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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“Mr Deputy Speaker, I take great exception to the use of such language by the Member. As I set out very clearly in my response to Mr Frew, the Department has taken a number of measures. What is really important to point out is the fact that, since 2016, there have been no injury collisions recorded at that junction. My Department will continue to do what it can to improve road safety. As I said in my initial response, I have asked my officials to keep that particular junction and stretch of road under review.”
“The Member is right that a proposal to prohibit right turns out of the junction was given consideration, but it received a number of objections. A further review of the proposal by the Department and PSNI has identified other potential safety issues, and, as such, it has been decided, on balance, that it should not be progressed.”
“Following the road traffic collisions and tragic fatalities in 2015 and 2016, my Department carried out a detailed safety review of the A26 Lisnevenagh Road, including the junctions between Dunsilly and Ballee roundabouts. As a result of the review, a number of safety measures have already been implemented along the route. Measures implemented at the Woodgreen junction include the application of a high-friction surface on the approach to the A26, enhancements to signage and lines and an upgrade to the street lighting. I am pleased to advise that, since 2016, there have been no injury collisions recorded at the Woodgreen junction, and there are therefore no plans to carry out any further work there at this time. I have, however, asked officials to keep the situation under review.”
“I thank the Chair for his comments. <BR /> <BR />As I said, it is a relatively short Bill but important nonetheless. It will ensure consistency between the North and other jurisdictions when interpreting motor insurance requirements in law; aid continuing alignment between compulsory motor insurance law and the role of the Motor Insurers' Bureau in the provision of compensation to victims of uninsured and untraced drivers, a role that the Motor Insurers' Bureau provides under agreement with government; and, most importantly, help to protect our citizens against increased motor insurance premiums at a time when they are already struggling with rising food, fuel and energy bills. On that basis, I commend the Bill to the House.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to close the Final Stage of the Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Bill. I am grateful for all the contributions and support given to the Bill. Without that support, it would not have been possible to bring the Bill through to the Final Stage within the time frame.”
“Ultimately, it will also protect our citizens from increased insurance premiums, thereby removing any unnecessary burden on drivers, particularly at a time when more and more people are experiencing financial hardship with soaring household bills. On that note, I commend the Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Bill to the House.”
“<BR /> <BR />While it is appropriate that the Bill restores the status quo, that does not mean that compulsory motor insurance cover cannot be amended or extended at some stage in future, should that be deemed necessary. The Bill prevents change being forced on us and gives us space, should we need it, to take any future policy decisions in a considered and controlled fashion. <BR /> <BR />If passed today, the Bill will ensure that, as far as possible, motor insurance law is consistent with that in Britain. That is important if we are to provide clarity in the marketplace, remove the risk to the MIB as the fund of last resort for uninsured drivers and avoid any potential legal challenge.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill is short. Its purpose is clear. It will ensure that domestic statutory provision on compulsory motor insurance, as contained in the 1981 Road Traffic Order, remains effective. It does that by ensuring that the requirements of the motor insurance directive and any retained EU case law are not taken into account when interpreting the compulsory motor insurance requirement in Northern Ireland. Effectively, the Bill simply restores and maintains the domestic status quo in motor insurance law. The compulsory insurance requirement will remain confined to the use of motor vehicles on roads and other public places. That will provide legal clarity and remove any risk of any challenge in the courts.”
“Their consideration of the complex and challenging issues raised by the Vnuk judgement, together with their support, has been invaluable. <BR /> <BR />It is also important that I recognise the considerable effort required behind the scenes to bring the Bill to the Assembly in the limited time available. The fact that we knew only on 21 December that a legislative consent motion was no longer a viable option and that a Bill was therefore the only viable route to early legislative change resulted in a complete change of direction. The expertise of the staff in the Office of the Legislative Counsel (OLC) and the Departmental Solicitor's Office (DSO) was instrumental in enabling the Bill to be brought to the Assembly in such a short time frame, especially given the complexities of the drafting and their considerable workload.”
“I have already placed on record my preference to legislate with full Committee procedure, enabling clause-by-clause scrutiny. Therefore, I regret that it has been necessary to advance the Bill in this manner. I am, nevertheless, grateful for the Infrastructure Committee's work and support in bringing the Bill before the House today. The Committee made time in its demanding work programme to research the background, to take advice from stakeholders in evidence, to debate the issues and, generally, to give the Bill as much scrutiny as possible within the time frame. I am grateful for the Committee's efforts and cooperation. <BR /> <BR />I also thank the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and all the stakeholders who engaged with the Department and the Committee on the Bill.”
“I will be brief, as I am all too aware of the pressure on the Assembly to progress its legislative programme. <BR /> <BR />The Bill was introduced to the House on 7 February — only four weeks ago — and the accelerated passage and Second Stage debates followed on 15 February. I am grateful to Members for their contributions to those debates. I also thank all my Assembly colleagues for agreeing that the Bill could proceed by accelerated passage. Without that, it would not have been possible for the Bill to have completed all its Assembly stages in February and March. <BR /> <BR />I will take a few moments to thank, in particular, the Chair and members of the Infrastructure Committee. Accelerated passage necessarily excludes Committee Stage from a Bill's passage, and I fully recognise that that is a significant exclusion.”
