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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“That has been noted and appreciated. <BR /> <BR />DAERA staff also continue to work hard and have done so throughout the pandemic. The processing of basic farm payments has been another important and significant job of work. Something that is worthy of note is that the basic farm payments will, for the first time, be made in full this month. That is a significant achievement, especially in these days. Also important is that over 94% of payments, totalling £265·7 million, had been made by Friday past. I know that administration costs have always been a focus for DAERA, and I believe that important progress has been made in streamlining processing payments and the use of online systems, which have had tremendous uptake in the farming community. It certainly has assisted with this drive.”
“I thank and pay tribute to the AERA Minister, Edwin Poots MLA, who has shown an acute understanding of the industry and its needs throughout his tenure and, more importantly, throughout the current pandemic. There was significant pressure on him and his officials to come up with support schemes for agriculture, and those have been delivered and well received across the sectors. It is welcome that the ornamental horticulture grant scheme is up and running, and I know that that will be of further assistance to the industry. <BR /> <BR />As I highlighted in a contribution earlier in the year, the House is clear that our agri-food industry has shown tremendous resilience throughout the pandemic. I salute all those in the industry who have kept the wheels of food production turning in difficult circumstances.”
“That having been said, it is vital that our government services continue and that we ensure that the process of governing continues across all Departments. <BR /> <BR />With regard to DAERA, I want to say that I am very proud of the agri-food industry and how it has operated under immense pressure throughout the pandemic. The resilience and energy shown by everyone involved in agriculture, both on the ground and in the industry and the Department, have meant that the Province's food requirements have been met and more.”
“With that, come further significant financial pressures on our economy and, indeed, on Stormont budgets. These are unprecedented times, and they call for unprecedented measures. There certainly have been unprecedented measures delivered over the past few months through the furlough scheme, the various well-received COVID-19 grant schemes, be those the rating grants or sports grants, and the various measures for the provision of welfare benefits. That assistance has been absolutely crucial, and many, many hundreds of businesses are operating today because of it. I thank the Westminster Treasury and our Departments for that support. <BR /> <BR />The unknown factor is the length of time for which any such measures will be required, and that makes the issue of looking to the future and budgeting very difficult at this time.”
“Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak on this matter today. Indeed, I had hoped that, since the last discussions about expenditure, the economic outlook for the Departments, not least DAERA, would be discussed in a new era where restrictions around the COVID-19 virus were a little less stringent. However, that is not the case, and we in the Chamber and in the wider community must redouble our efforts to suppress the virus and allow a degree of normality to return within the shortest possible time frame, while, of course, having every regard to the health of people, in particular the health of our most vulnerable. <BR /> <BR />These are difficult times; we all recognise that. Once again, we find ourselves in the middle of a four-week restricted period.”
“However, they must see the opportunity that exists with this important opportunity to right many EU legislative wrongs. There will be further opportunities ahead through the joint fisheries statement process, and I know that the industry, the Minister and the Committee will have more input in the finer detail. That will be an important process. I support the motion.”
“Our seas are a hugely important resource, both for food and our priceless marine environment. Our seas must be treated with the respect required to preserve the balance in marine environment and to ensure that a high-quality food resource is sustained for many more years to come. The Bill provides the opportunity to ensure that those important elements are protected by a protocol that is better suited to our coastal resources and not a quagmire of legislation that is untimely. <BR /> <BR />The Hague preference has an impact on Northern Ireland, and it is important that these types of straitjackets can be cast off as part of the new arrangements and be replaced with much more reasonable and tailored regulations. I have listened, in Committee, to much anxiety from some parties around the table on this issue.”
“It will be absolute folly if Westminster, the Assembly and other devolved regions did not make the very best of this opportunity to ensure that our fishermen are offered the greatest opportunity of establishing a thriving industry, post-transition, given that control can be regained over UK waters. It is also important to understand that control does not mean preventing access to our waters, but rather access to waters can be much more effectively controlled and monitored. This is a key element of sustainability and growth. <BR /> <BR />Sustainability has been one of the biggest debating points and, of course, it is the most vital part of the new arrangements. I believe that it will be adequately addressed as all stakeholders realise that sustainability of fishing stock is vital for their long-term survival as an industry.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill is vital because after the UK leaves the common fisheries policy, the Bill will provide a legal framework for the United Kingdom to go forward as an independent coastal state under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982. It is essential to provide important continuity and a seamless transition from EU fishing law to administration and protection under UK-wide and specific devolved nations' regulations. The Bill is a combination of elements from the common fisheries policy and other objectives that have been tailored to best help and sustain our fishing industry in the United Kingdom. That is only to be expected, given the opportunity that is presented by leaving the European Union.”
