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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“Direct payments from the European Union that represented over 80% of farm income provided long-term security and enabled farmers to produce safe, nutritious and affordable food whilst caring for the countryside. The South of Ireland, by contrast, has continued to invest heavily in agriculture, increasing payments for areas of natural constraint, whilst, in the North, we do not have such vital supports, which puts our farmers at a distinct disadvantage. With Brexit, we face a declining Budget, and the British Government have yet to provide any clarity on whether there will be a ring-fenced commitment to agriculture similar to the EU's common agricultural policy.”
“It stabilises farm incomes, enabling farmers to maintain or increase production, helps to keep the land in good environmental condition and boosts demand for agricultural input, such as machinery, seeds and fuel. That increased spending power supports local businesses, services and jobs in agriculture-related sectors like transport, processing and agri-tech. Additionally, the basic payment scheme allows farmers to invest in farm infrastructure, further benefiting industries like construction. Overall, the basic payment scheme is central to sustained growth and economic resilience in rural and non-rural areas. <BR /> <BR />Under the guise of austerity and post-Brexit policies, we see a systematic undermining of our agriculture sector.”
“With approximately one million hectares of farmland, primarily grassland, we have the unique ability to convert grass into protein, thanks to our ruminant livestock. In the North, 75% of land is classified as less-favoured areas (LFA), which is unsuitable for growing crops but is perfectly suited for grazing livestock. That natural resource should be protected and maximised, but the current uncertainty threatens the industry. <BR /> <BR />The basic payment scheme, known to many as the "single farm payment", is crucial to the rural economy. It provides direct financial support to farmers and has a multiplier effect throughout the local economy.”
“This is not the time to cut funding or reduce our commitment to agriculture. On the contrary, we need to invest in the future of farming to ensure food security at home and abroad. <BR />Thriving rural communities are essential for our wider economy, and agriculture is the backbone of those communities. Over 80% of farms in the North are small-scale, but we cannot assume that the end of direct payments would only impact on small farmers; it would devastate the entire sector. Research from Queen's University suggests that, without direct support, we could see the collapse of 30% of our farms. For the over 25,000 farm businesses here, the loss of direct payments could be catastrophic, threatening sustainable farming practices and the livelihoods of thousands of people.”
“I welcome the opportunity to debate the motion this evening on the farmers' basic payment scheme. Our farmers are grappling with some of the greatest challenges they have ever faced. Among them are Brexit, climate change and animal diseases. On top of those, the rising cost of production and reforms to agriculture policy are stretching our farming communities to the limit. <BR /> <BR />Local farmers play their part in global food security, particularly for countries that are not self-sufficient. In this context, our farmers are not just local producers; they contribute to the wider European and global food chain, as well as being custodians of the countryside. Global food consumption is projected to increase by 1·4% over the next decade, driven by population growth.”
“I welcome the Minister's statement. As one of the representatives of communities along that route, I can say that everyone is hoping and praying that this is it and this is the moment that things will get started on the ground. Minister, when will you be in a position to announce further details about the remaining stretches of the scheme?”
“I am glad to note that the Minister continues to lobby the British Government on the budget. May I also suggest, Minister, if you have not already done so, that you include in conversation what was the pillar 2 rural development programme, which was also funded from the EU budget but is no longer available, so that pressure can be taken off the agriculture budget?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Minister, given that the Magee task force report has now been published, do you agree that the expansion of the Magee campus is vital for the north-west in terms of increasing student numbers and boosting the economy?”
“I thank the Minister for her response and for attending the prize-giving in Dean Maguirc College, Carrickmore, on Thursday evening. Does the Minister agree that regional balance is a core component of the Programme for Government?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. He will recall that, at the meeting on 9 May, which included him, representatives of the school, the MP, CCMS and me, CCMS undertook to begin the development proposal in order to reach a situation in which the approved enrolment number reflects the actual number of pupils, which is 678 this year. Does the Minister have any update on the progress of the development proposal that was agreed?”
“In conclusion, to anyone who attempted to buy those tickets a few Saturdays ago, 'Don't Look Back in Anger' but share your views with the CMA. That could involve sharing WhatsApp messages or screen grabs. It is important that that is done. There are only three days left — it closes on 19 September — for anyone who was caught up in this and who feels hard done by to take part in the investigation. I commend today's motion.”
