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.”
The complete record
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 29 of 32.
“In amendment No 12, the time limit for the commencement of the Bill —”
“I thank the Member for that clarification. I am reading the amendment: it refers to "all staff". There will be severe resource implications if the Department is required to train all staff. <BR /> <BR />On amendment No 7, we feel strongly enough that the duty to report and the monitoring arrangements are included in clause 3. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 9 calls for DARD to assess how each public authority considers rural needs. There may be an implication for DARD standing in judgement of other Departments. We do not want to create anything like a false sense of accountability, as William Irwin mentioned.”
“There was a suggestion — it may have been from SOLACE — that we should refer to the draft local government order 2015, which specifies the community planning partners, and those are the groups that are listed in the amendment. Of course, amendment No 3 allows that to be reviewed every three years. <BR /> <BR />Amendment Nos 6 and 7 have been tabled for debate today by the Ulster Unionists. Amendment No 6 requires DARD to train all staff. Is that all staff in the Civil Service or all staff in public authorities? That needs to be clarified. I should also point out that DARD provides training —”
“They did not come from political parties, individual MLAs or any section of the community; they came from the grass roots and from people who are on the ground working every single day for the betterment of rural areas. We felt that the people are having their say on the Bill, and that is the way we moved on. There was consensus in the Committee on how we moved through the amendments. <BR /> <BR />With amendment Nos 1 and 2, there was a strong unanimous view from all rural stakeholder organisations that we met that "consider" should be replaced with "have due regard to" and that groups should be listed in the schedule. The local rural support networks felt strongly that groups should be listed in the schedule. Indeed, during a previous debate in the Chamber, Mr Allister said that groups should be referenced.”
“Indeed, thanks very much to the organisations that responded to the consultation and to groups like the local rural support networks, the RCN, the RDC, NILGA, SOLACE, the UFU, NIAPA and, indeed, to the DARD officials who made themselves available to the Committee to answer questions and to provide clarity as and when required. The organisations that came before us to make presentations represent thousands of people who live in rural areas, such as farmers, rural dwellers and non-farmers. <BR /> <BR />I will recap on some of our positions on the amendments. All the amendments — certainly all those that have come through the Committee — came from the grass roots. They came through rural stakeholder organisations.”
“They feel very strongly about and are very excited by the fact that the Bill has come into place. <BR /> <BR />It is important to point out that our bringing in such legislation is a first for Europe. Indeed, our counterpart in Leinster House, Martin Ferris TD, is simultaneously bringing in a rural needs Bill. This will be the first country in Europe to have Rural Needs Bills to provide legal protection for people who live in rural areas. <BR /> <BR />During the process, we spent hundreds and hundreds of hours deliberating, discussing and negotiating. Indeed, on 24 November, we spent an entire day taking evidence. It is important to reiterate the thanks to Stella and the team in the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development for helping to facilitate that.”
“I will say that during the course of deliberations on the Bill in the Committee, and indeed in our stakeholder engagement, we heard a very strong view from rural stakeholders that whilst rural proofing has been an Executive commitment since 2002, it did not really work: it was a bolt-on or something like a tick-box exercise, and there was a need for it to be included in legislation.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I would like to take the opportunity to speak in support of a number of the amendments and on the broad thrust of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />Six hundred and seventy thousand people live in rural areas. We feel very strongly that the Rural Needs Bill will go a long way to help to address their needs. Living in a rural area has a lot of issues and challenges. Those have been well talked about today, and I have no need to go into them in any great detail.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her statement. Has she had discussions with her counterparts on farm safety?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I note and welcome that, in the Minister's response, she expressed a desire for less bureaucracy and more simplification. In that context, will she consider making provision for part payments?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his answer. What measures will his Department be taking to implement the recommendation of the Equality Commission report?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for her answer. I understand that signing off the draft orders will trigger a six-week public consultation. I know from questions to your predecessor that there will be public exhibitions on the back of that. Can the Minister give us any clarity on when those will be signed off and when the six-week consultation will start?”