“I welcome the opportunity to comment today. As Members will be aware, deep-sea fishing and fishing rights for our trawler crews have been a constant concern over many years, with highly charged debates over fishing stocks, quotas, sustainability, rights and access to waters. At the heart of the discontent is EU policy that has been detrimental to our indigenous trawler crews. Ask any of our trawler crews in Northern Ireland and they will agree that EU policies, over the years, have had a truly negative and damaging effect on industry in Northern Ireland. Therefore, I welcome the legislative consent motion before the House today and the fact that fishermen across the United Kingdom will, in my view, be in a much better position fishing in UK waters post-transition than has been the case for many years.”
“I hope that everyone can return to work as soon as humanly possible.”
“— have been postponed as a result. I call on the Minister to act as quickly as possible to ensure that the situation is rectified as soon as possible.”
“<BR /> <BR />The effect of an outbreak, with someone potentially dying as a result, is, of course, the greatest concern, and, sadly, that has happened across both sites in recent days. However, there are many more factors to consider: for instance, the impact on hospital services such as planned surgery and other treatments being cancelled, with staff having to isolate and the massive impact that that has on patient outcomes. I raised that point yesterday with the Minister, and I thank him for coming before the House again today. The number of staff now in isolation is a major and concerning knock-on effect of the outbreak across the two sites. It is a huge worry that necessary medical procedures that were due to take place —”
“They will be concerned about the deaths that have occurred, and they will rightly enquire about how they happened. In the past few days, a level 3 serious adverse incident has been declared at Daisy Hill following the infection outbreaks, Sadly, there have been five patient deaths there. <BR /> <BR />These are certainly worrying times for everyone in the hospital. It is important to quickly establish the reasons why we have experienced this type of outbreak in two hospitals in the Southern Trust. If the causes are identified, they can be acted on to prevent further outbreaks. Is testing sufficient? Are wards regularly getting the deep cleaning that they require? Are rules being adhered to rigorously? Those are all questions that need to be answered.”
“That investigation is vital to establish the reasons why the outbreak occurred. There have been three identified outbreaks at Craigavon. We all realise, of course, that, given the complexities of the virus, no one can give a cast-iron guarantee that, even with the highest regard for safety, it is possible to completely prevent spread. However, in a hospital setting, there is an understandable public expectation that such outbreaks will be prevented or, at the very least, minimised. Therefore, how the situation has escalated so quickly needs to be established. We acknowledge the good work that has been undertaken over many months by all hospital staff to prevent outbreaks. However, people will be concerned by the developments at Craigavon and now Daisy Hill.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the matter today. Given that Craigavon Area Hospital is part of the Southern Trust area and serves my constituency, Newry and Armagh, this is an issue of importance to my constituents. First, I sympathise with the families of the patients who have sadly passed away in a hospital setting as a result of the virus. My thoughts and prayers are with those bereaved families at this difficult time. <BR /> <BR />As we know, there has been a concentration of COVID-19 outbreaks in the clinical setting of Craigavon hospital. Patients and staff have tested positive for the disease, and, following the sad deaths of six patients, the Health Minister has instigated an investigation, via a level 3 serious adverse incident, of the circumstances surrounding the outbreaks.”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the House to answer our concerns. Again, I add my thoughts and prayers for the families of those who have lost their loved ones at Daisy Hill and Craigavon hospitals in recent times. You have said that 21 staff have COVID and 67 staff are self-isolating: how is that level of staff loss affecting the day-to-day running of the hospital?”
“Are there any plans to decouple the AS level from the A level permanently?”
“I thank the Minister for his response and also for his endeavours in relation to this issue. He mentioned the backlog of pigs. I am fully aware of this and have had constituents contact me in relation to it. Has the Minister had any discussions with processors about trying to clear the backlog?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. I, too, encourage the Minister to roll that scheme out as widely as possible. I am aware that the Minister has just recently announced a road safety community fund scheme. Will that scheme be available to schools?”
