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 preferred alignment for the A4 Enniskillen southern bypass was published in June 2015. Further progression of the project, through the statutory procedures to construction, are dependent on the availability of finance. Should finance become available, it would take around 18 months to two years before work could start. So it is still some time off.”
“I understand that the interchange scheme has already received £1·2 million of EU funding as part of the development and is one of very few schemes to be pre-identified for future funding. The proposed construction programme of November 2017 to December 2020 aligns the funding profile expected for the next call. Therefore, the scheme will be in a pretty good place to have a good strong bid. The project lies on the North Sea/Mediterranean corridor in the TEN-T network. Officials have successfully negotiated for the interchange's inclusion as a pre-identified project in the corridor work plan.”
“I thank the Member for his question. My officials are reviewing the inspector's report on the public inquiry into the scheme that was held towards the end of last year. I have not been updated on that at this stage, but I hope to receive that very quickly, hopefully in advance of going into purdah, so that we can make a decision on the way forward. I expect that to be with me in the next few weeks. Subject to a satisfactory outcome, the notice to proceed and the designation order will be published.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary question. I meant to say that the cost of the project in Portadown is in the region of £3 million. I understand that areas in and around Lurgan and Banbridge are also being considered for park-and-ride facilities. Those are obviously in his constituency.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Translink has appointed a design team that has very advanced plans for a 340-space park-and-ride facility beside the rail station in Portadown. Several very successful meetings have been held between Translink and Transport NI, which owns the site. I have met other Members about this, and our next step is a pre-planning meeting with the council, in the hope that a planning application will be put in place somewhere in mid-2016, with the project commencing somewhere around 2016-17.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Sustainability is obviously key in everything that we do, particularly in relation to our public transport routes. You need only speak to colleagues in East Antrim about the Larne line and Members from Newry about the services that they have. We need to look at cost. That is also key to where we are. The Member also needs to be aware that we have a very good bus link from the international airport to the city centre.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I imagine that he is talking about the Knockmore to Antrim branch line, which is maintained by Translink. <BR /> <BR />The DRD investment prioritisation strategy for Northern Ireland, which was published in May 2014, sets out a vision for future railways over the next 20 years. There is obviously an economic benefit relating to the Antrim to Knockmore line, and there are opportunities to establish a rail link to Belfast International Airport, although my understanding is that the usage of the airport would need to increase to around 10 million passengers to make that rail link viable. I suppose that, in some ways, it is aspirational, but if we were able to open such a line again it would be seen as very positive for Northern Ireland.”
“I will continue to make strong bids for additional funds as we move through the process.”
“The structural maintenance budget for 2015-16 is estimated at £44 million, leaving a shortfall of £97 million when compared with the independently assessed annual funding requirement. However, that has to be seen in the context of a £454 million investment over the last four years. <BR /> <BR />I do not doubt that budgetary pressures are impacting on jobs. I met the Minister of Finance to discuss the funding arrangements for structural maintenance. It has to be recognised that the Executive have invested in many high-profile capital road projects over a number of years, which has been a significant boost for the local industry. I am pleased to say that the starting position for structural maintenance in 2016-17 that was announced in the recent Budget is £46 million.”
“I am acutely aware of the pressures facing the local industry as a result of budgetary pressures on capital funding for structural maintenance. I met a delegation from the Quarry Products Association on 30 November to discuss the impacts that budget pressures are having on jobs, the loss of skills in the industry, the need to work across the water and the impact that that has on families. <BR /> <BR />You will appreciate that I have been in this role for a relatively short time, but I have been active in that time. Structural maintenance is one of my highest priorities, although I am conscious, as I am sure the Member is, that there are many competing priorities at departmental and Executive level.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I understand that officials are liaising with landowners, but, if there is something of a particular nature that, the Member feels, needs to be resolved, I am more than content to meet her and the said landowners.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I share his frustration — probably not quite as much, as the area is not in my constituency — but I have travelled that road many times to see its condition and the time it takes to get to Londonderry through Dungiven, and I share his concerns. However, as I said, I should be able to make an announcement on it very shortly.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am conscious of the areas that he represents. It is a key corridor, and the scheme has been on the cards for a long time. I feel privileged to be in a position in which I will be able to make an announcement shortly and to see the area open up and be able to fulfil its tourist potential.”
