Nichola Mallon
North Belfast · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“I have had the very moving opportunity to meet families who have tragically lost a loved one on that stretch of road. That was an important opportunity for me to hear at first hand their experience and the experiences of the local community as they try to go about their everyday business while living in close proximity to a key transport…”
“I take safety on our rural roads very seriously. My Department continues to be actively committed to improving safety on our roads and to work closely with our road safety partners to deliver a programme of road safety education, engineering and enforcement activities.”
“I thank Mr Muir and all the members of the Infrastructure Committee for very constructive working relationships. At times, those working relationships were tense, but they were always very constructive — I mean that.”
“It was important to me to take forward the motor insurance legislation to try to protect people against a hike of up to £50 in their motor insurance premiums. Members will be aware that I took the decision to freeze any hike in public transport fares.”
“That commenced a consultation process that is open until 6 May. I encourage anyone with an interest in this significant project to make their views known during the consultation period. <BR /> <BR />In advance of the major upgrade, it is important that we do what we can to improve road safety.”
“I have announced my intention to extend the concessionary fares scheme to provide free travel for people with disabilities who currently pay half fare and to new operators who have already indicated or expressed an interest in joining. I am aware that many people with a disability have limited travel options.”
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“Given the level of investment that is required, it is envisaged that it could take some 12 years, or two price-control periods, to address the issues with our water and waste water infrastructure that have been identified. It is clear that we need to have a plan. We, as an Executive, need to continue to prioritise investment in our water and waste water infrastructure if we are to realise any of the outcomes in our draft Programme for Government.”
“I am happy to provide the Member with a detailed list of the projects that we intend to take forward, because I have also ensured that, by allocating from my Department this year, we can accelerate some of the projects that were due to be worked on. I am happy to provide that detail to the Member.”
“The Member is right to highlight the acute difficulties that present themselves when we try to address the historic underfunding of our water and waste water infrastructure. As a Committee member, Mr Boylan will also know that the Utility Regulator has identified an investment requirement of £2 billion over the next price control period. He rightly identified that, this year, I have allocated £345·5 million, which is the first time in a long time that the funding requirement identified by the Utility Regulator has been met. <BR /> <BR />We know that we have around 100 locations in Northern Ireland that are either at or beyond their developmental capacity. As a result of this year's funding, we should be able to address 40 of those locations.”
“We are working with them to address the challenges. I can also advise that we are working with one of the housing associations — Choice Housing — to look at a pilot programme to address some of those issues. <BR /> <BR />It is an issue that we are very alive to. It is one that I have engaged with all Executive colleagues on, and we are working with the housing providers and developers on it.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He raises an important point. We have an acute shortage of social and affordable housing in Northern Ireland, and we need to work collaboratively to address that. Part of the case that I made at the Executive to secure funding was that, if we do not invest in our water and waste water infrastructure, we will not be able to build the many homes that we need. <BR /> <BR />As the Minister for Infrastructure, I have also engaged with the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations, recognising the importance of the issue, and I am keen to work with them on any possible pilots for sustainable drainage systems. I also assure the Member that Northern Ireland Water has met the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations and the chief executives of housing associations on several occasions.”
“However, Northern Ireland Water is due to roll out a new planning response template this month. The implementation of the template will help to facilitate the tracking of negative planning responses provided to the various planning authorities.”
“Northern Ireland Water is a statutory consultee in the planning process and, as such, does not make planning decisions. Local planning is the remit of local councils. Northern Ireland Water provides information and advice to the appropriate local council, and the council is obliged to take that advice into consideration. However, councils ultimately make the planning decision, which may or may not reflect the advice of the statutory consultees. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland Water does not receive notifications of the reasons for planning refusals or delays and is therefore not in a position to advise on how many planning refusals are related to sewerage infrastructure issues. Such information would be best obtained from the planning authorities based in our 11 local councils.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As I said in response to Mr Butler, part of the all-island strategic rail review is rail connectivity and the links to our international gateways. Those are our airports — Belfast International Airport, Belfast City Airport and City of Derry Airport — but also our ports. That provision for passengers is important, but it is also important, as Mrs Dodds highlighted, for growing the economy and will therefore be a key element of that work.”