“The Minister will accept that Craigavon driving test centre is the second largest in Northern Ireland. Given that tests cannot currently take place there and that it covers a large area, the young people have to take tests in Newry, Lisburn or Armagh. That is totally impractical. Will the Minister assure me that, as soon as it is practically possible, the test centre will be up and running again?”
“I do not support the motion, but I will support the amendment.”
“OK. Take, for instance, our dairy industry, which has worked extremely hard to reduce its carbon intensity by 34% between 1990 and 2017. That is a commendable achievement that must be recognised and built upon. The sustainability of our industry in Northern Ireland is vital.”
“<BR /> <BR />That is only a single example, but it shows what is possible in our own government structures. Whilst those types of savings are more straightforward to make in the Civil Service, in the world of industry, efficiencies are made as a matter of course simply to ensure that businesses can remain operational and survive. There is no money to waste in wider industry, especially at this most difficult time. That is why I believe that in the green growth strategy and many of the other actions and programmes that we may seek to roll out, the onus that is placed on industry must be workable.”
“The green growth strategy is a case in point, and the opportunities for improvement in meeting our targets are many. It was enlightening to learn at a recent AERA Committee meeting that DAERA, a Department with hundreds of employees, has saved around 55,000 miles per day due to staff working from home in these new circumstances. In an era when carbon footprints are a concern, that is a staggering amount of mileage. When it is considered that that happened in the first 35 days of lockdown, one sees that it equates to 2 million miles saved, which is a very significant way of working. The positive impact of that on the environment is obvious. However, huge importance is attached to ensuring that all elements of government continue to function as required to aid our recovery whilst pursuing new ways of working.”
“With the recovery will come opportunities to do things differently, and in line with the focus today on climate change and the environment, there are opportunities that should be taken to make preparations and allow Northern Ireland to continue on the right track. <BR /> <BR />I have listened intently in the AERA Committee to our Minister, the departmental officials and industry representatives on the importance of us playing our part in addressing climate change. Indeed, I welcome Minister Poots's very pragmatic and common-sense approach to these issues. One only has to read his contributions in the Chamber to see that he has a strong affiliation with the agri-food industry and, critically, an understanding of the environment.”
“Again, that shows the importance of our agri-food sector to our Northern Ireland economy. Indeed, agri-food accounts for somewhere in the region of 100,000 jobs, and the food manufacturing sector accounts for 32% of manufacturing sales in Northern Ireland. This is an important industry, and it must be protected, especially in these most challenging and unprecedented times. <BR /> <BR />There is a new focus for the Assembly and its associated Departments. That focus is, and must continue to be, the recovery of Northern Ireland's people and its economy in line with the current health and scientific advice.”
“<BR /> <BR />While the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a harsh and regrettable toll on the health of the UK population, and indeed that of many other countries across the world, it has also taken a very harsh toll on the economic health of the United Kingdom. The predictions make for sobering reading, and when the impacts of the pandemic are taken into account along with the changes in consumer habits over a period of months, there are justifiable and serious concerns over the length of time that the economic recovery will take. <BR /> <BR />I note with interest that the renowned firm KPMG believes that it is possible that Northern Ireland will be the most sheltered in that regard, due in no small part to the strong food manufacturing base here, which has continued at speed throughout the pandemic.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. As a farmer, I am keenly interested in the protection of the environment. As I have said many times in the House, farmers play one of the most active roles in protecting and enhancing the environment by farming the land. It is also a fact that farmers are acutely impacted by climate change, given their reliance on the land and their vulnerability to extreme weather events. <BR /> <BR />The motion is laden with an unquantifiable level of commitment that is matched by a unquantifiable associated cost. Those are two very important issues that must be measured if we are to realistically address concerns around climate change whilst ensuring that we have sustainable and profitable industries in Northern Ireland.”
“The scheme, whilst not an answer to all the current difficulties, has certainly provided some relief and important assistance to our fishing fleets, which have been practically tied up since the commencement of the crisis. Uptake of the scheme has been encouraging, with scores of successful applications, as the Minister stated, meaning that assistance has been effectively administered with minimal delay. <BR /> <BR />The restrictions that were put in place were obviously important measures in those unique and concerning pandemic circumstances, and we all look forward to better days when our way of life can return to some sort of normality. I support the motion.”