“As Matthew O'Toole said, their fan base is mostly derived from working-class communities. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Competition and Markets Authority investigation of the sale of tickets for the Oasis concerts. I understand that the issue is also being reviewed by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) in the South of Ireland. The CMA investigation will look at the possibility of unfair commercial practice and whether people were given clear and timely information or whether they felt under pressure to purchase tickets, at short notice, at a higher rate than expected. I welcome the call in the motion for the CMA:”
“As I said, while it is not a new phenomenon, the Oasis issue has put a spotlight on it. I know that it has happened with other acts. My colleague Louise O'Reilly TD, who sits in the Dáil, has been highlighting the issue for a while. <BR /> <BR />In my case, the tickets were not just for me but for my children, who do not understand how the prices rocketed. The bottom line is that you need to know what the prices are before you join the queue. The prices should be advertised, and everybody should have an equal chance to buy a ticket. Dynamic pricing, in my mind, is not that different from ticket touting. The practice needs to stop among ticket providers and promoters. It has left a bad taste in people's mouths. The president of my party, Mary Lou McDonald TD, made the point that working-class people have been thrown under a bus by Oasis.”
“You cannot go when it is off-peak; there are only two gigs, so you are very restricted.”
“I touched on the issue last week in a Member's statement, so I welcome the motion. While the practice of dynamic pricing has come into focus following the exorbitant prices charged for Oasis tickets, it is not a new phenomenon. It was disgraceful that, a few Saturdays ago, Oasis fans, including me, my children and thousands of others, waited online for hours to get tickets for the gig at Croke Park, only for the prices to rocket within hours and without warning. I was faced with a choice of standing or seated tickets in the range of €400 to nearly €600, which is way beyond the range of my family and of the vast majority of people. Colm made the important point that you cannot go off-peak. There are only two gigs. It is not like when you go to a hotel, choose an airline or pick your time to go somewhere.”
“I thank the Minister for her response and share her sentiments on the deplorable decision and the shocking news of such a reprehensible move. It is good that the deal is back on track. She will be aware that there are other deals: I think of the Mid South West deal, which covers the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Mid Ulster District Council areas, and, of course, the Causeway Coast and Glens growth deal. Does she have any update on the progress of those deals?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. I note that the framework is based on lived experiences and on the expertise of those who work every day to end violence against women and girls. How will the progress of the strategic framework and delivery plan be measured?”
“The timing of my question was fortuitous. I note and welcome the cooperation and collaboration that has gone into the draft PFG and is ongoing. Does the deputy First Minister agree that ongoing cooperation and collaboration across all Departments, sectors and interests and, indeed, civic society is crucial to delivery of the PFG?”
“I thank the First Minister and the deputy First Minister for the launch of the draft PFG. Do the Ministers agree that regional balance must be a central component of the Programme for Government?”
“I take the opportunity and the platform in the Assembly to call on anyone who is listening in or watching or is in the Chamber and was impacted by that practice to have their say and to share their experiences with the CMA on its website. It takes only a few minutes. Hopefully, by taking part in the CMA investigation, the public and especially those affected can help to bring the unfair practice of dynamic pricing to an end.”
“As part of the investigation, the CMA invites people who bought or attempted to buy tickets to share their views with it. That could involve sharing, for example, screen grabs or any information that they might have. The important thing is that the window for submitting that information and participating in the investigation is between 5 and 19 September, which is 10 days from today.”
“The investigation is looking at whether unfair commercial practices took place, whether people were given clear and timely information to explain that tickets could be subject to so-called dynamic pricing and whether they felt under pressure to buy tickets at short notice at a higher price than they understood they would be.”
“Indeed, the president of my party, Mary Lou McDonald, has called it out, saying that it has had a disproportionate impact on working-class people, who can least afford to pay for such tickets, especially given that the support base for Oasis in Ireland and Britain is mostly in working-class communities. <BR /> <BR />That unfair practice needs to stop. Consumers need to know the price ranges when an event is advertised, know that they are fixed and know that everyone has a fair chance to buy a ticket. Basically, the practice needs to end. I welcome the fact that the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating dynamic pricing in relation to the Oasis concert. You will all have received correspondence from the CMA in recent days.”
