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.”
The complete record
Every one of 2,597 lines we hold for Michelle McIlveen, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 42 of 52.
“At this point, I can only give the Member a very general overview of that, but the relocation will see approximately 600 posts move, which represents about 20% of the total departmental staffing of 3,000. An HR strategy is in place which will provide the overall direction for the people element of relocation and details the detailed work completed so far. As far as possible, no one will be forced to move to Ballykelly. If it is being inferred that people perhaps took voluntary exit because they did not wish to move, I will say that it has been made quite clear throughout the process that no one will be forced to move.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The building design construction consultant was appointed in January 2016, planning approval was in February 2016 and we appointed the contractor in March 2016. Construction will start in September this year, and the handover of the building will be in 2017. It is hoped that the first people to use that building will do so in January 2018.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The relocation of a Civil Service departmental headquarters was one of the recommendations in the independent review of policy on location of public-sector jobs. The proposed relocation will stimulate the local economy through increased local spending; provision of high-quality and high-value public-sector jobs; and potentially jobs associated with the construction and ongoing servicing of a new building. The relocation will also help to share wealth across the economy and contribute to better-balanced economic growth by commencing to address disparities in the distribution of public-sector jobs in Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Member for his question. At this stage, I am not aware whether that was discounted or not or at what stage, but I am happy to look at that. As we stand at the moment, we are moving forward with the construction of that site and are looking to make best use of it.”
“I thank the Member for his question and note his concerns. I have said that there are risks associated with it, particularly around the loss of skills and corporate knowledge, and I am very keen to ensure that that is not to the detriment of my Department. I am considering various options around the transition, and I note that there may be opportunities to broaden the remit of Ballykelly, but I maybe need to have those discussions with Executive colleagues and see whether there are any plans to broaden this out to the wider Civil Service to give further opportunities for those living in the north-west to work in the Northern Ireland Civil Service.”
“That approach will mainly see corporate service support posts move first by December 2017. The skills required for those posts are of a generalist nature and are available throughout the Northern Ireland Civil Service. <BR /> <BR />A balance certainly needs to be found between relocating posts from Belfast to Ballykelly alongside retaining key skills and corporate knowledge. In taking the move to Ballykelly forward, I want to reflect further on the plans at this stage to see what best suits the long-term needs of my Department, whilst ensuring that the new site at Ballykelly is a success and provides opportunities for people who live in the north-west of Northern Ireland.”
“Executive agreement to proceed with the relocation to Ballykelly is already in place, and the contract for construction has been awarded to J H Turkington and Sons. As I progress with the plans however, I am acutely aware of the importance of business continuity and the need to have plans in place that take account of retaining crucial skills and corporate knowledge. That is particularly so given the potential scale of staff turnover both in and out of my Department over the coming years. I am currently considering a detailed staffing plan that sets out which posts will relocate to Ballykelly and when they will relocate. To ensure any risk to business continuity is effectively managed, my intention is to phase the transition of posts so that the skills and corporate knowledge needed can be preserved.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I have met him before, and I am willing to meet any Member on any issue relating to anything in my Department, so, of course, that is not a problem.”
“<BR /> <BR />At this stage, Forest Service is considering a positive business case for the transfer of land to my Department's ownership, but there are still some key issues to be resolved. Forest Service is clearly the best organisation to manage the trees, but it needs Ards and North Down Borough Council, or a partner of equivalent standing, to take responsibility for managing public access, which was of primary concern at the time of the proposed sale and, indeed, was reinforced by councillors and MLAs at that time. I am aware that Forest Service has written to the council, and the council is looking at that at the moment.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As he is aware, Forest Service currently manages the trees at Ballysallagh Forest, most of which are on land owned by Northern Ireland Water, and access to water and land around the reservoir currently remains a matter for Northern Ireland Water. In the last mandate when I was the Regional Development Minister, the Member and I spoke on several occasions about the sale of the site. Indeed, I know that he is keen to retain public access to the site, and that was key to those discussions. My colleague Gordon Dunne was particularly helpful following discussions that he had with Forest Service in opening up further discussions with it.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The 2006 forest strategy identified a long-term aim to increase woodland cover to 12% of the land area by 2050. That was to provide people in Northern Ireland with access to the same level of forestry benefits as elsewhere in the United Kingdom. The forestry chapter in the rural development programme aims to create a further 1,800 hectares of woodland by 2020, as I outlined. That will make a small but positive contribution towards our aim of 12% woodland cover. Obviously, we will look at that as we move forward and as the Programme for Government is consulted on.”
“I am aware that the rates of grant and funding available through forestry schemes are not the only factors that landowners take into account. However, this is a good opportunity for those thinking about diversifying away from farming to consider.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The rural development programme budget is sufficient to pay for 1,800 hectares of new planting, and I hope that landowners will respond positively to the new scheme, which allows for up to 100% of eligible costs. If demand increases above expectations, I will review the funding that is being made available for that.”