“Industry experts have told us that reactive patching costs 10 times as much as planned works and does not address the underlying problems, so this investment is very welcome. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, within the parameters of the budgetary settlement, we feel that a fair balance has been struck between investing in our existing network and planning the development of the strategic network that is so critical to the economic development and growth of the North. As I stated at the outset, we still have to tease out a number of key issues relating to the new DFI. We will start this tomorrow when the DFI project team comes before the Committee. I take this opportunity to say that, despite the issues that we have to tease out with officials, in the round, we support this Budget.”
“Yes, indeed. As part of the wider north-west area, I also recognise those infrastructural developments. <BR /> <BR />My second topic relates to structural maintenance, to which this Budget allocates £66 million. Indeed, as an MLA who is a member of the Regional Development Committee, I have been heavily lobbied by the QPA, has have many others, about the impact of a reduction in the structural maintenance budget. Whilst the funding allocated is substantially short of the recommendation in the Snaith review, it is nevertheless an uplift of over £10 million from the allocations in 2012-13 and 2013-14. That increases road safety and jobs. Many subcontractors in west Tyrone and other areas are very appreciative of this contribution and the uplift to the structural maintenance budget.”
“When the business case for the A5 was being constructed, they identified that it would be worth £1 billion of an injection to the local economy not just in the construction but through the trickle-down effect from the wider development. The Budget document states that £229 million has been allocated, but I understand that £170 million is required to fund section 1. I anticipate that the remaining £59 million will be for the other sections, bearing in mind that we will continue the efforts, working with the Irish Government, to uplift their contribution from the current £75 million to the original £400 million. Indeed, the A5 is part of the Irish Government's national development plan, and this will no doubt become a topic of future questions in Committee and to the Minister.”
“That is good news and absolutely vital to address the infrastructure deficit that we have west of the Bann. This has been long-awaited, especially by the business community and commuters. It will reduce journey times and increase road safety. It is also a very important economic driver.”
“I look forward, as will other members, to teasing out many of those issues tomorrow when the Department for Infrastructure (DFI) project officials come before the Committee for Regional Development. <BR /> <BR />Whilst there is a wide range of issues that we could focus on, there are two that I want to look at. One relates to flagship projects and the other to structural maintenance. Those are two very important issues in the document. <BR /> <BR />We welcome the statement from the Minister on 17 December that recognised the importance of those flagship projects for the economy and, indeed, for providing funding certainty beyond this financial year. In my constituency of West Tyrone — Mr Buchanan referred to this — one of those flagship projects related to the £229 million allocated to the A5 over the next number of years.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I will speak on behalf of our party and, indeed, of my Sinn Féin colleagues on the Committee for Regional Development. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on the Budget. <BR /> <BR />It is very important to point out from the outset that DRD is operating within a 9% cut, so it has taken its fair share of the cuts. Despite that, I think it is fair to say that we have a fair and balanced distribution of the funding allocation. Whilst there are a number of outstanding issues relating to the funding and that will have implications for the new Department for Infrastructure, most relate to functions that will be inherited by the new Department, like the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA), road safety and Rivers Agency.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his answer. I understand that a key development for progressing the campus is the development of the Strathroy link road. Is the Minister in a position to provide an update on that project?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for her answer. Will she give an update on the Scéim Pobal Gaeilge funding for all Irish language groups?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for her answer. Will she tell us what type of projects will benefit from the cooperation element of LEADER?”
“On the basis of the Minister's response, is it fair to conclude that he feels that the process is currently not fit for purpose? In what specific areas could it be improved?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Can the Minister give her assessment of how successful she feels the Loughs Agency has been in securing EU funding?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I welcome, Minister, that you made a reference to longer-term budgets and the importance of certainty for large-scale capital projects. I also welcome the fact that the A5 dual carriageway is referenced in the 'Fresh Start' document. Will the Minister now be prepared to work with her colleague the Regional Development Minister to ensure that the draft order is signed off to enable that project to progress to the next stage?”
