Declan McAleer
West Tyrone · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“The regulations are designed to strengthen and complement the existing framework governing the welfare of animals at the time of killing. They build upon EU regulation 1099/2009 and the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing Regulations 2014, ensuring that the North maintains high standards of animal welfare.”
“Inspectors are granted clear powers to enforce the regulations, including the ability to enter premises, carry out inspections and, where necessary, seize evidence to ensure compliance. Enforcement notices may also be issued where breaches are identified, with appropriate mechanisms in place for appeal.”
“<BR /> <BR />From a resource point of view, which is another key debate, and looking at the practicalities of the Bill, we must not create a situation in which councils will be expected to take on significant new responsibilities, incur substantial costs and manage increased workloads without the necessary resources.”
“I will follow on from the key points made by my colleague Aoife Finnegan MLA. First, I record our appreciation of the Committee staff, including Janice and Glenda, for the work that they did. I also thank the Bill Office for its assistance during our scrutiny of the Bill.”
“We support the ambition of the Bill — we made that clear at First Stage and at Committee Stage, and we have made it clear today — to give councils stronger powers to intervene. However, the stronger powers must be accompanied by a framework that is properly resourced, legally robust and workable.”
“There are three council areas in our West Tyrone constituency, for instance. <BR /> <BR />We heard a lot from NILGA and received correspondence from SOLACE about the costs and the fear that costs could not be recovered. If legal challenges were brought to councils about notices that were made, it would be costly to the ratepayer.”
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Every one of 1,560 lines we hold for Declan McAleer, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 28 of 32.
“Being a former member of the DARD Committee, I know that this rural development programme was hard fought for at European level, and had to be agreed and negotiated here in terms of topping it up. We must remember that the Tories negotiated a 22% cut in funding during this CAP negotiations. We had to bridge the shortfall here, and that fact alone — that the Tories negotiated a cut during the CAP negotiations in 2014 — proves that they do not really give a damn about here. It is fanciful that we should create these wish lists, thinking that they will somehow bridge the gap. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, the North has one of the highest areas of unemployment and disadvantage in these islands. The danger of exiting is that we will end up being more peripheralised than ever, which will have a huge impact on our communities.”
“Where does 87% of the farmers' income come from in the context of exiting from the EU? <BR /> <BR />On top of that we have the £623 million rural development programme, signed off in August 2015, which opened up exciting opportunities for rural areas. There is a £250 million farm business improvement scheme, £65 million for areas facing natural constraints (ANC), £10 million for rural tourism and £70 million for LEADER, which is funding for rural projects, small businesses in local areas, community projects, crèches — a whole range — and that is in the process of being delivered. I note my recent correspondence from the Minister where no guarantees can be given beyond 2018 for that, even though the budget has been agreed until 2020, which is the term of the CAP.”
“<BR /> <BR />Last week at the Infrastructure Committee, we heard from Dr Grieve about the greenway strategy and how INTERREG V will be eligible to develop a greenway network throughout the North. Recently, in County Monaghan, €4 million was secured for their greenway, to bring it right to the border at Middletown in County Armagh. In leaving the EU, questions are raised about our access to pots of money such as that for infrastructure projects. <BR /> <BR />I turn to rural development. It is important to point out that 87% of farmers' income in the North is single farm payment. Single farm payment is just under a quarter of £1 billion per year. A pot was negotiated during the recent CAP reform in the region of £2 billion, right up to 2020. It begs the question: if the exit happens, where does that come from?”
“The danger is that, on the periphery of it, we could be more isolated and left behind. <BR /> <BR />Quite significant funds have come from the EU over the course of the last 10 years for infrastructure — in the region of £100 million. That includes £58 million in TEN-T projects for the likes of the A8 and the development of the transport hub in Belfast. We know that there are projects, such as the York Street interchange, which are eligible for TEN-T funding. Others, like the A2 and, indeed, the A5 and the A6, are part of the TEN-T comprehensive network — not eligible for the entire main pot, but eligible for parts of it as they are part of the comprehensive network.”
