Michelle McIlveen
Strangford · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Public confidence depends not only on effective enforcement but on enforcement being exercised fairly and consistently. <BR /> <BR />There is widespread concern across Northern Ireland about the condition of many of our lakes and rivers, and there are a vast number of factors that contribute to water quality challenges.”
“Although we support the overall direction of travel, I think that is appropriate to reflect on the concerns that have been raised and ensure that the legislation is proportionate, practical and capable of delivering its intended outcomes.”
“If we are therefore serious about improving our aquatic environment, every source of pollution must be addressed. New legislative powers are meaningful only if the Department has the resources, the expertise and the personnel necessary to implement them effectively.”
“There is, however, a need for accompanying clear guidance and support and for regulatory consistency and prompt decision-making. Delays, uncertainty and excessive bureaucracy will undoubtedly discourage investment and undermine confidence in the sector.”
“Subordinate legislation should not become a substitute for proper democratic accountability. Consultation and engagement must be undertaken before regulations are introduced, and I cannot overstate the need for stakeholder engagement. <BR /> <BR />I will now talk about the Bill's proposed enforcement powers.”
“The DUP broadly welcomes the Bill. As has been said, it provides an opportunity to modernise legislation that, in some areas, has remained largely unchanged for decades. The Bill strengthens the protection of our fisheries, improves the regulatory framework for aquaculture and enhances the management of our water environment.”
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“The rules require an assessment to be carried out of the impact of a development on protected habitats, and NIEA will be consulted if there are any designated sites or priority habitats within 7·5 kilometres of the proposed project. Ninety-seven per cent of Northern Ireland's land mass is within 7·5 kilometres of a designated site or priority habitat. <BR /> <BR />Large pig and poultry farms are required to conform to additional requirements. However, previous ammonia standing advice was suspended by DAERA following concerns raised by the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP). In its place, NIEA has adopted an interim policy until the final policy is developed. However, that has not provided the certainty or clarity that decision-makers need.”
“In my constituency, we see considerable delays caused by staffing shortages in the southern divisional office of DFI. We are also seeing — this is a key part of the motion — the issues surrounding ammonia impact on the planning system. <BR /> <BR />Farmers need to reinvest in their businesses and replace existing buildings in order to modernise and meet new standards, including animal health and welfare and environmental targets. New and replacement buildings help them to improve the environmental impact in Northern Ireland. They also help the industry to remain competitive. Over-stringent bureaucracy or uncertainty in the application of regulation causes delay, and that impacts on development and progress. <BR /> <BR />The rules around ammonia adversely impact on local farmers when they apply for planning permission.”
“Because of that, DAERA wishes to reduce emissions to protect those habitats to allow them to comply with their legal biodiversity obligations. <BR /> <BR />Set against that, food and drink production is worth £6 million to the Northern Ireland economy. It is our largest manufacturing sector, supports a workforce of around 113,000 and is served by other sectors such as transport, animal health and construction. It should not be understated how important farming is to our economy, our environment and our people. It is for that reason that the debate has been tabled today. <BR /> <BR />Our planning system is under considerable stress. One of the primary causes of that is gridlock in our statutory agencies. We are already aware of the delays and workarounds that have taken place as a result of the underfunding of Northern Ireland Water (NIW).”
“For context, Northern Ireland is required to tackle ammonia to improve air quality and habitats. In Northern Ireland, approximately 96% of ammonia emissions come from agriculture. When ammonia is emitted into the air, it is subsequently deposited as nitrogen onto land and water, acting as a fertiliser. If it falls on sensitive species, that can result in damage and loss. That is particularly the case in areas designated as special areas of conservation (SACs), special protection areas (SPAs) and areas of special scientific interest (ASSIs). NIEA estimates that most of those designated areas and other priority habitats receive levels of nitrogen that are significantly above their critical load, which is the concentration at which damage occurs.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Further to that, what discussion has his Department had with councils and other bodies about operating in partnership to develop programmes to replace urban trees, such as the trees for streets scheme that operates on the mainland?”
“The Minister will be aware that the route is subject to coastal erosion. I am keen to know what discussions he has had with his counterpart at Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in relation to the coastal forum and any work specifically on coastal erosion that may be carried out along that route.”
“Let us have a balanced and sustainable environmental plan that we can unite behind, and let us implement measures that will address the largest polluter in this country and provide it with either the funding or the ability to raise its own capital.”