“I am keen to publish the report as soon as possible. It is also important, though, that we have engagement with local stakeholders and the local community. That work is ongoing. As soon as that is complete, I will move to publish the report and clearly identify the next steps for this hugely strategic and important project.”
“As soon as that engagement is complete, I will, hopefully, be in a position to publish a report, and we can then move quickly to the next steps.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The Member will know that I have conducted an independent assurance test review to ensure that the York Street interchange is fit for purpose and sits with Executive strategies and 'A Bolder Vision for Belfast'. We must make sure that it takes cognisance of the climate emergency. I am also clear that, as well as working for those who will use it, the scheme needs to work for the people who live in and around it. <BR /> <BR />Consultants were engaged to look at place shaping and how we can improve that. They have provided a report, and we are engaging with local stakeholders to get their views. I very much want the work to be done in partnership. Recently, I was able to present some of the initial findings to the Healthy North Belfast meeting.”
“We are giving careful consideration to all the responses to that consultation exercise. The Member is right: that target was highlighted in the consultation response. Varied views were provided , so we are giving careful consideration to it. I assure the Member that I want to make sure that the strategy has ambitious targets that we can work to deliver. Our careful consideration of that is ongoing.”
“My officials have been working hard on that and have issued a consultation exercise. The challenge is that the road safety strategy could be considered to be cross-cutting. In the absence of the Executive being able to meet and agree, there could be a delay in that important work. That serves nobody's interests. I assure the Member that I will continue to take action to improve road safety, be it the 20 mph zones outside schools, penalties for the use of mobile phones while driving or the changes to drink-driving legislation. I will continue to do that, but it is deeply regrettable that, without an Executive, we may not be able to produce and complete a road safety strategy.”
“I met industry representatives, and I gave careful consideration to their requests for change. I sought legal advice on that as well. As I said, I have also received multiple requests for changes to the Taxis Act. The best and most comprehensive way of dealing with that is a thorough and robust review of the Taxis Act. That is why I said that, whoever the Minister may be, whether it is me or any other Member of the House, it is important work that should be taken forward in the new mandate.”
“The Member will know that the Taxis Act 2008 was introduced and agreed by the Assembly. Since becoming Minister, I have received requests from people in the wedding car industry and the funeral industry, as well as taxi drivers and taxi operators. It is clear that there should be a comprehensive review of the Taxis Act to give consideration to all those requests for changes. <BR /> <BR />With fewer than 80 days remaining in the mandate, it is not possible to take forward that comprehensive work as it will involve extensive public consultation and may require changes in legislation. I have been clear that it needs to be taken forward in the new mandate. It is long overdue.”
“I took the decision to freeze the fares across our public transport network because the truth is that families are really struggling to make ends meet. People face higher food bills and higher energy bills. They struggle to heat and light their homes. I was determined that public transport would not add to that financial burden and the spiralling cost of living. I hope that the decision goes some way to ease pressures on families because there is a responsibility on all of us to do what we can in that area. <BR /> <BR />I am also hopeful that it will have the additional benefit of attracting more people on to public transport because I am mindful of the increase in petrol and diesel prices. More people choosing to use public transport is not only good for improving our air quality but good for our environment and for people's pockets.”
“The Member will be aware that we have published the report on the call for evidence for a move to two-year testing for certain categories of vehicle. There was significant majority support among the public for a move to biennial testing, so I have asked my officials to engage with all the key stakeholders to explore the steps that are needed to make progress on the matter. It would require a change in primary legislation. That could be taken forward in the next mandate.”
“The additional examiners who are being recruited will be allocated on the basis of need and demand for the service. I reassure the Member of that.”
“I will address the first issue. In just over nine months since driving tests resumed, from April 2021 to 31 January 2022, the DVA conducted 52,805 driving tests. That is more than 91% of the number of tests conducted in 2018-19, which was the last full year when driving tests were not affected by COVID-19 restrictions. We have been able to achieve that record high level of driving tests because of the additional resources and capacity that we are putting in place. <BR /> <BR />I have forgotten the Member's second question, so maybe he could quickly remind me.”
“The Department and the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) have examined that issue. The reason for the current location of theory test centres is to ensure that they are within a set distance no matter where you live in the North. The second consideration is to balance the need for the provision of extra centres and the additional costs that would be incurred by people who want to sit their theory tests. I am mindful that, at this time, people are struggling to make ends meet, be that because of food bills, energy bills or fuel bills, so I am conscious of taking any decision that would put a further financial burden on them, particularly on young people, who are the cohort whom we find are going forward for their theory tests in the largest number.”