“That is reflected in our PFG framework, and also in one of the most recently published White Papers from the European Union, 'Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area', which sets out a long-term strategy to make the EU transport system more efficient. Central to this is TEN-T, the trans-European network. TEN-T is a multibillion-pound pot used for the funding of intermodal networks throughout the EU. The objective is to decrease the bottlenecks between EU member states to enable the free flow of goods, services and people. One of the objectives is to have the network created by 2030. Obviously, from our perspective, that begs the question: if the exit happens, what will our access be to that pot? What will happen to this part of Europe as the rest of Europe develops a comprehensive TEN-T network of ports, rail and roads?”
“I am thankful for the opportunity to speak on the motion. Our membership of the EU has a wide and significant impact on our lives. I will speak briefly on infrastructure, rural development and agriculture. <BR /> <BR />In the North, throughout Ireland and the EU transport is crucial for the free movement of goods, services and people.”
“I very much welcome the progress on the site. Indeed, this is very much welcomed by everyone in the district and everyone in west Tyrone. The Minister pre-empted my question on the Strathroy link, so I will ask another one. Given that this is a very substantial project — in the region of £140 million — and that it was advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union, what steps can his Department take to ensure that local firms and tradespeople get employment opportunities?”
“I very much welcome the Minister's announcement this morning. He has proved that he is listening, and it follows on from an Adjournment debate that we had on this very subject a number of weeks ago. Whilst many people will welcome the announcement, they will want to know how soon the money will be released and how quickly they will see differences on the ground in rural areas.”
“It might be an idea to look at some of the good or best experiences in similar parts of the world that we could draw on here. <BR /> <BR />This has been a worthwhile adjournment debate. It put a focus on West Tyrone. When we were out and about, particularly over election time, it hit us as a massive issue. It is great to see the Minister here, and I encourage him to work with Executive colleagues and look at other areas and other countries to see what practices or lessons we can learn from other parts of the world to improve the connectivity that we lack in many rural areas in West Tyrone and throughout the North.”
“<BR /> <BR />While preparing for this debate, I came across a review of a report from Scotland. Comments made by the Connectivity Secretary, Fergus Ewing, indicated that they had been doing a lot of work on mobile infrastructure in Scotland. They have been getting 4G and preparing for 5G. They have been working very closely with the private sector on initiatives to expand the 4G and prepare for 5G. They are dealing with the same mobile operators as we are here, and, even though it is a Westminster initiative, the Scottish Government have taken it forward as their own. It would be worthwhile exploring, in conjunction with the Connectivity Secretary, some of the initiatives that they have looked at, for example, business rates relief for operators and investing in the construction of new and enhanced infrastructure.”
“One of the big figures that jumped out at me was that £64 million had been spent in the past eight years on trying to improve connectivity throughout the North. That is £64 million of public money going largely to private operators to fill the not spots that we experience across the area. Whilst we have had good progress in recent years, it is not good enough. In West Tyrone, along with many other constituencies across the North that have been mentioned, there are very large not spots in rural constituencies. It is really important to draw on that £64 million and put a focus on the private sector, which has been granted millions of pounds of taxpayers' money. We need to see exactly what it has been doing to provide connectivity to rural areas. It is a huge issue.”
“It is important that people make their views known. I think that the consultation period ends on 22 July. I know that people out there feel that broadband is a massive issue in their communities. Stakeholders and individuals should have their say in the PFG consultation process and make their views known. I welcome the comment made by the Minister that the Executive wants the universal service obligation (USO) threshold raised from 10 to 30 megabits. That is a really good commitment from the Executive. <BR /> <BR />Drawing on the debate earlier, a couple of things jumped out at me. I note and welcome the fact that there has been progress in recent years, and I suppose it is a fact that there is 95% coverage across the North.”