“<BR /> <BR />In conclusion, we feel that the Bill — its four clauses include the provision to extend the legislation using subordinate legislation — will be a major step towards achieving the Executive's objective of a fairer and more equitable rural society in which people and families will choose to live, work, learn and play. I commend the Bill.”
“Last year, the rural stakeholder forum, which was set up around this time last year to consult with the Department on the need for a Bill, came up with a number of overriding themes and conclusions, one of which was that there is a need for more consistency across government. There is also a need for more transparency. The forum believes that the Rural Needs Bill will increase awareness of the need for rural proofing. A Bill will result in better application of proofing, leading to better outcomes for rural areas, and we support that. I should say that, in the context of our not looking at the Bill in isolation, our colleague Martin Ferris in Leinster House is also introducing a similar private Member's Bill in the other part of the island.”
“For starters, the scheme that has been in place since 2002 is voluntary. It does not have a statutory basis, so there is no statutory obligation on government organisations or any other organisations to rural proof their policies. As the Minister said, it is patchy in areas, and, at a Committee evidence session at the outset of the policy, one official said that rural proofing was not included at the inception of policies but was a bolt-on at the end. We believe that this legislation will have the potential to have rural needs included at policy inception and policy development and not as some sort of bolt-on at the end. <BR /> <BR />From working in rural areas, being on the ARD Committee and involved in the rural community sector, we know that, but you do not have to take our word for it.”
“We are putting it in the context of important decisions on CAP reform and how the North is being treated as a single region as we progress towards an equal rate in the single farm payment. As we move into the incoming financial year, there is a well-funded £623 million rural development programme, LEADER funding for social and economic development in rural areas and the protection of the TRPSI budget. <BR /> <BR />As the Minister said, in 2002 and again in 2009, the Executive committed to rural proofing to realise the vision of fair and inclusive rural areas where people would have equal access to services. It is becoming increasingly clear, however, that the mechanism that was being used for rural proofing is not working. It is not sufficient to achieve the Executive's aim of a fair and inclusive rural society.”
“My constituency of West Tyrone has some of the most rural, isolated areas, such as the Sperrins, and Owenkillew, which is a super output area, is the number one most deprived area in the North of Ireland for lack of services. All that is compounded by the way in which deprivation is measured by NISRA, as a result of which, not one rural area in the North of Ireland is included in the top 10 most deprived areas, which has implications for funding and support for rural areas. <BR /> <BR />As for the bigger scheme, whilst we as a party welcome the Bill, we do not see it in isolation. We see it as an important part of a wider jigsaw and one of a package of measures to support and enhance rural areas.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I take this opportunity to express support for the Bill as we reach Second Stage today. As the Minister quite rightly pointed out, 37% of people in the North of Ireland live in rural areas, which equates to about 670,000 people. Whilst there are many advantages of living in a rural area — I am one of the people who cherishes that — many exceptional challenges face people, which include isolation; very poor infrastructure; poor communication; and access to services. Indeed, during the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development's tackling rural poverty and social isolation (TRPSI) inquiry, we heard of many examples from stakeholders.”
“We have it in our hands now to try to redress that historical infrastructural imbalance in the west and north-west.”
“In the last year, I co-hosted a seminar with Trutz Haase, who was at the Committee as well. He worked for NISRA and is a very experienced and respected economic consultant. He produced deprivation measures for the island of Ireland based on the 2011 census and demonstrated clearly that where the motorway, the M1, was built in the North, there was a better spread of wealth along that corridor. He linked it clearly to the fact that the M1 was there. He has clearly linked deprivation with infrastructure. <BR /> <BR />Fifty years ago, a decision was made here to close the railway lines in counties Tyrone and Fermanagh; a crime against the people that left them very isolated. At that time, people hoped that they would see infrastructural development and that the M1 would hopefully reach that way, but that was not the case.”