“As a public transport provider, we take our safety responsibilities extremely seriously, but we remain committed to giving passengers the confidence to come back onto public transport safely. That will allow them to go about their everyday lives, but public transport is also an important part of tackling the climate crisis.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I do not have the most up-to-date figures to hand for the passengers who are travelling on our rail transport, but, from recollection, some of the most recent figures that I have seen are around the 60% mark. Of course, when we have periods of very good weather or a bank holiday weekend, we see an increase in passenger numbers. Translink has therefore put measures in to mitigate that, working with the PSNI. <BR /> <BR />Throughout the pandemic, we have put measures in place to give passengers the confidence to travel. The Member will know that we introduced the mandatory use of face coverings on our public transport. We have taken additional deep-cleaning measures and run a public awareness campaign.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. As I have demonstrated on multiple occasions, I very much value the importance of connectivity across these islands. I am also very committed to partnership working across these islands. I have met the chair of the UK connectivity review, Sir Peter Hendy, and made a written submission to that review. As part of my commitment to working across these islands, I met my ministerial counterparts in Scotland and Wales as recently as last week to discuss a range of shared challenges and opportunities in transport, making a modal shift in people's travel and tackling the climate emergency. I remain very much committed to working across these islands to improve the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland.”
“I can tell Members that work on the phase 3 feasibility study is ongoing, with a number of topographical and pilot studies under way. A report is still on schedule to be completed by November of this year. A full and robust business case will then be prepared and submitted to me that will ensure that all future spend is fully informed by it and that there is high-level assurance on costs, risk and benefit realisation.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am content to answer it. <BR /> <BR />As I have said many times in the Chamber and outside it, rail has huge untapped potential to deliver multiple benefits across our island. It is also an important component of addressing regional imbalance. That is why, as Minister, I have been very much focused on improving connectivity to the north-west. <BR /> <BR />In line with that commitment, I commissioned a feasibility study to get phase 3 of the Coleraine to Derry project back on track. As the Member highlighted, I also commissioned additional studies to explore the possibility of a half-hourly service between Belfast and Derry, as well as to provide additional rail halts at Ballykelly, Strathfoyle and the City of Derry Airport at Eglinton.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Of course, improving our rail network is about connecting communities to opportunities, and it enhances our tourist offering, but the Member makes a very important point: it is also about ensuring that we take action to encourage more people to use sustainable transport and public transport. Our rail network is an important part of that. <BR /> <BR />The procurement process for the all-island strategic rail review has begun. It is restricted to a maximum period of 12 months. As I said, it will be data-driven, and it will report back, but an important part of that process will be a public consultation exercise. I encourage the Member and others to make sure that they feed into that process.”
“Our ports and airports are also important elements of the railway line highlighted by the Member.”
“I thank the Member for his question. We always have to be mindful of fiscal constraints and the importance of fiscal responsibility. The Member may know that, since 2005, Translink has spent just over £2 million maintaining the line to allow for its current non-passenger use. While he makes a key point, the all-island rail review will allow us to consider our rail network and how we can improve it for everyone. It reflects the commitment in 'New Decade, New Approach' (NDNA), but I want to use the opportunity to examine the data and the operational and financial viability to ensure that we do what we can to enhance our rail network. There is a specific focus in the all-island strategic rail review on how we can connect our international gateways through rail.”
“It is anticipated that it will be published for consultation later this year, and I welcome all representations from the public, including those about reopening the Lisburn to Antrim railway line via Knockmore, through that process.”