“I take the opportunity to speak about dynamic pricing. As you know, that is the practice by which the market value of tickets and products rapidly increases with demand. Last Saturday morning, along with thousands of other Oasis fans, I logged on at 7.30 to try to get tickets for the gig. I started at number 58,516 in the queue, and, by 10.30 am, three hours later, I had managed to get to number one. When I thought that it was my moment to get the coveted tickets, I was faced with the choice of — again, this happened not just to me; it happened to thousands of other fans — standing tickets in the range of €420 to €574 or seated tickets going from €542 to €574. A lot of fans here and across the water in Britain are very frustrated. It has left a bad taste in people's mouth.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, in paragraph 37, you refer to the sustainable utilisation of livestock slurry project. Do you have any indication of what the main benefit of that would be to the farming community and the improvement of water quality?”
“The Minister will be aware that Lough Foyle is still a disputed territory. I know from previous discussions that that fact was inhibiting the Loughs Agency from fulfilling its full range of functions. I also know that it is beyond the Minister's remit to sort out a territorial dispute, but is he aware of any conversations about the matter and whether there are any conversations with the Loughs Agency about its not being able to fulfil its full remit on the preservation, protection and promotion of Lough Foyle?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement, paragraph 12 of which refers to the importance of improving air quality. He will be aware that his Department is working on ammonia emissions, which is a key, live issue. Were there any discussions with his counterparts on an all-island approach to reducing ammonia emissions?”
“We already owe our fishermen and women a debt for the work that they do in protecting our oceans, and I am sure that, with the right investment and support, they would be only too happy to play an even greater role. <BR /> <BR />The Department has allocated £3·4 million of funding from the Treasury for 2024-25, and that is welcome. It is roughly equivalent to what would have come from the EMFF. However, there is no certainty of funding for future years. The fishing industry requires consistent, reliable support and clarity for long-term funding, and that should be sought as soon as possible. <BR /> <BR />We support the motion.”
“On behalf of Sinn Féin, I welcome the scheme for financial assistance. We acknowledge that the Act came about as a consequence of the loss of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), a consequence of Brexit. <BR /> <BR />Our hard-pressed fishermen and women need whatever support they can get to sustain the industry, their livelihoods and their communities. Fishing is more than just a job: for many, it is a way of life, passed down through generations, and it is the lifeblood of coastal communities. Our fishermen and women are also custodians of our waters. They have a vested interest, more than anyone perhaps, in ensuring that we have clean, healthy seas and sea life. That is why we are pleased that the scheme, among other recommendations, makes specific mention of financial assistance for the purposes of:”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Minister, there were families in my parents' generation and before who were reared on 1 acre. You will be aware that the unanimous view of the AERA Committee is that we should revert to 3 hectares. This will knock potentially 1,400 small farm businesses out of business, which will have a knock-on impact on rural planning and vibrancy. Will it be brought in via affirmative procedure? Will you reconsider your decision?”
“In order to ensure that we can effectively, fairly and sustainably reduce ammonia emissions, any future proposals must be subject to a rural impact assessment that looks at the social and economic impacts of such measures on rural communities and identifies the proposals that work and those that do not. We support the motion.”
“Not all the measures in the draft strategy, however, are practical. Going back to the point about equipment, down in my part of the world, where there are mostly hill farms, a lot of equipment, such as dribble bars and other types of equipment, is not necessarily suitable for that terrain. We need to look at all the different land types and types of farm across the North. <BR /> <BR />The threshold should be consistent across the island, given the transboundary location of a number of affected sites. A lot of our bogs and protected areas straddle the border, and they are key to achieving a reduction in emissions across the island. The agri-food strategy in the South offers a number of possibilities for increased cooperation on an all-island basis, and that should be considered by the Department.”
“We saw, for example, the covering of slurry tanks, the low-emission slurry spreading equipment (LESSE), such as dribble bars, and the flooring operation in a dairy farm that separates the cattle's urine from their faeces, thereby preventing or significantly reducing the production of ammonia. We saw how equipment can make a big change, but farmers need support to do that. We also learned about the case of Ballynahone bog, where sphagnum and biodiversity have improved, and we were told during the meeting that one of the biggest contributing factors was the fact that a farmer whose land was adjacent to the bog had adopted the LESSE. That shows that when farmers are supported and get the right equipment, they can do it.”