“<BR /> <BR />While I was at the Armagh County Agricultural Show in the very beautiful Gosford Forest Park, I had the opportunity to speak to a very enthusiastic forestry consultant who specialises in indigenous trees and to hear of the schemes she has been delivering alongside local farmers. Northern Ireland’s forests and woodlands are an important resource. I plan to visit a number of forests and sawmill businesses over the summer to understand how deciduous and conifer forests contribute to economic development, as well as improving our environment and providing places to visit.”
“As the Member is aware, it takes a considerable time to grow a forest. Forests now cover 8% of Northern Ireland, from almost nothing at the beginning of the last century, and the area of forest is slowly increasing. <BR /> <BR />The Department has two schemes. The first is delivered by Forest Service, which plans to reopen the forest expansion scheme in July 2016 and aims to plant woodlands of five hectares or more. The first tranche of the scheme received applications for over 330 hectares of new woodland. We issued offers for over 250 hectares and have received claims for 184 hectares, including 108 hectares of deciduous broadleaf woodland. The second scheme is managed by the Department to support the planting of smaller native broadleaf woodlands and will open as part of the environmental farming scheme.”
“I thank the Member for his question. We are still waiting for a response from China in relation to remedial actions for the pork sector. Any opportunities that there are and that may open up in future will be explored, and I will be very keen to work alongside DEFRA and others in relation to that.”
“<BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland also receives European funding for the rural development programme 2014-2020, and there will be opportunities for the pig industry to avail itself of support through the new farm business improvement scheme (FBIS), which includes a package of measures to support sustainable growth in the farming sector. The FBIS business development groups and farm family key skills measures have already been launched, and, subject to necessary approvals, the FBIS capital scheme will be rolled out next.”
“An improvement in prices has been seen across Europe, and I hope that it continues. The Commission has stated that it continues to monitor market conditions in the sector and has indicated that it will consider the possible introduction of a new private storage aid scheme for pig meat at an appropriate time. <BR /> <BR />In March 2016, the Commission set up a new export group called the meat market observatory as part of the package of support measures for the sector. The group is scheduled to meet for the first time on 15 July. The Commission has also set up an agricultural markets task force, which is looking at the functioning of agricultural markets and the farmers' position in the food supply chain. I am pleased that we have a local representative — Dr David Dobbin — on the task force.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I suppose I will leave it up to him whether he believes it to be enough. The Commission's main tool for stabilising the pig-meat sector in times of crisis is the provision of private storage aid, which provides aid to processors to assist in the costs of storing pig meat that is surplus to demand. In response to the difficult market situation, the Commission offered a private storage aid scheme for pig meat in January this year, with local processors receiving approval to place 195 tons into storage under the scheme. Overall, the EU scheme removed over 90,000 tons of pork products from the market at a cost of nearly €28 million. <BR /> <BR />Whilst pig prices here are still around 12% below 2015 prices, at 106p per kilo, they have risen by 5p per kilo over the last couple of months.”
“I am waiting for a response via her offices. My Department also hosted Australian inspectors in April 2016, and we await their written report later this year. <BR /> <BR />As you would expect, my officials are also working closely with the industry to make it aware of the opportunities available to those markets already open for export.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Indeed, he is absolutely right that pork producers and processors are looking for access to those markets. Securing access to markets in the likes of Australia and China remains a top priority for my Department. It is hoped that securing access to new trade markets such as those in China and Australia would mean greater returns for the pig sector and would help to mitigate the effects on producers of future price fluctuations. Therefore, securing approval to export may help to mitigate the impact of other market forces. <BR /> <BR />My Department awaits a response from China on the remedial actions our pork processors have taken following the inspection in April 2015. I spoke with the Chinese consul general to Northern Ireland, Madam Wang, quite recently. She has been incredibly helpful.”
“I have written to the local banks and financial institutions to arrange a number of meetings over the coming weeks to discuss what further measures the banks, together with my Department, can take to assist the industry during this difficult trading period. I also intend to meet the two main pork processing companies in the near future. <BR /> <BR />My Department is continuing to support the pig sector through the provision of education, training and research to improve efficiency and sustainability. We will continue to make the most of measures through the new rural development programme to help ensure that farmers are better equipped to meet the challenges ahead.”
“I am aware of the difficulties facing pig farmers right across Northern Ireland, including West Tyrone, as a result of depressed pork prices. Whilst the factors contributing to depressed prices are outside DAERA's control, my Department will continue to work to build the resilience, efficiency and competitiveness of the sector and to help farmers cope with future market volatility. To that end, my Department is working to facilitate access for our pig sector to key third country markets for pork exports, including China and Australia. <BR /> <BR />I am aware that many farm businesses are experiencing cash flow issues during this period of low returns.”