“Not having quality broadband in certain rural areas is undermining the Department and Minister's attempts to get the faster payment of single farm payments. We hope for earlier payments, year on year, to help farmers to cope with the financial crisis that they find themselves in. <BR /> <BR />As such, I welcome the fact that the commitment to improve broadband connectivity is one of the Programme for Government indicators. That is good news; it is good that that commitment is there.”
“When you go up into the Sperrins, it is extremely isolated. The people in those areas feel very disconnected. Their broadband coverage is not very good at all. That is compounded by poor public transport. The roads could do with an injection of funding as well. People feel quite disconnected and isolated. <BR /> <BR />Broadband covers all aspects of life. It is not a commodity; it is absolutely essential for life now. Children need it for homework. Businesses need it, as does the farming community. Tom will know from being on the ARD Committee with me in recent times that perhaps the main thing to get the faster payment of single farm payments is for farmers to fill in their applications online. That is the key ingredient for the speeding up of single farm payments.”
“I take the opportunity to commend and thank Thomas Buchanan for bringing this very important issue to the House today. It is great to see the Minister here to listen to the debate. The debate follows on from another very important one that Barry McElduff tabled last week to do with rural roads. Indeed, Ross has tabled an Adjournment topic next week in relation to learning disability, so West Tyrone is fairly having a say in the last few weeks before recess. It is great to see the voice of West Tyrone being heard very loud and clear here in the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />I will pick up on some of Tom's points. Broadband is an essential commodity. All of us are out and about in the constituency. West Tyrone is a two-thirds rural constituency. Some of the most isolated areas of the North and, indeed, Ireland are in West Tyrone.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Is the Minister minded to advance a perinatal mental health approach?”
“Does the Member agree that it is highly unlikely that any of the proposals have been rural proofed and that, in light of the recent passing of the Rural Needs Act, they should be reconsidered?”
“Does the Minister have any plans to expand and develop the links that have been made in China as regards the pork industry?”
“It is great to see Members here from West Tyrone and throughout the constituency, along with the Minister and officials. It is important that we shine the spotlight on a very serious issue that affects a lot of people in West Tyrone and beyond. I hope and am convinced that the Minister has got the message loud and clear in the time that he has been in office, and I hope that he will put a focus on addressing this serious issue in the time ahead.”
“He came to the Committee last week and listened intently. Daniel raised the backlog, and the Snaith report identified a backlog in road maintenance. We need to start somewhere, and it was good to note today that an allocation has been made to road maintenance — £5·3 million — and of the £22·9 million allocated a good bit of it has been identified for road improvements. That is good news. It is important that the Minister looks at roads from a planned, strategic point of view. We learned, as many other members of the Committee will know, from the House of Commons report that reactive patching costs ten times as much as planned maintenance. It is important that the Minister and his officials take that on board and put the spotlight on rural roads. <BR /> <BR />To conclude, I commend Barry for securing the debate.”
“I know that that is shared not just in West Tyrone but throughout. When the Minister came to the Infrastructure Committee last Wednesday, he heard very loud and clear from MLAs across the Six Counties that that was a big issue. <BR /> <BR />As I said, public safety and cars are one thing, but health is also a very big issue. I live in the village of Loughmacrory, which is right in the middle of Tyrone. It is over 40 miles to the nearest acute hospital on country roads, apart from the A32 and the A505, and you would really struggle if you were in an ambulance and had to get quickly to the hospital in Enniskillen, which is the closest acute hospital. It is important that we have good roads for our health and safety. <BR /> <BR />In fairness to the Minister, he has not been in the job long; he has been in it for only a few weeks.”
“<BR /> <BR />Barry is quite right: when we were out on the campaign trail, the state of rural roads was the biggest issue by a country mile. The number of complaints that were raised about the state of rural roads was endless. Quite rightly, the issue of broadband was raised a lot as well. I commend Tom Buchanan of the West Tyrone constituency for tabling an Adjournment topic on that for next week. Both of those issues, along with many other things, combine to create a sense of being disconnected and a sense of isolation in rural areas. I think that we all got that very overwhelming sense when we were out and about recently, and we get it all the time in our constituency offices.”