“The impact of the crisis could not have been foreseen when we consider the huge downturn in demand, with restaurants and many outlets closed down. For fishermen, the costs continue for their trawlers, and this has been a concerning time for them all. <BR /> <BR />As with other sectors, it was recognised that something had to be done to ensure that there was a fishing industry to return to in Northern Ireland. Recognising its parlous position, our Agriculture Minister was successful in gaining support for financial assistance in the form of the fixed-cost scheme that is before the House today. It has been a welcome intervention for trawler owners at this time.”
“This has been an important intervention of assistance, and I thank the Minister and his colleagues for their hard work on the matter. Significant effort over a short period has been put into the scheme, and it has been welcomed by the sea fishing industry in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />As we know, COVID-19 is the cause of the crisis, and, as time has gone on, we can see just how huge an impact the virus has had not only on the health of the individuals affected but on our way of life and economically on many businesses that operate in Northern Ireland. The sea fishing industry is no different in the economic impacts felt, and, with the closure of restaurants, seafood markets and many other outlets, it is easy to see why the industry found itself in such a parlous position.”
“Indeed, I know that he has even pulled his own canoe on the River Bann, a few days ago, to see at first-hand the very real issue presented by waste in our Province. That is the sort of practical approach that must underpin this progress, to ensure that we arrive at solutions and legislation that are effective and protect, promote and enhance our environment. <BR /> <BR />The environment is our prize asset in Northern Ireland. It must be protected, and I support efforts to do so. I support the motion.”
“That should be comfort to anyone, or any group, that may have concerns that the legislation signals some kind of a relaxation of the types of important restrictions or protocols that ensure that our environment continues to be protected. <BR /> <BR />In the Committee, in recent days, we heard from DAERA officials, who provided important clarity in this regard. They are on record as having stated to members that nothing in the Bill threatens existing protections. This is essentially enabling legislation, to allow further work to take place in this very important area of governance. That must now be the real focus for everyone, and I look forward to working further on this important legislation. I know that the Minister has a real awareness of the issues, and that has underpinned his ministry thus far.”
“The Bill will ensure that protection continues for the future, post-Brexit, and that, in Northern Ireland, we can better protect our environment with our own tailored initiatives that best suit practices here and avoid cumbersome and unreflective one-size-fits-all legislation that can, on occasions, be counterproductive, as was the case with some European directives. A lot of work has still to be done on the issue and, whilst the current restrictions limit that work, it is vital that proper work and discussions continue, in earnest, to ensure that we have a workable set of arrangements for Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the general thrust of the work around this from DAERA, and the emphasis that there is no intention of making any decisions that will, in any way, reduce protections.”
“<BR /> <BR />What is important is the opportunity that this presents and, whilst everyone will want to maintain all the various rules that were effective in protecting the environment up to this point, it is important to have an element of control in which to react to circumstances that may be unique to a devolved region, such as Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />As has been voiced at Committee, and referred to by a number of people from DAERA to the Committee, the COVID-19 restrictions have hampered work on the Bill and have somewhat delayed its progress so far. Therefore, I welcome progress on the matter.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate today, and I welcome the Minister's comments on the issue. As we know and have debated on many occasions in the Chamber, the environment is a highly valued and important asset that must be protected in a meaningful and sensible manner. The Environment Bill is the method by which Northern Ireland, and indeed the rest of the UK, will protect and enhance the environment. Each devolved region will have the capacity to add to the various measures and powers that can be used to help protect our environment in the years to come.”
“I thank the Minister for his responses. Will those who have been overcharged be reimbursed?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. What is the likely impact of educational disadvantage of the COVID-19 pandemic?”
“I thank the Minister for his positive statement. I welcome the road map for the future, particularly on the need for more work to be done around the circular economy, in particular the better use of our waste material. Keeping waste in our economy is a must. How do you foresee Northern Ireland delivering on that approach?”
“I thank the Minister for his responses. I am sure that he will agree with me that farmers work tirelessly to improve our environment.”