“Frustratingly, Derry city is not considered as a core node, and the routes leading to it are not considered part of the core network, so they are excluded from that £200 billion pot. That is very frustrating. DRD has told us that it has lobbied the European Commission intensively for that, but it is precluded, even though it is sitting at the junction of two EU member states and is the most peripheral area of the EU. We feel that it would be a major game changer if Derry city was considered as a core node. It would open the way for funding for the A5 and A6, and indeed the port, as part of the core network. <BR /> <BR />We have already seen that infrastructure is clearly linked to economic development. You would also expect that it is linked to deprivation.”
“The chief executive made the point that the development of the A5 and the A6 is absolutely critical for the development of Derry port and the onward distribution of those supplies. <BR /> <BR />In the wider European context, Trevor Lunn and John Dallat made reference to the fact that we are miles behind many other EU countries. As we are, rightfully, debating this motion today, the implementation of the first phase of the core network within TEN-T is already taking place. That is coming out of a huge £200 billion budget for the 2014-2020 period. The objective is to have an integrated transport system across the EU to enable the seamless movement of people, services and goods. They want to have the core network established by 2030 and the comprehensive network established by 2050, with the objective of full coverage of the EU.”
“Yes, it is good that you mentioned that. A few weeks ago, we visited the Derry port, where we met the chief executive, Brian McGrath. We went along with the Regional Development Committee. That is certainly one of the issues that he raised. As the most peripheral port of the EU, it is not on the core network — nor indeed is the A5 or the A6. I was intrigued by how strategic the Derry port is. It is a gateway to Canada and North America. It handles £1 billion of trade every year, which is absolutely phenomenal, and it imports hundreds of thousands of tons of oil, coal and gas. In fact, there is a 10-acre coal yard on the site. It is also the key port of entry for plywood from China. The port in Derry is used to distribute all around Ireland and Britain.”
“At this point, I also call on the Regional Development Minister to take a look at the A5 and move on towards issuing the draft orders, which would move the project on to the next stage. <BR /> <BR />As I said, throughout the course of the project we have engaged extensively with civic society, the chambers of commerce and businesspeople in Derry, Omagh, Strabane and through the whole of the north-west. They see the A5 as being the most important project for the development of the north-west. They have cited many examples of prospective inward investors who are unwilling to invest in the north-west because of the very poor infrastructure that we have there.”
“Indeed, the economic projections that were arrived at during the planning of the road indicate that it could generate as much as £1 billion for the economy. That includes hundreds of jobs but, most importantly, lives would be saved. <BR /> <BR />Following recent comments from the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, we need to see the commitment to funding for the A5 from the Irish Government, which was pledged in the Stormont House Agreement last Christmas, honoured. At that stage, they pledged £50 million. I note that comments were made yesterday by the Taoiseach that they will continue to honour that commitment. It is important that those commitments are kept in full.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. First, I take the opportunity to commend the proposers of the motion and welcome the Minister to the House. I wish her well in her position. <BR /> <BR />At the outset, I express strong support for the motion, which proposes a focus on the north-west and the addressing of the infrastructure deficit that exists. Many projects have been referenced during the debate, but you will not be surprised that one of the key ones that many of my colleagues in west Tyrone and I are interested in is the development of the A5 dual carriageway. We have been engaging widely throughout the business community and civic society. It is an essential lifeline to the north-west.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his answer. Is the Minister confident that the anomalies in part 8.1 of the code will be rectified in a way that enables councillors to interact lawfully with one another?”
“Go raibh maith agat. Can the Minister outline her vision for the future of the AFBI estate?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Will the Minister elaborate on what work has been carried out to date in attempting to bring down the so-called peace walls?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he accept that, whilst the increase in the minimum wage will go some way to relieve the condition of people living in poverty, it does not go far enough to counter the negative impacts of the cuts in the tax credit system?”
“It is great to see the Minister here today. The debate is timely because Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is working up its local development plan as we speak. It is important that it works diligently to ensure that there is an effective spatial strategy for Carrickmore and all the towns, villages and settlements throughout the district.”