“I want to take the opportunity to commend my colleague Barry McEduff for tabling the Adjournment topic, the Minister for coming here and, indeed, all the MLAs for taking part. <BR /> <BR />High-quality infrastructure is absolutely essential for economic growth and competitiveness, but also for safety on the roads. Quite a lot of airtime is passed in the Chamber on the high-profile projects — the flagship projects, like the A5 and A6 — but, as has been quite rightly stated here, the local road network is just as important to the quality of life of people who live in rural areas. We represent a constituency that is very rural, from the top of the Sperrins right down to the Donegal border and across into neighbouring counties. It is very rural and isolated. Roads are a huge issue.”
“I know that the Finance Minister and Infrastructure Minister have been working very well together, and I am aware that the Infrastructure Minister has been looking very closely at not only how to use our block grant, but how to maximise the opportunities that lie within the EU by maximising drawdown for projects. The Minister is making a good start. He will be in Rotterdam, next week, at an important TEN-T conference, where he will be promoting, encouraging and making sure that we get a fair slice of cake for regionally significant strategic projects here in the North. <BR /> <BR />In bringing my comments to a conclusion, I commend the Bill to the House. It sets the trajectory for the time ahead.”
“Indeed, the timing is opportune, given the fact that we are at the implementation stage of the DRD bicycle strategy, which you, Deputy Speaker, as the former Minister for Regional Development, very heartily endorsed and were involved in from its inception. All of this feeds into another PFG outcome of promoting healthy and active lifestyles. Good infrastructure is also vital for the economy and for achieving the other PFG outcome of achieving regional balance. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Budget Bill. Again, I am speaking as the party's spokesperson on infrastructure.”
“I welcome the commitment in the Budget to major projects, such as the A5 and the A6, which have the potential to redress that historical imbalance. Of course, that feeds into one of the Programme for Government (PFG) strategic outcomes of trying to move towards regional balance. <BR /> <BR />I also welcome the commitment towards other strategic projects such as the Belfast and Derry hubs and, of course, Narrow Water. There is also a very welcome commitment to Waterways Ireland, which, I know, the Finance Minister spoke about earlier. He is very enthusiastic about that. There is also a commitment towards cycling and greenways.”
“He made the point that the infrastructure projects that are in place, and which will be financed by the Budget, set the parameters for the next generation. They are not for just this year or next year; they are for the next generation. In fact, they will set the parameters for the next 20 to 30 years. The Budget (No. 2) Bill, which we are looking at today, sets out and maps out that trajectory for the time ahead. <BR /> <BR />In the west, some of which I represent through my constituency of West Tyrone — indeed, there are members from there around the House — we have been living with an infrastructural deficit that has stunted growth in the area. Last week, at the Infrastructure Committee, I made the point that the last train left Tyrone 50 years ago.”
“I take this opportunity to welcome the Budget (No. 2) Bill that is before us. Speaking from an infrastructure perspective, I believe that the Bill has the potential to contribute to the Programme for Government objectives of improving transport connections and increasing the use of public transport and active travel. I also note and welcome the Minister's statement earlier that more than £20 million has been set aside to improve the roads infrastructure. That will be hugely welcomed, particularly in rural areas in the west — areas that I represent. I am conscious that this will be the topic of an Adjournment debate later this evening, so it is not something that I will delve into in any depth. <BR /> <BR />The Infrastructure Minister was at the Committee, last week.”
“Minister, are there any new builds that could be impacted on by budgetary pressures?”
“The Minister obviously agrees that an exit would have a massive impact here in the North of Ireland, given our particular circumstances.”
“I commend the draft Programme for Government and encourage everyone to have their say in the development of this process.”
“<BR /> <BR />I welcome the fact that, in the document, in relation to transport and infrastructure, we see reference to the commitment to active travel and the bicycle strategy. Indeed, the Ulster canal is also mentioned. This is something that my colleague Seán Lynch is interested in and has been working at for a number of years. No doubt, we will keep this high on the agenda. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, folks, I welcome this new PFG framework. As my colleague from West Tyrone Barry McElduff said earlier on, this is an example of participative democracy. It is a new approach, which will unfold and develop as the consultation takes place with stakeholders right across the different sectors. It sets out a direction of travel.”