“<BR /> <BR />I want to ensure that any proposals for changes to the rail network include operational and financial viability and have a very clear focus on the part that rail can play in growing our all-island economy while improving people's ability to connect and access opportunities and addressing long-standing regional imbalances. The review's purpose is to allow data to drive how to improve and expand our rail connections, allowing us to press ahead, at long last, with enhancing our rail connectivity in Northern Ireland and across the island. The reopening of old railways, including the Lisburn to Antrim railway, will be considered as part of that overall review. <BR /> <BR />My Department is also preparing the regional strategic transport network transport plan for public consultation.”
“Members will know that I am ambitious for our rail network, and I have a vision to enhance our rail connectivity to better connect our communities while delivering cleaner, greener and more sustainable transport. Alongside my counterpart in the Irish Government, Minister Eamon Ryan, I was delighted to announce the all-island strategic rail review, which will allow us to consider our network across the island and how we can improve it for everyone. The review will examine the potential for rail connections across the island, including how our existing connections could be improved and where new rail links would be best placed.”
“As I have committed to today to Members, I have asked my officials to look at providing me with options, taking the can-do approach that Mr O'Dowd highlighted, to see what more we can do. Whether that is on the regulatory side, on the fare review side or on the Act itself more widely, I am committed to trying to do more.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. That is the point that Mr Dickson highlighted. We all have to learn from the process, and, when I reflect on the learning, my view is that much greater benefit would have been derived from taking a more holistic and inclusive approach to providing support to those who are vital to the economy. There was a fracturing, but we are where we are now. I am pleased that I was able to provide financial support for taxi drivers by putting money in their pockets. <BR /> <BR />The taxi operators themselves raised an important point. Their view was that they would have highly rated giving the indirect intervention to themselves through the individual taxi drivers. We gave that support, and we provided the regulatory easement of £1 million.”
“In a wee second. <BR /> <BR />I commit to keeping the Committee updated. I will work with the Committee but also with Executive colleagues, because, as Members rightly pointed out, I am the regulator of the taxi industry, which is critical to our tourism industry and to our night-time economy. As Mr O'Dowd said, it is critical to our rural communities. As Mr Robinson said, it is critical to providing school transport. It is also critical to getting people to their health appointments. It is therefore really important that we work at all levels to try to support the industry as we emerge from the COVID pandemic. I am happy to give way to Ms Anderson.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. It is an important point. One of the regrettable things from the pandemic is the ping-pong between the Economy Minister and me that Martina Anderson mentioned. Early on, there was, regrettably, a ping-pong match between me as Minister and the Committee about establishing where the vires lay. I stated on a number of occasions that I did not have the power to bring forward financial assistance, and we had to go through the rigmarole of trying to get new, additional powers. We should learn from that. I have provided multiple briefings to the Committee, but it is clear that, going forward, the Committee wants to see the right level of support given to the industry, and I am committed to providing that.”
“A number were also able to avail themselves of part B of the COVID restrictions business support scheme (CRBSS) from the Department for the Economy. I shared with the Committee correspondence from the Economy Minister that confirmed that. My officials have met taxi operators, and we will continue to meet and work with them and their drivers to ensure that we support them as best we can through this difficult time and beyond.”
“He will know that we have received initial advice from the Departmental Solicitor's Office (DSO) on exempting wedding car operators from the current taxi regime. I have asked for further advice, because careful consideration and analysis are required on a range of issues before I am in a position to make a final decision. I will, of course, keep him updated. <BR /> <BR />On the lack of financial support for operators, when we engaged with the industry to devise the scheme, we were aware from the evidence submitted by taxi operators that a number of them were able to avail themselves of the £10,000 and £25,000 schemes. Some were also able to avail themselves of the rates and VAT deferrals and furlough.”
