team to ensure that, post-transition, our economies across the United Kingdom are protected and that trading arrangements remain frictionless and without costly barriers. <BR /> <BR />I have raised in recent weeks the issue of seed potatoes and ware potatoes and the absolute necessity for the east-west supply route to remain open and frictionless. I would welcome the Minister's update in that regard. I know that his Department has been in direct contact on the matter. I welcome his continued work on that front, given the importance of this market to, for instance, the hundreds of fast-food outlets across the Province that utilise potatoes from the south of England.”
“I send my best wishes to Edwin Poots and wish him a speedy recovery. The two motions before the House represent the latter stages of the Brexit transition process as we accelerate towards 1 January. It is important that we have these regulations before the House. In respect of the draft Marketing of Plant and Propagating Material motion, the Committee had its opportunity to discuss these points. There was a general acceptance that what is before the House is necessary, as is much of the legislation coming from DAERA, given the approaching deadline. <BR /> <BR />Powers being transferred include setting labelling and documentary requirements for plant material and derogations in the event of temporary supply difficulties. As the clock ticks down towards the deadline, I note that efforts are intensifying.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. I am sure that she will accept that some of those minor roads are in a very bad state of repair, with large potholes. I had one lady in my office this morning who had wrecked her wheel on a pothole yesterday afternoon. She told me that the police car had hit the same pothole, also yesterday afternoon. Last year, there were claims of over £7,000 on one pothole. Does the Minister accept that more resources are required to deal with that situation?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. On Friday past, I spoke to a constituent who was diagnosed at the beginning of last week with cancer. He was told by medical staff that they were not sure when treatment could start, but they advised him to contact his MLA to see if they could help in some way. Does this not tell you that there are problems, Minister? Obviously, when medical staff are advising people diagnosed with cancer to go to their MLA for help, there is an issue.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her response. Can she confirm that such businesses that have to close will receive support through the Department of Finance scheme in a timely manner?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. The Minister will be aware of the seriousness of the situation. Many farms are trying to re-do existing old buildings and re-roof them, but they are being held up by NIEA. I am sure that the Minister is fully aware of the importance of this matter being addressed.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and his vision for the future of agriculture. It is clear that the Minister has a wide knowledge of grassroots agriculture. <BR /> <BR />Minister, you said that you would look at cross-compliance penalties. There has been an issue in the past, of which the Minister will, I am sure, be aware, whereby penalties applied to farmers were appealed. The farmers went to an independent panel which, in some cases, adjudicated and supported the farmers, but the Department refused to agree to the independent panel's decision. What is the Minister's view on that?”
“<BR /> <BR />Given the lengthy delays that have been experienced by farmers who have entered the planning system for various projects on their farms, it is very clear that there is a need for a fresh look at the system. However, a moratorium is not the way forward for agriculture in Northern Ireland. It would place the sector at an unfair disadvantage compared to, for instance, the Republic of Ireland. I would very much like to see a joined-up approach from the Minister for Infrastructure and the AERA Minister to try to address the issues around ammonia and reach a consensus that is practical and economical for our agricultural and food industry and which continues to recognise the importance of protecting the natural environment.”
“Indeed, legislatively, that is not possible, given the commitments that we are working towards already. Farmers are behind those efforts. <BR /> <BR />The motion focuses on planning applications and calls for the halting of approvals despite the fact that all planning applications in that instance must already comply with strict criteria on ammonia. That, in itself, has been a source of significant concern for farmers who may wish to erect only a structure on their farm to replace an old, worn shed, for example; that is treated as a new development by shared environmental services and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. I have represented a number of farmers who have been waiting for many months on progress on their farm development and improvement. That very issue is the cause of the delay.”
“Both of those issues require ongoing and significant investment. We are in a global market for food. We cannot continue to push the idea that we can put significant and costly restraints on any industry in Northern Ireland while ignoring the fact that the obvious increases in production costs would make goods more expensive. That would all be unravelled by the importation of goods from countries with vastly inferior standards and commitments around emissions and food safety. That is the reality of the proposal before us today. Although I support the need for Northern Ireland to play its part in reducing global emissions, we are, globally, on account of all the statistics, one of the lowest emitters. That, of course, does not mean that we should sit back and do nothing.”
“The way in which our countryside is maintained is down, in the main, to the hard, tough graft of our farming community. <BR /> <BR />The motion that has been brought to the House today by the Green Party gives the impression that simply halting the approval of very necessary measures for the welfare of animals will have a direct impact on ammonia emissions. That is simply not the case. As has been my previous position on these types of matters, which are now regularly brought before the House, the issue is about balance. That is something that the farming industry tries to seek at all times. There is a balance to be struck between curtailing the level of unavoidable emissions and the need for farming to continue to be sustainable and for food security and supply to be met domestically.”