“I thank the Member for her question and for her perseverance. At this stage, I cannot give any specific timeline, other than to say that any announcement will include the Dungiven bypass. I am hopeful that an announcement on the scheme will be made in the coming weeks, once I have received all the final reports and been able to set in place a timescale for delivery.”
“Subject to making statutory orders, approval of the final business case and successful procurement, it is possible that the first phase of the Londonderry to Dungiven scheme could commence in the latter part of 2018-19.”
“The A6 Londonderry to Dungiven dualling scheme, which includes a bypass of Dungiven, is well advanced in its development. It has been through a public inquiry, and the inspector has produced a report embracing various recommendations. My officials have prepared a report addressing the recommendations arising from the public inquiry and are reviewing the extent of the scheme, which can be built with the funding allocated in the December 2015 Budget statement. Once I have received those reports and considered them in full, I will make a decision on how the scheme should proceed. <BR /> <BR />The indicative allocations for the 2017-18 to 2020-21 period will allow my Department to construct elements of the A6 Londonderry to Dungiven scheme, which will include a bypass of Dungiven.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am delighted to say that there have been 150,000 journeys to date through the bike share programme, and that is in just nine months. I am also really pleased that the Belfast Trust and Belfast City Council are working to further expand Belfast bikes across three Belfast hospital sites. I understand that a decision on those schemes is due to be taken at the council today, and they are expected to be in place by Easter 2016. It should include a link from the Royal Victoria Hospital site into Belfast city centre, and that will give people more confidence to be able to make journeys by bicycle. I think that the announcement is very timely given the ongoing works that my Department is undertaking in order to provide a safer space for bicycles in the city centre.”
“I am particularly keen that the Comber greenway joins the Connswater Community Greenway as a first-class facility.”
“All politics is, obviously, local. The Giro d'Italia was a wonderful showcase event that focused on a remarkable interest in cycling, not just in east Belfast but across Northern Ireland. Cycling is, of course, an important, healthy and sustainable way of travelling for everyday purposes. As I have said, to support and promote the growth of cycling, we are taking forward elements of the 2015 bicycle strategy, which includes a number of flagship schemes in Belfast city centre, the development of the Belfast bicycle network plan and the strategic plan for greenways. Those are all very relevant to east Belfast where we have seen the development of a number of excellent greenways, which I am keen to improve and extend, where possible.”
“You will be aware that my Department is undertaking to develop a bicycle network plan for Belfast that will guide the development of infrastructure around the city for the next 10 years. I also have plans for a greenway strategy, and I am hopeful that any incoming Minister will see the benefits of both those plans when allocating funding.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Obviously, I have been quite active, in the short period that I have been Minister, in relation to cycling, and I hope to continue that in the coming weeks. This year, it is anticipated that the Department will spend £2·4 million on cycling. This includes expenditure on the Active School Travel programme. In 2014-15, a total of £7·5 million was spent on cycling. That included quite a significant amount of capital for active travel demonstration projects. Other Departments also contribute to the spend on cycling. It is very difficult, then, to calculate exactly how much there is from the Executive overall. <BR /> <BR />I am aware of Sustrans's manifesto and plans.”
“For example, the Alfred Street scheme will link the two docking stations at the Gasworks with the docking station behind Clarence Court in Alfred Street and the docking station in Arthur Street. <BR /> <BR />These schemes are three of the five schemes consulted on last summer. Designs for the other two schemes, which will link the east of the city to the city centre, are still being considered, taking account of comments from the information days held as part of the consultation process. Those schemes will complete a 2·5-kilometre route from the Westlink shared foot and cycle way through the city centre to Titanic Quarter station and on to the Ballymacarrett Walkway, the Connswater Community Greenway and the Comber greenway.”