“On a review of the Taxis Act 2008, it is, of course, good practice to review legislation. The suspension of the Assembly and the pandemic are the reasons why we have not been able to progress that work. Prior to the pandemic, I engaged with the sector to discuss the issue. I assure Members that I have asked officials to look at that work, and I hope to be in a position to provide greater clarity on it once officials have worked through the details for me. <BR /> <BR />Stewart Dickson and other Members have raised the issue of wedding car operators on a number of occasions. I have had the opportunity to meet him and representatives of the wedding car industry. I will provide him with the update that he requested.”
“I take my responsibility as the Minister for road safety seriously, and, as Mr Muir pointed out, it will be important, if we are looking at changes in this area, that we make sure that they are thoughtfully considered, with all of the implications worked through. <BR /> <BR />Mr Beggs referred to training and continuing professional development in the industry. He identified a requirement of 35 hours of training over a year. The process actually involves 35 hours of training over five years. An important component of that is disability awareness training, which raises standards in the industry and is valued by the customer base. Again, it is about how we work through some of the issues without compromising road safety or standards.”
“There is work to be done, and that would need to be planned out. I am sympathetic on the issue, and I have asked my officials to look at it. <BR /> <BR />A number of Members raised points about barriers to entry and the taxi theory test. It is important to point out that DVA has already been proactive in introducing measures to support new entrants to the taxi industry. It has reduced the band score from 19 to 18; aligned the test pass with bus and lorry pass rates; developed practice papers and published them on nidirect; redesigned and improved training materials; English voice-over has been made available; and there is better signposting where candidates performed poorly.”
“The industry is looking for measures that will support and improve it. That is why I am keen that we continue to work with it — with taxi drivers, operators and the wedding car industry — to support it through this difficult time. <BR /> <BR />The issue of a fare review was raised. As Mr Durkan said, we need a fair fare structure: I agree. The previous review, as Mr Boylan pointed out, was carried out in 2019. It was not implemented, owing to the suspension of the Assembly, followed by the COVID pandemic, but I am sympathetic to it. Of course, public consultation will be required to gauge the views of the taxi industry and other stakeholders, including the Consumer Council as a statutory consultee. Any changes to the minimum fare would require retesting, recalibration and the resealing of meters.”
“We want to work with them, and we have reduced processing times for customers through our commercial licensing system. We are also doing what we can to redesign the portal page to make it easier for customers to navigate. The portal is an issue that Mr Boylan raised.”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank Members for drawing attention to the concerns of the sector and for providing me with an opportunity to set out my responsibilities to the sector and the actions that I have taken to support it. I have listened carefully to the views of all Members and will turn to some of the specific points that they have raised. <BR /> <BR />The decline in the number of taxi drivers has, as Mr Buckley and others pointed out, been happening over a number of years, but there is no doubt that it has been impacted on by the pandemic. In addition to some existing taxi drivers whose taxi licence expired in the period, a number of taxi drivers decided that they would not incur the cost of renewing their taxi-driver licence until the COVID restrictions had been lifted.”
“However, as Minister for road safety, it would be remiss of me to consider or introduce any measures or easements that would compromise road-user standards, the safety of the public, or remove parity between drivers entering the industry and existing drivers who have worked hard to acquire the standards that are legally required of the industry through the current framework that the Assembly approved. <BR /> <BR />I do, however, recognise the pressures that the taxi sector has been under and remain committed to working with the sector in continuing to monitor the impact of COVID restrictions on it and consider, with my Executive colleagues, how we should respond to support our drivers and all other areas of the economy as we move towards COVID recovery.”
“Regardless of our, at times, divided views on dealing with the pandemic, we have one thing in common: we are all in unfamiliar territory. It is about how we step up and deal with the challenges and find solutions to them that will be key to our recovery. <BR /> <BR />I am willing, as ever, to listen and carefully consider the concerns raised here, and I have asked my officials to continue to engage closely with the sector on issues as they emerge in order to gauge what additional practical steps we can swiftly put in place to assist those in the sector in getting back on the road to earn a living.”