“Those are not insignificant figures, and they point vividly to the importance of the industry to the economy and, by default, the well-being of everyone in Northern Ireland. We are in the midst of a pandemic that has required unprecedented financial support to be given to many sectors of our economy, including agri-food production. A motion that seeks to halt important progress on farms is most unwelcome. Farming in this day and age is certainly much more complementary to the environment, with farmers spending much of their day-to-day lives working the land and producing the food that we all enjoy. The effort that is expended on caring for the countryside is very clear for all to see as you drive around this great Province.”
“I declare an interest as a partner in a farm business. I rise to oppose the motion. Although the motion highlights an ongoing issue facing the wider agriculture industry in Northern Ireland, it does not in any way assist the industry with its contents, but halts development through the idea of an unwelcome moratorium. That is not the way in which to deal with this issue, as, for a variety of reasons, it would be detrimental to agriculture. <BR /> <BR />As we fully realise, farming in Northern Ireland is, by no small measure, crucial to the economy here. We are talking about an agri-food sector with a value of almost £5 billion, and it supports in the region of up to 100,000 jobs in Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the First Minister for her response. I impress on her the urgency of the situation in which many businesses find themselves. They are at their wits' end; I know that she is aware of that. It is important for them to get clarity.”
“Does the aquaculture and marine sector have any particular concerns about leaving the EU?”
“What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that the Republic of Ireland moves to repatriate illegal waste from the Republic of Ireland that has been dumped in Northern Ireland?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. We are aware that additional funding was offered to schools to provide extra assistance to children in catching up on lost school time. Will further funds be available for schools to widen the availability of that extra assistance to enable more pupils to benefit?”
“With an important eye on competitiveness, therefore, I support the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />The cap-and-trade system is important for the working of the scheme, as it incentivises the pursuit of reductions and has an important facility whereby companies can purchase allowances to assist their operations over time towards the lowering of greenhouse gas emissions. <BR /> <BR />I have a concern about competitiveness. As I understand it, the target set will be about 5% lower than the equivalent European scheme. It is therefore important that we are watchful of our competitiveness compared with the rest of the EU and what, if any, impact a lower or more ambitious target will have on our industries here. <BR /> <BR />As with much of the transitional legislation, time is of the essence. Since the UK was a forerunner in the trading scheme, I believe that it can continue to lead the way.”
“The method behind ensuring that we have an unbroken continuation of legislation is the fact that putting a cost on carbon means that an incentive exists to drive emissions down in a way that represents value for money and, critically, gives important stimulus to the private sector to invest in emissions-reduction technology and practices. <BR /> <BR />The scope of the legislation will account for 33% of the UK's emissions outputs. Indeed, it was the UK that first piloted an emissions trading scheme in 2002. That was the blueprint for the current EU trading scheme. With that in mind, it is fair to say that, from 1 January, the United Kingdom will be more than capable of operating a scheme independently, given its track record of innovation in that regard.”
“This statutory instrument is essentially a replacement policy for the UK, including the devolved regions of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where participation in the trading scheme will come into effect at the end of the transition period on 31 December. Having a continuation of policy and a rollover of regulation will ensure that the UK on the whole retains monitoring powers and the determination of our ability to continue to meet greenhouse gas emission targets. <BR /> <BR />As we know, these are very ambitious targets. Our UK targets are more ambitious than those of the EU. Therefore, in order to meet the target of net zero by 2050, the industry will have to continue to make strides on cleaner air from industrial and electrical generating installations. That will require the trading scheme, as tabled, to be enacted.”
“There is a significant importance attached to this particular SI to ensure that, post transition, a trading scheme is retained outside the EU but with the possibility of further collaboration on the issues of cleaner emissions if agreement exists to do so.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. This is one of many special instruments that have been discussed in the Committee in recent weeks and months.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. I am sure that he will agree with me that four years' waiting time for cataract surgery is totally unacceptable.”
“<BR /> <BR />As I said, the future remains unclear, especially in the shorter term. On Brexit, the ongoing discussions regarding our Department and the European Union provide an element of uncertainty; however, I believe that brighter days are ahead and that farming outside the EU will bring opportunity. I have made my views well known at the Committee about the need for the legislation that will help to maintain and operate agriculture post Brexit to be dealt with in a timely and positive manner. I hope that Members who still harbour a dislike for the democratic result of the referendum will work for the good of the industry rather than against it. I support the motion.”