“The Member will be aware of my recent announcement about three bicycle routes in Belfast that are under construction. Work started on these last week, and Members who have been in the city centre may have seen the activity in Alfred Street. I expect these to be completed by Easter. These routes will link existing cycle tracks from the west and south of the city to the city centre and will provide greater protection for people who choose to make journeys in the city by bicycle. The schemes will also support the successful Belfast bike share scheme and help more people gain the confidence to use the bicycle as an enjoyable sustainable mode of transport.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Obviously, cost does matter. In relation to this particular scheme, a considerable amount of work and research has been undertaken to find the appropriate route. Once the announcements are made, the Member will see what that is.”
“I thank the Member for his question, although I am a wee bit perplexed by it given that the flagship projects for the A5 and the A6 have recently been announced in the Budget statement. This will significantly help the connectivity around the north-west. If the Member has other projects that he thinks would be of significance and would assist with all of this, I am more than content to meet him to discuss his concerns.”
“I have sought and am seeking Executive approval on the introduction of a land acquisition and compensation Bill. I will be seeking accelerated passage for this Bill to bring compensation levels into line with the rest of the United Kingdom, particularly England and Wales, around compulsory land purchase. This is a clear anomaly, and I want to ensure that landowners in Northern Ireland are treated fairly and equitably. That is the purpose of the request around this Bill.”
“I thank the Member for his question. To be honest, I cannot answer that, other than to say that I really do not know. Since coming into post, I have made it my business to have conversations to see what the issues have been with the A5 and A6. As I said in answer to a previous question, I met land agents, who highlighted a number of concerns, one of which was about land acquisition and compensation.”
“The Member will be aware that I have been doing considerable work on this. That is in addition to the announcement that I am looking to introduce a land acquisition and compensation Bill to assist landowners as we move through the process. That, accompanied by work that I have been doing in relation to land agents, is part of the preparation that I wanted to complete before moving on to any announcement. I am hopeful that an announcement will be made quite shortly.”
“The Member will be aware that included in the Fresh Start Agreement is a commitment by the Executive to advance the A5 western transport corridor project. The Irish Government have made a commitment to contribute £75 million match funding towards the project. That funding commitment is intended to ensure that, subject to the successful completion of statutory procedures, construction of the New Buildings to Strabane section can commence in 2017, with an estimated completion date of 2019. <BR /> <BR />In December, I invited landowners to meet me. That was an open and frank discussion, and I have since followed up on concerns that they raised. Work on the new draft statutory orders and environmental statement is now complete. The next step is their publication, and I hope to make an announcement on that shortly.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He will understand that I, too, represent a coastal constituency and am very aware of the issues. Sometimes, putting in defences is not necessarily the right thing, and there may be alternatives. <BR /> <BR />He will be aware that I coordinated a group before Christmas. I brought together representatives from councils, the Rivers Agency and the National Trust to discuss exactly what he described. It is about looking towards a lead Department, which, until this point, has been absent in this place. The conversations are ongoing, and I hope to have another meeting within the next few weeks to set in place a strategy for the incoming Minister to take forward. I accept the point that he made. The issue is being recognised and, hopefully, can be dealt with.”
“Unfortunately, with the current levels of rainfall, slopes are susceptible and there could be failures. Those are inevitable, and they may present future funding issues for my Department. I recently visited the area and am very conscious of the challenges there. I pay tribute to the engineers who work very hard to keep that road open and to keep it safe.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I can advise that the majority of the work entails strengthening of the sea defences or construction of new sea defences where existing structures were damaged beyond repair. Other work includes the construction of landslide-retaining walls at Glenarm, soil nailing of slopes at Carnlough and construction of new roadside parapet walls in the vicinity of Ballygalley. <BR /> <BR />With regard to areas at risk, I am advised by officials that, due to the soil conditions along the A2 coast road, it is extremely difficult to predict where or when a slope may fail and cause a landslide. Efforts are being focused on active areas where slides that affect the road occur, and remedial works are undertaken to minimise further deposits affecting the road in future.”