“It is time for better outcomes rather than more and more processes. <BR /> <BR />It is also important that an environmental improvement plan for Northern Ireland be brought forward by the Minister, and it must be one that can command cross-party support. While Lough Neagh is hugely important, accounting for almost 40% of our drinking water, a wider environmental issue also needs to be looked at. Any such plan needs to be balanced and deliverable. We have seen in other jurisdictions targets imposed to satisfy idealists only for them to be rowed back on, either because they are unachievable or because the damage caused to the economy and people's livelihoods is disproportionate. <BR /> <BR />Given the importance of environmental governance, what is in place needs to be reviewed as a whole before we add yet another layer.”
“I would like to see that for our existing bodies as well and for us to see the results of that funding. That is why I feel that the amendment is important. <BR /> <BR />Before we add another body to what we already have, we need a proper review of our environmental governance. Let us assess what works, what does not work and what is needed to make it more effective in delivering on our aims. Only then can we make a determination of where the gaps are and of how they can best be filled. The blind creation of another body to take resources out of a limited pot is not the right thing to do. I say that not from the perspective of ruling out an independent body but from the point of view of taking a sensible and pragmatic approach. We have a history of creating layer upon layer of governance while delivering less and less.”
“<BR /> <BR />As the proposer of the amendment said, we have already established bodies such as the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Office for Environmental Protection. While they have distinct roles, they suffer from a lack of adequate funding. I asked the Minister, in questions for written answer, about the funding of the Office for Environmental Protection and was told that, because it is a new body, the right balance of funding for it had not yet been found. Each year, the OEP has not received the funding for which it has asked. As we know, any independent environment agency will be dependent on funding from a sponsor. I note that Friends of the Earth's view is that any independent environment agency should be well funded and staffed.”
“Of course, Northern Ireland Water needs an adequate funding model and, perhaps, restructuring to allow it to borrow to invest, but that does not appear to be on the Department's agenda either. Here we have the example of a fully owned public body that is inadequately funded and absorbs the fines because it simply cannot afford to address the problem. The mere establishment of another body will not address that problem. The Department and the Executive need to address that problem. There is a clear need for Northern Ireland to be properly funded by Treasury, but that should not preclude us from taking the steps that are necessary to address the problems in Northern Ireland Water, whether that includes additional funding or the reform of the structure.”
“that underplays what has happened and what continues to occur. Between 2005 and 2022, which is the most recent year for which we have figures, Northern Ireland Water was responsible for 3,576 pollution incidents. Over 18% of pollution incidents come from one body. Between 2017 and the end of 2021, 591 pollution incidents were linked to the operations of Northern Ireland Water, with 28 warning letters and £150,000 handed out in fines. However, that did not prevent more incidents. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland Water is a body that is wholly owned by the Department for Infrastructure, but, disappointingly, that Department feels that figures on the discharge of sewage into our watercourses are an operational matter for Northern Ireland Water. That should be a matter of priority for the Department for Infrastructure.”
“I support the amendment. Appropriate environmental oversight is extremely important. Unfortunately, the motion does not fully cover the appropriate outcomes or steps to reach the outcomes that are needed to be effective. There is no acknowledgement of the lessons that should have been learned from the establishment of bodies being tasked to carry out certain roles. <BR /> <BR />It is important to point out Northern Ireland Water's role in polluting our waters. While the motion mentions:”
“I thank the junior Minister for her response. As she is aware, tackling violence against women and girls will involve societal change from early on. Can she give some more detail on how young people have been involved in the framework's development?”
“— those patients who decide that it is too much trouble to travel to the Ulster Hospital site and the impact that that might have on them in later life. Complaints and compliments are no real measure of the unnecessary inconvenience and upheaval that the decision will cause.”
“Some travel from Portavogie and Portaferry to go through Newtownards and then battle with congestion at the Dundonald bottleneck to run the gauntlet of trying to find a parking space at the hospital site, and some are constituents with disabilities who, when the final move is made to co-locate the urgent care centre with the emergency department, will be further disadvantaged by the chronically bad parking arrangements at that site. <BR /> <BR />The decision did not enhance the care of the constituents of Strangford or North Down; it enhanced the care only of those in east Belfast. No justifiable reason has ever been given for the decision to remove that important and well-used local service. Trust reports will never factor in —”
“Does the Minister stand by the comments of his party colleague, who, of course, was quoting the Minister? <BR /> <BR />If care in MIUs was of the highest standard, the decision to close was not a result of Bengoa, there were no savings to be made and there was no need to close the MIUs to deliver the urgent care centre, will the Minister take steps to reverse that decision? It has placed care further out of the reach of my constituents in Strangford. Those constituents have to stand outside in the cold and rain at 8.00 am just to get on a list for a call from a GP.”