“From 10 March 2021, DVA also resumed testing for taxis that qualified for the regulatory easements that I introduced, which allowed for the automatic renewal of taxi vehicle licences free of charge, including those without a prior test, for a period of 12 months. The DVA also resumed practical driving and theory tests for all categories, including taxi drivers, on 23 April 2021. <BR /> <BR />I am confident that applications for taxi-driving tests, vehicle tests and taxi-driver and operator licences are being processed in line with normal timescales. I am pleased to confirm to Members that there is no backlog. However, there is still work to do; we are not out of the woods yet. I accept that as we move into recovery from the challenges of COVID-19, unforeseen challenges will emerge.”
“That is why we tailored the second scheme to ensure that support could be provided to them and, importantly, also ensure that payments could be made retrospectively so that they were also paid for the duration of the year. <BR /> <BR />Of course, as we look to the future and turn our focus to post-COVID recovery measures, my Department has stepped up to ensure that the services that it provides are ready to support the businesses that it has responsibility for regulating. That includes the taxi sector. Vehicle testing resumed for priority vehicle groups, including first-time taxis, on 20 July 2020.”
“As Mr Durkan pointed out, through two bespoke taxi driver financial assistance schemes, my Department has provided £15·5 million in support to taxi drivers, having received new powers from the joint First Ministers under the Financial Assistance Act to do so. <BR /> <BR />We engaged with taxi drivers and the industry, and their analysis indicated that they would require £6,000 of support over two years. I was therefore pleased to have a grant scheme in place that paid out £3,000 over one year to taxi drivers. Of course, as Members have pointed out, as we worked through the schemes, it became evident that a number of taxi drivers had taken breaks in their insurance.”
“I thank the Chairperson of the Committee for Infrastructure for tabling this important debate on the challenges that are faced by the taxi sector. <BR /> <BR />The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant and long-lasting impact on many businesses. At the onset of the pandemic, in recognition of the challenges that were faced by the taxi sector, I acted swiftly to put in place a number of regulatory easements, which amounted to over £1 million of support for the sector. During the pandemic, my resources have also been focused on providing financial assistance to those in the taxi sector who needed it most but could not avail themselves of the other grant schemes or loans: that is, taxi drivers.”
“I sincerely hope that the way I approach that engagement on an east-west basis is the same approach as that adopted by other Ministers on a North/South basis.”
“Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, I would like to respond. As Minister for Infrastructure, I have been extremely proactive in my engagement on an east-west basis. I have had multiple meetings with my ministerial counterparts in Westminster, in Scotland and in Wales. Every time we have our engagement, we talk about shared challenges, shared learning and cooperation and partnership working in the interests of all our citizens. <BR /> <BR />I am growing increasingly tired of this dance with Mr Allister. The truth is that I, as the Infrastructure Minister — I cannot speak for any other Minister — take my role very seriously. I am sincere in my engagement on an east-west basis, even on the UK connectivity review, about which I have huge concerns that are shared across the Chamber. I have engaged faithfully in that process as well.”
“Again, that is why it is very important that we have that engagement on a North/South basis as well, so that we have cooperation and partnership working. We can also avail ourselves of the funding that is available through the Shared Island Fund, given that budgetary conditions here in the North are so constricted.”
“I thank the Member for her question. She will be aware, particularly in respect of the Ulster canal, of the very recent announcement by the Taoiseach of financial contributions to the advancement of that important North/South infrastructure project from the Shared Island Fund. In fact, the Irish Government have been stepping up funding for the Ulster canal in all the phases to date. <BR /> <BR />Of course, where I can, I will have discussions with my colleagues in the South to ensure that we are able to draw down funding from the Shared Island unit. The Member will be aware of another area of my portfolio around the all-island strategic rail review, for example. There are a lot of areas, particularly through greenways and blueways, where we can do so much more.”