“<BR /> <BR />In light of the severe storms and heavy rainfall this winter, a further detailed inspection of the sea defences and slopes will be undertaken this spring with a view to identifying further work and funding required along that strategic part of our road network. In the meantime, Transport NI engineers will continue to monitor the road closely and will carry out temporary and/or permanent repairs as appropriate in a bid to keep that vital transport corridor open.”
“I can advise that, over the past five years, extensive maintenance work has been undertaken to prevent landslides and rockfalls and to improve sea defences along the A2 Antrim Coast Road. In the last two years, Transport NI has delivered a £950,000 structural maintenance programme to repair and strengthen sea defences and minimise landside risk. The required work had been identified following detailed inspections by Transport NI staff. As you will be aware, in a recent visit to the area, I witnessed the ongoing challenges faced by my Department through storm damage and coastal erosion. I was also able to see at first hand the crucial engineering works that are being carried out to address the engineering problems and maintain the integrity of that key route.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am of the same mind in that a stitch in time saves nine, and we should look after the roads that are currently part of our infrastructure. There has been a major consequence of reduced funding, and maintenance costs are likely to increase the longer we leave our roads without increasing the amount of patching and so forth. I am of a similar vein to where the Member is with regard to that. I see that as a priority, and it will continue to be a priority for me while I am in the Department. I will certainly be lobbying for additional moneys if and when they become available.”
“That has allowed external contractors to be re-employed in many areas. I am hopeful that Members will actually see that work is being carried out quite quickly in their areas — certainly much more quickly than before. I am keen for the public to see the difference quickly, but I also ask for understanding from Members with regard to the fact that there has been a backlog.”
“I thank the Member for his question. My Department does have a duty of care to maintain all public roads in a reasonable condition. Irrespective of budgetary constraints, the Department still has been trying to meet that legislative requirement. Transport NI regularly inspects all road networks and defects are prioritised for repair depending on their severity. Earlier in the year, although roads were still being inspected as normal and defects prioritised for repair at that stage, there has been a build-up of a considerable backlog, as the Member said, of patching and other routine maintenance works. <BR /> <BR />Thankfully, as part of November monitoring, I sought and was successful in securing the additional £50 million of resource, which was prioritised by the Executive for road maintenance.”
“I thank the Member for her question. Obviously, the structural maintenance budget for 2016-17 is estimated to start at some £46 million. Compared with 2015-16, that is a much better starting place than where we were last year. While I appreciate the Member's concerns, I hope that she understands that I share those concerns about investment and will continue to call for additional money to be spent on the roads infrastructure. She has been very specific in relation to the Hilltown area. I will write to her with regard to that scheme.”
“The overall structural maintenance budget for 2015-16 is estimated to out-turn at around £44 million against the independently assessed requirement of £141 million. That is a significant shortfall for this year, but has to be seen in the context of an investment of £454 million over the last four years. I would like to assure the Member that I will continue to make strong bids for additional structural maintenance funds at every opportunity.”
“As the House may be aware, structural maintenance includes structural drainage, patching and surface dressing as well as resurfacing. I can advise the Member that, in respect of resurfacing, the current projected expenditure for 2015-16 is estimated at just over £21 million. It has been a challenging year for capital funding for resurfacing compared with previous years, and it is an area where I have had discussions with industry representatives to listen to their concerns. <BR /> <BR />I sought and obtained additional funding for structural maintenance in the November monitoring round. The Executive allocated an additional £5 million. I am aware that this was very much welcomed by the construction industry.”
“I commend the Water and Sewerage Services Bill to the House.”
“That allowed the company to improve its performance in terms of water quality and waste water treatment year on year. It has made significant improvements in customer service, and Members will be aware of that from their personal experience through their constituency offices. It has also cut over £60 million from its operational costs. I do not see that as evidence of a failing company. Investment will, obviously, continue to be a key priority for the Executive. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, I thank my officials for their work and contribution throughout the process. I believe that the Bill will make a significant improvement to the water sector for the general public. It only remains for me to thank Members again for their contributions throughout the Bill's passage through the Assembly.”