“I ask the Minister to take the opportunity to reiterate what he said in his answers to those questions for written answer and to make it clear that the decision around the MIUs had nothing to do with Bengoa. <BR /> <BR />The trust also indicated that, in order to establish an urgent care centre at the Ulster Hospital site, it needed to close the two MIUs. Yet, in 2022, the Ulster Unionist Party health spokesperson, Alan Chambers — I am glad to see him in the Chamber — wrote a letter to the 'News Letter', criticising Paula Bradshaw MLA. In that letter, he stated:”
“If it was not for higher standards, since the highest standards were already being delivered, it must have been about making savings. However, in answer to questions for written answer tabled by Mr Easton, the Minister has said that there are no savings. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party claimed that the decision to close the MIUs in Newtownards and Bangor was as a result of Bengoa. Despite being repeatedly told by others that that was not the case, the Alliance Party has insisted on that fallacy, taking the opportunity to criticise other parties for saying one thing in relation to supporting Bengoa and doing another when it came to local services.”
“Questions had to be submitted in advance, and, perhaps coincidentally, the majority of the questions that were drawn out came from Alliance Party reps, the Alliance Party being the only party that supported the trust's proposals to close the MIUs. That party's position was not remotely reflective of the feeling in the area. <BR /> <BR />A number of local people who attended were deeply frustrated at what seemed to be a fait accompli, which is what it evidently became. They could not understand why local services were being taken away and moved to east Belfast. We heard from the trust that it was to improve services and outcomes. That seemed strange, because, in the Chamber on 22 November 2021, Minister Swann said:”
“I thank Mr Easton for securing the Adjournment debate. He pursued this issue doggedly and relentlessly during the consultation and has continued to do so since the imposition of the decision. That decision was made contrary to the vast swathe of public opinion, which simply could not comprehend why the trust was pursuing this course of action. I thank Mr Easton for his efforts in fighting this, including organising a petition that was signed by thousands of local residents. I also put on record my support for the health professionals, who are working in incredibly challenging circumstances. <BR /> <BR />I was present at a strictly controlled public consultation event in Newtownards that was run by the South Eastern Trust.”
“The Minister will appreciate that intimidation can cover a lot of scenarios. For example, there are instances where individuals who are intimidated out of their home due to their alleged criminal activity or alleged affiliation to another illegal organisation are simply moved down the street to another estate, inevitably bringing difficulties to the residents of the new estate. The Housing Executive and housing associations say that their hands are tied. Will the Minister look into how social housing providers can adequately address that issue in order to support the right of existing tenants to peaceful enjoyment of their properties, free from undue interference?”
“I call on the Agriculture Minister to urgently meet his Manx counterpart to request that the position that has been taken be reversed, and to speak to the Secretary of State at DEFRA and the Fisheries Minister to discuss alternatives for our fleet.”
“Surely that cannot be allowed to continue, when the reward for that generosity is having our traditional fishing grounds snatched away from us. The ban will cause financial stress for almost every trawlerman in Northern Ireland, and it will put pressure on the 1,850 full-time equivalents in our fishing industry and those that they support. It is imperative that DEFRA, in recognition of this devastating decision, provides some means of compensation for the loss and to support diversification, perhaps in the form of additional herring quota. In no way will that replace the economic value of what has been taken, but Northern Ireland's fishermen need our support and a principled stand must be taken.”
“It is suspected that the purpose of the closure is the Isle of Man's proposal to establish a pot fishery for prawns where our vessels trawled. With Northern Ireland vessels out of the way, they have granted themselves a free run. However, there are flaws in the evidence document. In practice, only one in four of the animals in the pot fishery will be of marketable size to langoustine buyers, so it will not be the higher value fishery that the document suggests. To achieve the hoped-for economic benefit, instead of licensing 400 pots per boat, they will require more than 1,600 pots. The environmental impact of each boat working 1,600 pots is potentially catastrophic. <BR /> <BR />The UK Government gift the Isle of Man additional fishing quotas every year, which include prawn and herring quotas.”