“It is important to note that virtually the whole of the North will be impacted — it is only 5% or less that will not be — by the 7·5 km limit. We believe that the proposed approach could fail to achieve some of its intended outcomes in reducing ammonia, as farmers are deterred from upgrading or replacing old buildings. <BR /> <BR />One of the Minister's top priorities is the natural environment. It is clear that a reduction of ammonia is possible if financial investment exists. We in the Committee had an interesting fact-finding visit to the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) at Greenmount last week. We saw and heard for ourselves what can be done if investment exists.”
“Farms here vary in size, stock and type of land, and any evaluation of their emissions and sequestrations must consider that. <BR /> <BR />Farmers have raised concerns about the part of the operational protocol about in-combination assessments of emissions. Indeed, I raised that issue at the AERA Committee last week. It appears that, by adopting an in-combination approach, farmers who may have invested in reducing their emissions and taken steps to do that may still not get planning permission, perhaps because neighbouring farms still have high emissions. That is particularly unfair, and previous Members to speak also touched on it. There are situations where, perhaps, a proposed new development is treated as additional to, as opposed to a replacement for, something that may have had high emissions.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. Sinn Féin responded to DAERA's consultations on the ammonia strategy and the future operational protocol. We support logical, practical and well-thought-out policies and, where necessary, legislation that will support farmers to reduce ammonia emissions. However, in our submission to the consultation on the future operational protocol, we highlighted fundamental issues with some of the proposals. While we support the goal of addressing the impacts of air pollution on the natural environment, we have a number of concerns around some proposed methods of evaluating and reducing ammonia emissions in a future operational protocol. We are concerned that a one-size-fits-all approach to ammonia reduction on farms would not be fair, effective or sustainable.”
“Minister, given the prevalence of potholes, what is your assessment of the use of concrete for road repairs?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. The statement refers to cooperation on animal health issues across the island. We have a serious issue with bovine TB. We have a rate of 10% in the North, compared with a rate of 5% in the South, and it costs your Department £53 million. Was there any discussion on cooperation on testing and preventative regimes, particularly in border areas?”
“<BR /> <BR />As we look to the future, we need the required fiscal levers and multi-year Budgets to enable long-term planning and proper investment in agriculture and rural communities. I support the motion and commend the Minister for her achievements on the interim fiscal framework and achieving her first Budget.”
“It is always worth remembering that when we were in the EU, the single farm payment and most of the rural development programme came as a separate ring-fenced budget from our block grant. When we exited the EU, we were promised by the UK Government that that lost funding would be replaced. We have not seen the colour of that money, and that has had a serious impact on our rural communities. <BR /> <BR />Another issue of major financial concern is the TB programme. Officials highlighted to the Committee its increasing cost: TB compensation was £38 million in 2022-23, which was up from £19·5 million in 2019-2020, and the overall programme costs in the region of £50 million. If we can get to grips with that disease, it should free up money for other aspects of farming and rural communities.”
“<BR /> <BR />While most of the budget is ring-fenced for farm support payments — I welcome the fact, which I heard from DAERA officials, that the farm budget is £332·5 million for 2024-25 — the key thing is that there is no clarity beyond 2024-25. Without certainty beyond that date, how are farmers supposed to run their businesses and make plans? Farmers highlighted the problem that the prices that they get for their produce do not cover the cost of production. Budget certainty is critical. As one farmer said to us at the Balmoral show a couple of weeks ago, food does not come from the local supermarket; it just sells it. Food comes from farms, and that is a really important point to make. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin wants farm support and a rural development programme to continue as part of a multi-year, ring-fenced Budget.”
“<BR /> <BR />Rural communities must not be ignored. They face many challenges, and we are seeing the consequences of the Tory Government's overlooking rural votes, with their seats up for grabs at the next general election, if the polls are to be believed. Our rural communities need investment and support from government policy that is cross-departmental. The success of rural communities is central to our future. Rural dwellers should have equality of opportunity. All Departments have a responsibility for issues that affect rural areas, and we all must be mindful of our statutory obligations under the Rural Needs Act, which was passed in this House.”