“That strategy is in draft form and being considered by the Executive. Engagement is ongoing with stakeholders in promoting SuDS. Obviously, that engagement is extended to local councils, with a view to agreeing a way forward for the ongoing maintenance of soft SuDS. Councils have an important role as local planning authorities, and drainage issues need to be a key consideration in approving planning applications. I welcome Members' comments on that. <BR /> <BR />I also welcome the clarity that Mr Lyttle felt he needed to give on the Alliance Party's position on water charges. He referred to a lack of investment and the failings of the company. Northern Ireland Water has invested £1·7 billion in Northern Ireland's water and sewerage infrastructure since it was formed in 2007-08.”
“I do not wish to repeat all that has been said, but I thank all Members who commented, perhaps with the exception of Mr Lyttle, in such a positive way on the Bill during this Final Stage debate and throughout the legislative process. It is quite something when Members admit openly that they get excited about sustainable drainage systems. I assure Members that Northern Ireland Water will continue to work and engage with stakeholders in such a way as to provide appropriate guidance on SuDS. <BR /> <BR />Mr Lynch referred to the Welsh Assembly having a 50-year strategy: 'Sustainable Water — A Long Term Water Strategy for Northern Ireland' will be this Executive's 25-year water strategy, which will ensure that we have a sustainable water sector and will encourage and promote the use of SuDS.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Northern Ireland Local Government Association also provided useful input to the Committee's consideration of the Bill. I appreciated its input and, having listened to the evidence, added councils to the list of statutory consultees in respect of the cessation or relaxation of the duty to install water meters in domestic premises. <BR /> <BR />This important Bill provides necessary and sensible measures. It ensures that payment of the subsidy to Northern Ireland Water in respect of domestic customers can continue and takes forward important governance and environmental improvements that will result in considerable benefits to the water sector and the general public. To that end, I commend the Bill to the House.”
“Sustainable drainage is a key concern, particularly in light of the recent flooding events, and my Department will continue this important work and engage with key stakeholders to investigate how a full range of SuDS can be progressed. However, a lot of good work has already been done, and I am pleased that my Department has included soft SuDS in a number of its major road schemes. My Department also hopes to publish 'Sustainable Water — A Long Term Water Strategy' later this year. That will be another means of working towards a sustainable water sector of which SuDS is a key part. With this in mind, I was happy to broaden the references to sustainable drainage in the Bill to make specific reference to soft SuDS.”
“In particular, I thank the Utility Regulator, the Consumer Council and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency for their invaluable contributions. At Committee Stage, evidence was heard from representatives of those organisations and the construction industry. I have listened to that evidence and taken on board the concerns expressed during their evidence sessions and by the Committee itself. I have, therefore, ensured that the Bill addresses one of the main areas of concern and amended it to make it clear that the suitable alternative means of dealing with surface water, which are referred to in the Bill, include natural features and other arrangements that are commonly known as soft sustainable drainage systems or soft SuDS.”
“Now that it has reached Final Stage, I record my sincere thanks to the Chair, Deputy Chair and members of the Committee for Regional Development for their effective scrutiny of this important Bill and the recommendations contained in the Committee's report. I was pleased to be able to act on those recommendations and incorporate amendments at Consideration Stage to address them. I am confident that the Bill has improved as a result of that work. Indeed, I am grateful for the wide support shown for the Bill and for the contribution made by Members and other interested parties at Committee Stage and in all the debates during its passage through the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />Numerous stakeholders were closely involved in the development of the Bill.”
“However, the Bill is about much more than that. It also contains important governance and environmental improvements that will result in considerable benefits to the water sector and the general public. <BR /> <BR />The Executive approved a wide-ranging set of proposals for the Water and Sewerage Services Bill on 15 January 2015, and its introduction was agreed by the First Minister and deputy First Minister on 8 June 2015 by urgent decision procedure. The Bill was introduced on 16 June 2015 and has benefited from detailed scrutiny by the Committee for Regional Development and other Members during its earlier stages.”
“I do not intend to go into all the detail of this important Bill, as the Assembly has already given it careful consideration. The Bill is vital, not least because it will ensure that my Department can continue to pay a subsidy to Northern Ireland Water after March this year in lieu of domestic charging.”