“The scheme's importance will be in ensuring that it recognises the different levels of impact suffered across the sectors. That will be difficult and is no doubt contributing to the delay in the releasing of the assistance. It is important, however, that the scheme recognise the financial losses incurred and reflect that in allocations. <BR /> <BR />We will, God willing, get through this crisis. On the other side of the pandemic, we will still heavily rely on our agri-food sector. When all the various consumer outlets reopen, demand will once again increase. It is vital, however, that we ensure that producers economically survive the current downturn in demand. This assistance will be of some help in that regard. I urge the Minister to push forward with releasing the funding as soon as is practicably possible.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. That is open to interpretation but, yes, there may be some that did that. I know a lot of farmers who availed of the scheme, so I am not sure how many farmers were in that position. I am sure that, where farmers showed small profits, that is quite possible. <BR /> <BR />The reality of farming in normal times is harsh, as we all know. Therefore, we can understand the pressures now at play, given the pandemic and its associated impacts. The £25 million that has been made available is very welcome, and I thank Minister Edwin Poots and the Executive for their hard work in resourcing the scheme. The way in which the scheme is opened up and accessed will be important to ensuring that producers benefit from it in these difficult circumstances.”
“No one disagrees that the industry should be supported but, with limited funding available, the assistance already provided and the economic response to COVID-19 running into billions of pounds, we must be pragmatic as to how that can be done. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the self-employment scheme as an additional support and that it was open to farmers to apply.”
“<BR /> <BR />In supporting the agricultural sector generally, this issue has been discussed on many occasions within the Committee over the past few weeks. As a Committee member, I am keen to see the maximum level of support provided to our farmers across the sectors, in order to help mitigate some of the economic issues caused by COVID-19. <BR /> <BR />A number of sectors have been practically unaffected by the coronavirus, but others have been badly affected. It is important that the assistance scheme recognises that. The fact that there has been a variance in the level of impact in different sectors, must be a key part of this debate.”
“Due to the lockdown, and the need to reduce interaction between people, the purchasing trends and eating habits of consumers have been massively altered. That, in turn, had a tremendously negative impact on the food and hospitality sectors, with hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and cafes all closed. With those closures, the demand for meat and dairy products locally has been significantly diminished. <BR /> <BR />Consider that, in normal circumstances, a large fast-food operator in Northern Ireland accounted for 12% of beef used in the Province. Take, for instance, the hundreds of cafes across the Province, which all use liquid milk for coffees, desserts etc. It is clear how damaging such a significant drop in demand has been on farm incomes in some sectors across the Province.”
“That is important, and it has been the case throughout this pandemic. Food standards have remained high, and that work stops in no circumstances. Rules still must be applied and adhered to, check and rechecked, and it is all for the safety of the consumer. <BR /> <BR />It is also clear and true that farmland productivity varies greatly throughout Northern Ireland. That is recognised in many ways by various schemes designed to assist farming in areas where the general activity of farming the land is a greater challenge due to hills, mountains or, indeed, water in low-lying land. <BR /> <BR />With all that in mind, we have had to deal with a pandemic in Northern Ireland, as have many other countries across the globe.”
“At the outset of my contribution, I declare an interest as a partner in a dairy farm. <BR /> <BR />The motion makes a very valid point, and one I have made repeatedly in the House in the past few months, and that is the importance of our food producers at all times, but especially so in a time of great crisis. <BR /> <BR />Farmers and farm families have worked tirelessly throughout this crisis to produce food for us all. Having security of food supply, and safety and traceability in that supply, is of the utmost importance and it is what sets our produce apart from other regions across the globe. <BR /> <BR />Our standards are very high, and people in Northern Ireland enjoy high-quality produce from hard-working farmers across the Province. Excellent welfare standards are the foundation.”
“As the figures across all Departments show, the costs associated with government are not small and the assistance that has been offered to businesses and families to support people's income is welcome. However, there will be, as suggested by the Chancellor, a significant downside. Pressures in this Administration will, undoubtedly, greatly increase in the years ahead. We must prepare for that reality. In closing, I wish everyone involved in the fight against the virus my best wishes.”
“Whilst there was some discussion around the potential need for a deadline extension, that was proven not to have been required, as the application numbers have clearly shown. I commend farmers and those in Northern Ireland who assist with filling in forms for their efforts. <BR /> <BR />Whilst our Committee business has been somewhat interrupted and made more difficult due to the pandemic and the response to it, I welcome a further opportunity, within the Committee, to debate and discuss the issues of departmental resources. As the demands on Departments are changing so dramatically and the situation remains so fluid, this will be a very challenging time for all Departments within our Administration.”