“In the time ahead, it is important to recognise that these strategic corridors are extremely important, not just within the North but within the wider context of the island of Ireland. These roads do not stop at the border. Indeed, the A5 is connected to the N2 at Monaghan and the N14 at Donegal. The M1 becomes the A4, which leads on through the N16 on to Sligo and into the west. It is important that we continue to work with the Irish Government. One of the objectives of the Trans-European Network, which is under way, is to reduce these bottlenecks and linkages between different pieces of transport infrastructure. We will continue to play our part as a party with the 30 Members that we have in the Oireachtas in moving this ahead.”
“I welcome the fact that the Programme for Government gives a commitment to deliver on the flagship projects announced in the Budget last August. Those have been identified in the new Programme for Government framework and include the Belfast transport hub, the stadia programme, the training facilities for emergency services and the new children's hospital. From a north-west perspective, I welcome the recommitment to the A5 and A6 in the programme. That is extremely important. It also recognises the importance of key strategic corridors like the A8, A1, M1, A4, A26 and A22. That is extremely important.”
“Whilst those individually are very welcome, it is important to point out that very good infrastructure underpins all 14 outcomes and indeed underpins all the economic and social development that we have here.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I note and welcome the draft Programme for Government with its 14 strategic outcomes and the indicators focused on societal outcomes. This is a collaborative approach, and it is very important to give people their say and a sense of ownership because it is their Programme for Government. I, along with others, will be encouraging people to have their say on this developing, rolling process by 22 July. <BR /> <BR />Speaking as the party's spokesperson on infrastructure, I welcome the fact that one of the strategic outcomes is dedicated to infrastructure. Indeed, as a representative from the west and the wider north-west, I welcome the fact that regional balance is also included as one of the strategic outcomes.”
“It was the DUP's decision to implement that, but I reiterate to the Member that is a Bill that came from the grass roots, and we feel that we have delivered the best possible Bill at this stage. As the legislation progresses and the other organisations come under its clauses, we feel that it will go deeper and stronger towards creating more fair and equitable rural areas. <BR /> <BR />I commend the Bill. We see it as a good step forward, and I commend the Minister and her Department for bringing it forward. This is a great day.”
“It came from the grass roots, and that is something that we are very proud of. We see it as a huge step forward in helping to create a fair and equitable rural society. On behalf of my party, I commend the Bill. Like many others who live in rural areas, we eagerly await its implementation.”
“I made the point at the Bill's previous stage that this is very much a grass-roots Bill. None of the amendments to the Bill came from a political party or from MLAs; they came from the grass-roots stakeholder organisations. We thrashed it through the Committee and the House, and we feel that we have come up with a very good Bill. This part of Ireland is leading the way in Europe as the first region to legally protect rural needs in legislation, and that is something that we are very proud of. <BR /> <BR />At risk of missing some out, I will mention some of the organisations that came before the Committee: the Rural Support Networks; RCN; RDC; NILGA; SOLACE; UFU; NIAPA; and, indeed, the DARD officials, who are always on hand to provide answers and information as and when required. So this is very much the people's legislation.”
“Astrid, Louise and others made themselves available to the Committee at every opportunity. They fielded questions and provided answers as and when requested.”
“We have seen a lot of changes in the way in which CAP is going to be implemented, with the North being treated as a single region, progressing towards an equal single farm payment rate and a well-funded rural development programme of £623 million, which is to be rolled out over the coming years. Tackling rural poverty and social isolation (TRPSI) and LEADER funding are also very important, and the NISRA review of the deprivation measures, which I referred to earlier, will be very important in achieving fairness and equity in rural areas. <BR /> <BR />We spent hundreds of hours debating and thrashing out these issues in the Committee. Stella is in the Public Gallery and I want to commend her and her Committee team for their very hard work in moving this on.”