“On 6 February, the Isle of Man Government launched a consultation on a proposal to close vast areas of their fishing grounds, which the Northern Ireland trawl fleet has fished for generations. The consultation closed on 18 March, and access was shut off on 1 April. The Manx Government's evidence document admitted that they cannot accurately measure the value of the fishing area to our trawl fleet. It also recognised that the closed areas interfere with trawl patterns in ways that make even trawling adjacent to the closed areas unviable. <BR /> <BR />The Isle of Man Government purport to have done that to protect blue-carbon habitats, but the science does not support blanket trawling bans as an effective measure.”
“I thank the Minister and, in particular, his officials with whom I have engaged on behalf of potato farmers since the autumn floods, but I cannot adequately express the disappointment felt by those farmers who, frankly, believe that the Minister was not brave enough to intervene and give them the vital financial support that they needed following the extensive loss of crop, while other businesses were able to avail themselves of support. How does that decision sit with the Minister's desire to champion the horticulture sector, much of which may go out of business as a result of his inaction?”
“I appreciate that this may come from left field, but I would appreciate it if the Minister could also write to me on whether she has any intention to bring forward legislation to bring into law the recommendations of the Northern Ireland Law Commission, following its review in 2013 relating to apartments, to address the problems experienced by those who own and live in apartments and other properties with elements of shared ownership. I declare an interest as someone who owns an apartment.”
“A further assessment of the integrity of this vital road is needed, and there must be funding for those repairs, not just patching of what is there. Addressing those flooding flashpoints now would save considerable expense at a later date. <BR /> <BR />We must invest in addressing the dangers of those accident black spots along the road. It is not good enough to blame driver error: there are blind corners and blind hills that, with the appropriate design and funding, could be engineered out. We do not need a major dualling scheme like the A5; we just need a safe road.”
“Those areas are getting more susceptible to flooding, which affects the integrity of the road surface. Both issues pose risks to drivers and vehicles. <BR /> <BR />The Department seriously needs to look at the way that it spends money. We have had £80 million spent on the A5 and £24 million spent on the York Street interchange, with not a sod cut. While I appreciate the challenges with each of those projects, a small portion of any of those budgets would make huge improvements to safety along the Portaferry Road. <BR /> <BR />We could start by moving the national speed limit to take into account the settlement limit of Newtownards. We could also stop slavishly following policy and address the risks to the public and upgrade the footpath from Teal Rocks into Newtownards to create a safe walking environment.”
“There is evidence of erosion at Anne's Point and the sea wall approaching Newtownards. As that continues, there will continue to be risks of other voids opening. <BR /> <BR />When I was Regional Development Minister, I commissioned an extensive assessment of the road following the tidal surge at that time, which resulted in essential remedial works being carried out. However, a number of storms have recently battered that coastline. On four occasions in the last four months, the road has been closed due to surface water and flooding during severe weather incidents. One of the areas that are being adversely impacted is at Nunsquarter, where the Inishargy Road meets the Portaferry Road, and another is near the Maltings, just beyond Teal Rocks.”
“The planning permission for that piece of land has been continually renewed for the past 30 years, and it is increasingly unlikely that the land will ever be developed. While the Department prevaricates and delays, the residents suffer an increasing risk as the road gets busier and more dangerous. <BR /> <BR />Setting aside the general condition of the road, which is the result of years of chronic underinvestment by the Department — disproportionate underinvestment, due to the flawed means of distributing funding to the council area — there are major engineering issues that need to be addressed along the road. The road, being largely along the edge of Strangford lough, is increasingly susceptible to coastal erosion. On a number of occasions, voids have opened under the road.”
“That is considered to be appropriate. From what I understand, the most recent review of the speed limit took place in 2017. However, the vast majority of the incidents that I have referred to have occurred since 2020. There is a danger with being a slave to policy, and that danger is being passed on to the users of the Portaferry Road. <BR /> <BR />A connected issue is the footpath that links Teal Rocks with Newtownards. It is in serious need of an upgrade. It is incredibly narrow and dangerous, given the volume of traffic, and walking a dog or pushing a pram is treacherous. The residents of Teal Rocks are terrified to use the footpath. When that was raised with the Department, we were told that it needs to be upgraded by the proposed developer of the land between Teal Rocks and the Old Shore Road.”