“We will write again to local councils to encourage them to bring forward proposals, and I encourage Members, through their local councillors, to push and encourage them to bring forward proposals so that we are in a position to be able to better support them.”
“I thank the Member for his question. While it was not a specific issue discussed under the agenda items, the Member may be aware that I established the walking and cycling champion at the heart of my Department, and also, last year, I established the blue-green infrastructure fund, which I have carried on with £20 million into the new financial year. The Department has written to local councils, encouraging them to bring forward their blue-green and active travel projects that are ready for construction. I am keen that, where I can, I provide capital funding to support construction, whether it is for active travel or greenway or blueway expansion.”
“The Member did not make reference to it in his question, but ,obviously, there are the remaining plans to restore the Ulster canal from Clones to Lough Neagh. The restoration of that stretch remains a goal, and all parties have signed up to it and reiterated their commitment to it in the Stormont House Agreement, Fresh Start and New Decade, New Approach. It is a commitment that I am certainly keen to see honoured so that we can get full completion and restoration of the canal, so that we have that connectivity and it can deliver all the benefits that we know it will.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I agree with him about the benefits that will be derived from the Ulster canal project. <BR /> <BR />I can provide an update. The restoration of the Ulster canal from Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson has been completed at a total cost of £3·2 million. Waterways Ireland has already commenced work on phase 2 from Clones to Clonfad, and it is working on an update to the economic appraisal for phase 3 from Castle Saunderson to Clonfad.”
“<BR /> <BR />Of course, there is also the issue of funding. With the exception of PEACE PLUS money, which the EU has committed to continuing to allocate, EU funding will no longer be available to the North. Historically, Waterways Ireland has been the beneficiary of EU funding, and it anticipates that future EU funding opportunities to develop infrastructure and to promote the recreational use of waterways in the North may become limited or cease. While any lost funding could potentially be replaced, at least partially, by the UK Government or other EU funding streams such as PEACE PLUS, funding changes will remain for the future development of infrastructural assets.”
“The Member raises an important point. While there was no outcome from Brexit that impacted solely on Waterways Ireland, there are some outcomes that will impact the organisation going forward. EU directives no longer apply to the UK and that may lead to an incremental divergence in legislation with the passage of time. As the Member will know, the UK no longer has to comply with EU procurement directives. Following Brexit, the UK's rules on procurement are likely to remain in the short term, but they may change in the medium term. The additional procurement regime will bring added administration. Waterways Ireland has considered the implication of the need to migrate to a new tender advertising portal and platform. I want to reassure the Member that ongoing preparatory work is taking place.”
“Waterways Ireland is also working with tourism bodies on the island to showcase and to promote what we have to offer. It is engaged in a lot of positive work, whether that is repairing existing facilities or making improvements along our blueways. We should have all shoulders to the wheel in selling that and encouraging as many people as possible to visit safely.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The Albert Basin park was not discussed at the inland waterways meeting, but I have been engaging on it with local stakeholders in Newry, particularly the council. I recognise the importance of the proposals there and what they can do for our blueway offering for the community in Newry and further afield. <BR /> <BR />I agree with the Member in the sense that we can always do more to promote our natural assets. In Northern Ireland and across the island, we are blessed with wonderful natural assets that can not only bring huge benefits for mental health and well-being to those who live beside them but, as I said, will be a catalyst for change in our tourism offering. As elected Members, there is a responsibility on all of us to help to showcase that through our social media platforms.”
“In short, I very much agree with the sentiment expressed in the question posed by Mr Muir. Look at the Department of Infrastructure and the remit of Waterways Ireland: we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people who are accessing our blueways and greenways, particularly throughout COVID. In fact, local boat hire reported having 100% bookings for 2020 and seems to be on course to do exactly the same this year. There are wonderful areas of cooperation, particularly active travel, greenways and blueways, which can deliver multiple benefits, not just for people who live cheek by jowl with those but for the wider island and when we get many visitors coming to our shores once again.”