“I confirm that I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.”
“<BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to outgoing members of the Committee who have decided not to stand for election again, in particular my party colleague Stephen Moutray, my constituency colleague David McNarry, and John Dallat, for their contributions to the Committee. It would be remiss of me, given that he is here this evening, not to pay tribute — although he was not a member of the Regional Development Committee during my time — to my friend Kieran McCarthy. We served on Ards Borough Council together, and we have been friends throughout. He has been my colleague in the constituency for over 10 years. I will miss his contribution, but, of course, that is dependent upon whether I get back to this House myself. I will miss his friendship. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, I commend the Land Acquisition and Compensation (Amendment) Bill to the House.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am grateful to Members who have contributed to the debate. As others have said, I believe that the Bill will ensure that land and property owners in Northern Ireland will be compensated on a fairer basis and on the same basis as their counterparts in England and Wales. Land being taken is not easy under any circumstances, and it is particularly difficult for landowners. I want to recognise that. However, I hope that this goes, in some small way, towards helping those landowners as they move forward in the future. <BR /> <BR />I, again, thank the Chairman and the members of the Committee for Regional Development and all Assembly Members for their cooperation during the passage of the Bill.”
“<BR /> <BR />With that, I am happy to respond to any comments Members may wish to make during the debate.”
“The Bill was introduced to the House on 22 February, and the accelerated passage and Second Stage debates took place on 1 March. I am grateful to the Members of the Assembly for the contributions they made to those debates. I would like to place on record my thanks to the Chairman and the members of the Committee for Regional Development and to all my Assembly colleagues for their cooperation and agreement to the Bill proceeding by way of the accelerated passage process. Without that cooperation, it would not be possible for the Bill to have reached all its Assembly stages within this mandate. The fact that no amendments were tabled at either Consideration Stage on 7 March or, indeed, at Further Consideration Stage on 14 March further indicates, I believe, that Members of the Assembly are content with the purpose of the Bill.”
“I do not intend to address the content of the Bill to any great extent. This is a seven-clause Bill with a single aim, which is to ensure that citizens in Northern Ireland whose land has been subject to compulsory purchase are treated equally to their counterparts in England and Wales who enjoy enhanced compensation payments. The Bill will bring us into line with the more favourable position in England and Wales by reflecting the legislative changes introduced there with the abolition of farm loss payments and the introduction of two new payments: a basic loss payment and an occupier's loss payment.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I think that all Members in the Chamber could probably relay similar stories from their areas. As you are aware, additional moneys have been made available. Divisional managers have been working very hard to get through backlogs and are prioritising main routes in that. There are figures for claims made for damage to vehicles, and I am happy to provide that information to the Member.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I do not have very specific information on that, but he will be aware that I was able to secure additional funding in the November monitoring round. Also, in the earlier part of this year, I was able to secure some initial efficiency savings, amounting to somewhere in the region of £3·2 million, which is being distributed around the divisions. With regard to the mid-Ulster area — I am not sure whether this includes all of the Member's constituency, but it certainly includes Cookstown, Magherafelt and Dungannon — an additional estimated £1·4 million was received for structural maintenance and around £800,000 for routine maintenance.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Obviously, I am familiar with that roundabout. As he says, it is busy. Approximately 50,000 vehicles use it daily, which is quite incredible. Traffic surveys have been carried out in the last couple of years in advance of this. However, I think that it would be prudent of us to wait for the assessment to be concluded and to move forward from there, with regard to where it sits within the priority.”
“I thank the Member for his question. There is a survey, and an initial analysis has been carried out in relation to collision history in and around that particular roundabout. My officials are carrying out a much more detailed assessment of that area in order to establish what remedial measures are required. At this stage, I do not have that information. It should be with my Department within the next couple of months.”
“I had the pleasure of being able to go up to Enniskillen to meet those involved in the blue badge processing unit, and I commend them for the work that they have been doing. Obviously, they had been under a great deal of pressure. The backlog is being worked through, and I am glad to say that the new system will simplify the process by allowing applicants to apply online. <BR /> <BR />The blue badge was introduced over 30 years ago, and, during that time, the scheme has been operated at a significantly subsidised rate of just £2. To simplify it and make it a faster system, some slight adjustment in cost will be required, which will see the fee increase from £2 to £10. <BR />But the service will be improved and that will allow us to move towards cost recovery.”
“Furthermore, facilitating existing benefits such as the personal independence payment to support applications will come into effect when welfare reform is enacted in June 2016.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The blue badge scheme, which already provides a wide range of parking concessions for people with severe walking disabilities and those who are partially blind, is valued by all those who need extra support. Last year, my Department published the findings of a consultation process, and a number of key recommendations emerged that, I am pleased to say, received wide-ranging support from blue badge holders and other stakeholders. The recommendations included extending the eligibility criteria to include children between the ages of two and three with specific medical conditions. I am pleased to announce that that will come into force from 1 April.”