“<BR /> <BR />If I take Teal Rocks as an example, a number of the incidents that I have referred to occurred in that vicinity. It is a housing development on the edge of Newtownards of more than 170 homes. Those residents already face issues, but planning permission has been obtained for an additional 100 houses on a neighbouring piece of land that will use the exit at Teal Rocks onto the A20. There are understandable concerns that having more vehicles exiting will increase the risk of further collisions at the junction. The residential junction opens onto a 60 mph road. I raised that issue with the permanent secretary during the suspension of the Assembly. When the Assembly was restored, I asked the Minister if further consideration was being given to reducing the speed limit as a result of those additional houses. I was informed that:”
“All tragic accidents that have left far too many families grieving. While I have referred to two cars leaving the road in the past nine months, there were further incidents in May 2023 and July 2022, and, of course, we are all familiar with the images of the bus that ended up in Strangford lough in 2015, which made the headlines. <BR /> <BR />There is no doubt, given those incidents, that this is a dangerous road. Of course, what I have outlined are the incidents that have been reported. There are incidents that have not been reported and those that have been close shaves. Ask anyone who lives in Teal Rocks or those who regularly exit Finlay's Road about how safe they feel and how many near misses there have been. I am regularly contacted, as, I am sure, my colleagues are, by constituents complaining about the safety of the road.”
“While, thankfully, none of the recent closures had any fatalities, in recent memory there have sadly been deaths due to accidents along this stretch of road. In July 2022, a motorcyclist died after crashing into a wall. The previous month, another motorcyclist was killed when he was involved in a collision with a car just outside Newtownards. In January 2020, a lady died in a car accident just past Teal Rocks when her car left the road. In August 2020, an 87-year old passenger in a car was killed when the driver attempted to overtake on a blind hill near Kircubbin. In September 2018, another motorcyclist died after a collision with a bus. That was just a month after a man had to be pulled from a flaming vehicle following a two-vehicle collision. In 2014, an eighteen-year-old girl also lost her life following a collision.”
“Five were caused by traffic accidents, and the other four were the result of flooding.”
“The issues include flooding, coastal erosion, pedestrian safety and driver safety. <BR /> <BR />The Portaferry Road largely runs along the shore of Strangford lough. It is winding road, with a number of blind bends and hills. It is the busiest road on the Ards peninsula and serves as the most direct route for many of the villages on the peninsula to get to Newtownards and onwards to Belfast and other destinations. However, it is a dangerous road. In the past eight months alone, the Portaferry Road has been closed nine times for a variety of reasons. That, of course, only gives an indication of where an incident has occurred that required a road closure; there have been a large number of accidents and incidents along that road that do not result in road closures. Two of those closures were as a result of cars going off the road.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. First, I thank the Minister for Infrastructure for being present to respond to this important Adjournment debate on road safety along the A20 Portaferry Road in my Strangford constituency. I was under the impression that the Minister might not have been in attendance. For those of us who bring issues to the House, particularly in constituency-specific Adjournment debates, it is incredibly important for Ministers to hear for themselves the issues and concerns on the subjects from constituency representatives. I am pleased that we have the opportunity to discuss what is a huge concern to my constituents. My remarks will cover a number of issues concerning the A20, which runs from the Portaferry Road roundabout in Newtownards to Inishargy Road in Kircubbin.”
“The Minister referred to the appointment of the new CVO, but I understand that there is a challenge in his Department to recruit vets. The salary is less competitive, and there are issues with people being recruited to other regions and the private sector. Given the importance of recruitment to his Department, will the Minister commit to a salary review for those positions?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Generally, I am not in favour of a blanket ban on breeds. It is too easy to blame the dog rather than the owner, and I have sympathy for responsible dog owners. <BR /> <BR />What discussions have the Minister or his officials had with the Housing Executive and other social landlords on the proposed legislation and how it may impact on tenants who are XL bully owners?”
“This will be key to providing the industry with the confidence, certainty and competitiveness to fulfil its potential and maximise the benefits of access to markets. Most of all, the industry needs this Minister and this Department to fight for it and have its best interests at heart as it meets the challenges that I outlined.”