“We strongly believe that it is important that DAERA commits to working in partnership with rural people to create a sustainable rural community where people want to live, work and be active. <BR /> <BR />Whilst I welcome the total funding allocation for DAERA, I want to highlight the detrimental effects of Brexit on agriculture and rural communities. The Tory Government created and delivered austerity and Brexit. The EU common agricultural policy — we are not suggesting that it was absolutely perfect — at least gave certainty to farming communities and provided a seven-year multi-annual budget so that they could plan ahead. However, Brexit has delivered a huge cut to rural funding, not only to agriculture but to the rural development programme. We had a ring-fenced budget for rural funding that ended in December 2023.”
“I speak in my capacity as Sinn Féin spokesperson for agriculture, and I welcome the opportunity to make some points on the Budget. <BR /> <BR />It is welcome that the Finance Minister has secured a Budget that was agreed by the majority of the Executive parties. That will bring some clarity and stability to our public services and allow Departments to plan ahead. The agreed Executive Budget is a very welcome step given that, over the past two years, the Budget was decided by the Tory Government without our consent. <BR /> <BR />DAERA has responsibility for food, farming, climate change, environmental matters, fisheries, forestry, sustainability policy and rural affairs. The overarching aim of the Department is to put sustainability at the heart of a living, working, active landscape that is valued by everyone.”
“We are hopeful that the enrolment cap at Dean Maguirc can be raised to reflect the school's actual numbers. As such, I bring the petition to the House and will present it to the Education Minister this afternoon. I take this opportunity to call on the CCMS and the Department of Education to move at pace on the development proposal to lift the enrolment cap, acknowledging Dean Maguirc as a growing post-primary school that is at the heart of our community.”
“That is a huge vote of confidence in Dean Maguirc. I especially want to thank the young people — the pupils — who led on the petition, brought it home to their families, friends and neighbours to get them to sign it and put it in local shops, youth clubs, churches and other places for people to sign it over the past weeks. That huge response is testament to the high standard of education and learning in Dean Maguirc. <BR /> <BR />I proudly declare an interest as a past pupil of Dean Maguirc, a parent of two children who are pupils there and a parent of our eldest son, who finished his studies there a couple of years ago. <BR /> <BR />I recently attended a constructive meeting with the Minister, CCMS, representatives of the school and Órfhlaith Begley MP.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Department of Education identified Dean Maguirc as a college that has to continue to seek temporary variations to enable it to meet the demand for places. The Department's recent pilot exercise gave hope that the cap on numbers could be increased to 100 a year and 600 overall, which would be more indicative of the present numbers. The college did not, however, get its numbers increased through that normalisation process, which was disappointing, especially given that 21 other schools were given the go-ahead to increase their enrolment cap. That decision triggered a huge local reaction, and the whole community rallied round to support the call for the Dean by signing a petition to lift the cap. A huge number — 7,000 people — have signed the petition, which I have here, over the past number of weeks.”
“Dean Maguirc College in Carrickmore, County Tyrone, is a thriving college at the heart of our community. It is oversubscribed every year but is capped at 80 places a year, with a total enrolment cap of 440 places. That unfair cap is holding back the Dean and restricting pupils' choice to attend a thriving, rural, all-ability school. The college has sought to get an increase to those numbers on many occasions, but those attempts have been met with resistance from the employing authority, namely the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS). The college continues to be oversubscribed by up to 50% each year for year 8 places, and this September will see the pupil population reach approximately 670.”
“It is vital that we remain aligned across the island to protect that really important industry. It is vital that the UK Government continue to work with the EU to get a solution on veterinary medicines and ensure that there is no impact on food production or food processing from a lack of access to those medicines. <BR /> <BR />I encourage the AERA Minister to work with the Economy Minister to take advantage of the opportunities provided under dual market access, particularly in the granting of protected geographical indication (PGI) status for Irish grass-fed beef.”
“For example, the North won the world's best food destination at the 2018 international travel and tourism awards. It is vital that the UK Government and the EU continue to work together to get a solution on veterinary medicines before the grace period ends in 2025. <BR /> <BR />The protocol is an international treaty between the EU and the British Government that recognises the special status of this island and stops a hard border emerging in Ireland. That safeguards jobs and the all-island economy. Importantly, it also safeguards our food-processing industry. Taking the dairy industry as an example, Members will know that a third of the milk that is produced in the North, which amounts to 800 million litres, is exported to the South for processing.”