“I welcome the fact that the Minister and the Department have taken the initiative to create statutory protections and embed rural proofing in legislation. <BR /> <BR />My party does not see this as the end. As the Minister quite rightly said a moment ago, this is not the end. The legislation has to be robustly implemented to ensure that we arrive at a fair and equitable rural society. We are looking at the broader picture. Our colleague Martin Ferris introduced a similar piece of legislation, through a private Member's Bill, in Leinster House, which we have been working on jointly across the island. That Bill has been introduced and he plans to move ahead with it in the new mandate following the election. We are looking at this not just in the context of across the island but in the context of CAP reform.”
“I welcome the fact that there is an ongoing review of the deprivation measures, because there is a strong body of thought and evidence gathering that rural areas are not properly reflected by those measures. <BR /> <BR />Looking back, the Executive gave a commitment in 2002, and again in 2009, to rural proofing to realise their vision of a fair and inclusive society where all services are equally accessible to people who live in rural areas. However, that vision is not a reality for many rural dwellers. In the Committee's evidence gathering and through our engagement with stakeholders, we found that rural proofing was not properly embedded. We heard many times that it was a bolt-on or an add-on, or that it was patchy, but certainly that it was not effective.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I commend the fact that the Bill has reached Final Stage today. I am one of the 37% of people — the 670,000 people — in the North of Ireland who live in a rural area. Whilst I love living in a rural area, like many in the House, I know that there are many advantages and disadvantages in doing so. For example, a lot of people in rural areas experience isolation, and infrastructure can be poor. There is lack of communication and access to services. Areas such as mine in the Sperrins, or in Owenkillew, the super output area, have the worst access to services in the whole of the North. <BR /> <BR />Many of these issues are compounded by the way in which deprivation is measured.”
“I thank the Minister for answering. I want to commend her for an excellent five years in office in the leadership that she has shown the Department. What does the Minister believe will be the strategic priorities for the Department as we move towards the next mandate?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for that answer. No doubt the Minister will welcome the proposals for the land acquisition Bill. He referred to the fact that phase 1 will cost in the region of £150 million. That leaves a surplus of £79 million. Is it envisaged that that will be used to commence some of the future phases?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his answer. First of all, I should say that the recent proposal by Dalradian to develop a processing plant at Greencastle using cyanide has caused huge local concern. I welcome the local group here today. In other examples throughout the world where these things have gone wrong, there have been devastating consequences, not just for the local area but much further afield. Does the Minister share the concerns of the local people from that area?”
“A point that I made during the last debate is that we see the Bill as part of a package of measures to improve their quality of life, including CAP reform, the £623 million rural development programme and, indeed, the protection of the tackling rural poverty and social isolation (TRPSI) budget. <BR /> <BR />We see the Bill as a huge step forward to achieving a fair and equable rural society. It is incumbent upon us as legislators to make and shape the Bill to make it as effective as we can for the people whom we represent.”
“In that respect, we are content to support amendment No 12. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 13 lists the public authorities in the Bill. That is the useful thing about having a debate: the last time this issue was raised, it was brought back to the Committee, this suggestion was made and now we have it in front of us. <BR /> <BR />We feel that the Bill is good news for rural communities. It is very much informed and driven by the grass roots, and it is important for the Chamber to reflect on that. It is good news for the 37% of the people of the North of Ireland who live in rural areas.”
“The point about amendment No 9 is that is places quite a high duty on the Department. The Minister will, no doubt, pick up on that. You do not want to create the false expectation that DARD has the legislative power to stand over other Departments and hold them to account. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 12 concerns the time limit for the commencement of the Bill. We are content to support that amendment, but stakeholders — I believe that it was SOLACE — made the point that it would be desirable to give public authorities a lead-in time to get themselves ready to implement rural proofing so that you could stagger it. I was one of those during the Committee briefings who said that rural proofing was not a new phenomenon. It has been around for a long time, so it should not be new to public authorities.”