“The industry is crying out for the Minister to advocate on its behalf to challenge these blanket bans. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, the industry needs the Maritime and Fisheries Fund reopened to allow it to innovate, grow and move towards net zero. It needs measures to address the labour shortage and an immigration system for fishing crews modelled on the seasonal worker visa. It needs the fulfilment of FSDP's harbours recommendations, the moving forward of the technical and environmental studies and the securing of the necessary finance. It needs immediate and medium-term grant support. It needs future policies and schemes of support that are co-designed with the industry. It needs a lasting solution that respects the status of Northern Ireland vessels fishing in UK waters.”
“The actions by the Manx Government are purportedly to protect carbon sequestration on mudbanks, but there is considerable doubt about that in the industry and a concern that these actions may relate more to the Isle of Man's plans to develop its own industry. I urge the Minister to engage urgently with DEFRA and the Isle of Man Minister to develop a sensible and proportionate solution that protects Northern Ireland's interests while allowing the Isle of Man to develop its own industry. The next challenge is the Irish Republic's proposals to ban bottom trawling in its 0-6-mile zone. Again, this is claimed to be in the name of environmentalism. Fishermen are responsible environmentalists. It is in their interests to fish sustainably, and the exclusion of bottom trawlers will disproportionately impact on our fishing industry.”
“<BR /> <BR />Over and above these cost pressures, there is serious concern in the fishing industry in Northern Ireland about the reduction in the fishing grounds brought about by ineffective marine protection areas, offshore energy constructions, which have been seen to eradicate stocks of prawns and other crustaceans, and the proposed closing of huge swathes of waters by the Manx Government. The shrinking and closing of grounds will result in the overfishing of open territories and the ultimate decimation of our industry as the catch deteriorates. This would not be the case if the current waters were kept open, as they had been sustainably fished for over 70 years.”
“They do not want to bring their families, and they do not want accommodation onshore. They want to come to work and then return home to their families until the next fishing season. Attempting to shoehorn them into an expensive skill visa system presents an unachievable financial burden for the fishing vessel and, in a number of cases, an unachievable requirement for the fishermen to pass a written English exam. Disappointingly, the migration advisory committee (MAC) has not recommended that trawlermen be placed on the immigration salary list. Will the Minister seek to meet the Home Office to express these concerns and show his support for the fishing industry by advocating an immigration system for fishing crews modelled on the seasonal worker visa?”
“The quayside price for whitefish would need to increase by 9%. All that would impact on international competitiveness. It is estimated that the change in the salary threshold would see a reduction in operating and net-profit margins of 12 percentage points across the UK processing industry, meaning that the corresponding net-profit margin would be too low to provide an acceptable return, which would drive processing businesses away. <BR /> <BR />Of course, that is in addition to other pressures, including energy price rises, minimum wage increases and raw material price increases. While our fishermen are skilled, the crews do not live in the UK permanently.”
“As a result, the seafood sector is massively reliant on non-UK labour in the catching and processing sectors, with 82% of the nephrops fleet relying on non-UK labour compared with 75% of the static-gear fleet and 52% of the demersal bream trawl fleet. <BR /> <BR />The new salary threshold would have a devastating impact on those fleets, particularly the nephrops fleet. It is estimated that the new threshold could result in operating losses of between £41,500 and £83,500, which would inevitably lead to business closures and increased prices for the consumer. The price paid to nephrops vessel operators would need to be increased by 33%; the price that processors charge retailers could increase by14·5%; and the price paid to food service sector buyers would need to increase by 15·6%.”
“There are, however, even more pressing concerns. While those capital plans are incredibly important for the industry's medium- to long-term viability, immediate and medium-term grant support is critical to ensuring that fishing opportunities and operations are adequately supported. <BR /> <BR />The industry is rolling towards potential crisis, and I urge the Minister to act. The first area relates to labour shortages and the proposed increase to the skilled worker visa salary threshold. The catching sector is already struggling to address labour shortages, particularly among UK residents, and the processing sector faces the same difficulties.”
“<BR /> <BR />Turning specifically to our largest fishing harbour at Kilkeel, it is well recognised that having a new economic and marine activity centre there would bring far-reaching and lasting social and economic benefits. The hub would facilitate aquaculture, leisure boating and boat repair and decommissioning, and, with a deeper approach channel, would allow larger vessels to land. <BR /> <BR />In the Minister's press release, he said that he looked forward:”