“<BR /> <BR />Reference was made to the Omagh area plan, which, I think it is fair to say, is painfully outdated. It was crafted in 1987 and is the planning framework that we are operating on. It sets out the broad uses of land in the district, but it definitely is painfully out of date. The Omagh area plan references a number of key issues: housing, industry, recreation and open space. There has been development from an industrial and economic point of view, as well as good development for recreation and open space. A lot of that has been made possible by the voluntary efforts of individuals with a bit of enterprise and dedication. There has, however, definitely been a shortage on the housing front, so I certainly support the topic being debated.”
“Barry is right: they are constantly checking the papers and with housing agents and whatnot to see what opportunities might arise. <BR /> <BR />The importance of living locally is about not just the emotional attachment, which, of course, is very important, but the sustainability of the community. It is important for services, schools, sporting organisations — we know how important those are in the Carrickmore area — shops and other services. Reference was made earlier to the primary and secondary schools in the area. I am certainly very familiar with Dean Maguirc, being a former pupil and having taught there for a number of years. Indeed, the next generation — my son — started there in September. We feel very passionately and strongly about Dean Maguirc, and it is a project that we will continue to push very strongly.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I take the opportunity to commend Barry for tabling the debate today on spatial planning to meet demand for housing in the Carrickmore area. Barry and I are from opposite ends of the same parish, so I am very familiar with Carrickmore. Indeed, I know about the great pride that people there have in the area and the demand to live locally. There is and has been for quite some time a situation there in which demand has completely outstripped supply. I can see it in neighbouring areas such as Loughmacrory, where I am from, Pomeroy and Beragh and other villages around the district such as Killyclogher. People from Carrickmore are forced to live in those areas because they cannot get a home in the village or area where they are from. That is very disappointing.”
“Martina Anderson is there today, meeting those volunteers to commend their good work and to brief them on the situation. Although I have cited Omagh, I am conscious that that is happening throughout the country. People in the community are taking the initiative, and that is resulting in a huge level of volunteer effort. I commend them today, because that gives me heart. <BR /> <BR />It is important to look at all options: at EU level; here in the Executive and the Assembly; and at a community level. All options must be explored in order to resolve this major humanitarian crisis of our time.”
“This is the huge humanitarian crisis of our time, and I think that it is important that we take a collaborative approach to dealing with it. Yesterday, I raised the issue with acting First Minister Foster during OFMDFM Question Time, and I was glad to note that a collaborative approach is being planned between the Executive and the British Home Office. <BR /> <BR />I take the opportunity to commend the huge amount of support and solidarity that I have witnessed, not just in my political role but in my community role, coming from ordinary people throughout the country who want to do something. I pay tribute to Ramona House in Omagh, which has become a focal point for aid for refugees. That work is being headed up by a team of volunteers.”
“It took the images of the two young children, Galib Kurdi and Alan Kurdi, aged five and three, who were fleeing Syria and had their young bodies wash up on a beach, to make people realise the extent of the plight that those people face. I am the parent of a three-year-old child and that image struck me very sorely. I think that most people connected that image to their own family. <BR /> <BR />Martina has just come back from visiting a refugee camp in Jordan where there are 80,000 people crammed in together with very little water, no food and very little hope. Unfortunately, most of them have only three choices: they can either die in the conflict; they can drown in a dinghy in the Mediterranean; or they can starve in a refugee camp.”
“Sorry. I regret not being in for his maiden speech, but he is very welcome. <BR /> <BR />We will all have been taken by the plight of the Syrian refugees. In local communities, not just in my district but throughout the North and throughout the country, we have seen a huge outpouring of grief from ordinary people who want to do something to help resolve the situation. <BR /> <BR />I spoke recently to my colleague Martina Anderson MEP. She made the point that, in the small strip of the Mediterranean between Italy and Libya, 30,000 people have drowned in the past 10 years. She said that it is like a floating graveyard.”