“I thank the Member for his question. My diary secretary will be panicking at the number of meetings that I have agreed to before the end of this session, but I am more than content to meet the Member in his constituency.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am aware of his interest in the area. I advise him that Transport NI has a scheme proposal to provide a roundabout at the junction. I can say that detailed design and acquisition procedures are well-advanced, and the scheme will move forward, subject to the completion of land acquisition and the necessary finance, as always, being in place.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am aware that traffic attendants are in that area at least five days a week. It is for them to ensure that badges are displayed in the correct manner and that penalty charge notices are issued to prevent such behaviour continuing in those bays. <BR /> <BR />I am more than happy to meet the Member alongside officials to discuss further the issue arising at that particular point along the road. I appreciate that it is a very busy road. There are lots of shops in the area, as well as cafes and restaurants, so there should be frequent movement of traffic in those parking areas anyway. As I said, I am happy to discuss it further with the Member.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Disabled parking bays are available in East Belfast as they are across Northern Ireland. They are in a number of areas, including provision in car parks, on-street parking and in private shopping centres. If the Member has a particular area that he believes my officials should look at and that would benefit from additional disabled bays, I will be happy to discuss it with him.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I have spoken to officials about this. The exhibitions were very well attended: we had in the region of 1,054 registered attendees. Feedback from officials was that it had been positive, with the vast majority of those attending very supportive of the scheme. However, I am aware that there are those who have concerns about their properties, and that is absolutely understandable, given the impact that the scheme will have on those families as we move forward through the scheme. My officials will work closely with those landowners to assist them in any way that they can as we move forward.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I announced a public consultation for the whole scheme in February, and that will go on to 4 April. This relates to the environmental statement for the full length of the scheme, along with a new draft direction order, draft vesting orders and stopping up of private access. That is for the length of the route from Newbuildings to Ballygawley, and that obviously includes the 1(b) section. The current funding profile agreed to 2020-21 would mean that 1(a) is commenced in 2017, which means that it should be completed by 2019, with 1(b), which is south of Omagh to Ballygawley, hopefully commencing at the latter part of the five-year budget period. That will require some further work with DFP on the funding package and is very much subject to budget.”
“As a Member for the area, I welcome that investment and recognise the importance of investing in our road maintenance in Ards and across Northern Ireland.”
“My Department has a duty to maintain all public roads in reasonable condition. Regular inspections of the road network are carried out and defects prioritised for repair depending on their severity. Roads may also be repaired as part of planned programmes of work, such as resurfacing, surface dressing or larger planned patching subject to available resources. In the current financial year, over £900,000 has been spent on resurfacing schemes in the Ards area, and I can confirm that approximately 55% of the allocated budget for resurfacing in the Ards and north Down area has been spent on roads in the Ards peninsula. I believe that that represents a significant investment in monetary terms and a commitment to maintain the roads in the Ards peninsula.”
“I thank the Member for his question. At this stage, it is too soon to comment, as we have not yet had the referendum. I guess that we will cross that bridge at that time.”
“Enhanced cycle provision, including improved connections to the streets at either end of the scheme, which arose from the consultation, was presented at the public inquiry. The inspectors' report gives their views on the matter, and a departmental statement will set out my Department's response in due course. <BR /> <BR />We look forward to the university relocating and the regeneration of that side of Belfast. Hopefully, it will improve and assist with plans for improved public transport in and around that area.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I met representatives of Ulster University to discuss its project and what the Department can do to assist, particularly as it moves a considerable number of students into the city centre. <BR /> <BR />Measures are included in the scheme to provide better connections between Yorkgate Station and the campus for those who want to walk or cycle. The scheme proposal includes high-quality footway links along both sides of York Street. Those will replace the existing fractured arrangements and take account of the increased pedestrian movements associated with the development. <BR /> <BR />Inbound and outbound cycleways are included along the length of York Street.”
“A public inquiry into the York Street interchange project was held in November 2015. In due course, my Department will publish a departmental statement setting out its response to the recommendations in the inspectors' report and make the report available for inspection. My Department has commenced the procurement process and intends to have a design-and-build contractor on board this summer to help to fully develop the scheme in order to be in a position to commence construction towards the end of 2017. <BR /> <BR />The development and construction of the scheme to the programme that I outlined is very dependent on the availability of finance. A full economic business case will have to be approved by the Department of Finance and Personnel before any commitments can be given to start construction.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Unfortunately, that is outside the remit of my Department, but I am happy to have a conversation with colleagues and pass that information to him.”
“I understand that it operates every 10 minutes at peak flight times and at a minimum of every 30 minutes at all other times.”