“The Department's response is that we have to adopt a consistent and fair approach across Northern Ireland. I am sure that the Member has been engaging closely with my officials over quite some time. If she wants to write to me specifically, I am happy to take a look at it. In order to manage expectations, however, I caveat that by saying that there are set criteria that we must apply fairly, consistently and objectively across Northern Ireland.”
“The Member highlights the challenges that are presented by unadopted roads. A study that was done several years ago identified that, at prices as they were then, it would require £300 million to bring streets up to adopted standards. The Member will also know of the financial challenges that face the Department and wider Executive. <BR /> <BR />In principle, areas can be brought up to adoptable standard. The Member has written to me on that previously. She will be aware of the criteria that are involved with regard to frontage and levels of support for that. Where we can, we try to bring things up to adoptable standard. However, the issue of unadopted roads and how that has built up over many years is certainly a challenge, not least for people who live in areas where they have to live with that difficulty.”
“A lot of that is contained in the Living with Water programme. A number of the flood alleviation schemes that we are working on are also trying to address that issue. The Member may know that, through my blue-green infrastructure fund, we are funding a number of pilot projects to find natural drainage solutions. I am mindful of the scheme at Belfast Castle, for example, where ponds have been created to capture the running water that comes down off Cavehill and to stop it flowing on and overwhelming the sewers, and the consequences that flow from that. We are trying to come at this from the perspective of waste water, Living with Water in terms of natural drainage and the capacity to use the environment for that, and the blue-green fund.”
“I recognise the concerns locally but must emphasise that it is a critical piece of flood alleviation infrastructure to protect 1,500 homes and businesses.”
“Yes. The Belfast tidal flood alleviation scheme is a £17 million project to protect 1,500 homes and businesses in the area from the devastation of flooding. It is a critical piece of infrastructure. I fully understand the concerns that have been expressed locally about the removal of trees. I want to reassure the Member that only trees and shrubs whose removal is essential for the construction of this critical piece of infrastructure are being removed. We gave serious consideration to a potential different route, but this is the route for works that reduces the impact on the local environment. <BR /> <BR />We also engaged an independent tree expert, who examined this issue on both occasions, and we have given a commitment to replant the trees and shrubs that have to be removed at a ratio of 4:1.”
“<BR /> <BR />The proposals were presented to the drainage council in 2017 and, unfortunately, no viable flood alleviation scheme was identified. I recognise that that is frustrating and disappointing for residents. I have asked my officials to make sure that they do all that they can to reduce the potential for and impacts of flooding in the area. Officials will consider what further support can be provided to the local community, and I am happy for the Member to be kept updated on that.”
“It is an important issue that affects residents, so it is right that I address it. <BR /> <BR />The Member knows that flooding in the Boho area of County Fermanagh usually occurs when water levels in the Sillees river rise after prolonged and heavy rainfall. In the past, my officials considered a flood alleviation scheme for that area that would involve diverting and improving the gradient of this flat, slow-flowing river. Unfortunately, the economic and environmental costs of that proposal far outweigh any benefits that would be gained through flood alleviation. The cost of any project to alleviate flooding would involve major works costing several million pounds, which would far exceed the benefits.”
“Assuming that the budget is available, the timeline is that construction could start in spring 2024, with final completion scheduled for 2026-27.”
“As I said to Mr Newton, I was advised by Northern Ireland Water that the design of the Sydenham waste water pumping station was delayed due to the need to complete the ongoing catchment modelling. The issues in that area of East Belfast cannot be resolved simply by building bigger pipes and a bigger pumping station; we need to manage the flow of water in the area more sustainably and naturally by trying to stop clean water getting into the sewage network. That is why we have to take forward the work from the Living with Water programme to develop blue-green solutions alongside hard-engineered infrastructure. As I confirmed, the project is included in Northern Ireland Water's Living with Water programme budget requirement and is part of the PC21 business plan, with a current estimated cost of £28 million.”
“I am happy for the Member to write to me and set out the details and to see what we can do in support of the residents. However, we must be mindful that insurance for homes falls outside the responsibility of my Department. There is a Flood Re scheme, which I am sure the Member is aware of and which his constituents can avail themselves of. I assure him that, as I outlined in the previous response, work is ongoing. <BR /> <BR />I accept that there have been delays to the construction of the Sydenham waste water pumping station, but it is part of the PC21 business plan. I know that it is an important project for which the Member has advocated for some time. Assuming that the budget is available, timelines indicate that construction is planned to start in spring 2024, with final completion scheduled for 2026-27.”
“<BR /> <BR />As part of that, my Department, along with Northern Ireland Water, is progressing a suite of modelling studies to fully understand flood risk in East Belfast. That includes models that will identify current and future sewage and wastewater capacity issues. These sewer models will also be integrated with models for the Connswater, Knock and Loop rivers to provide an improved understanding of the flood risk between all drainage systems and support the development of solutions that can address flood risk from multiple sources.”
“In December 2021, I published the 'Northern Ireland Flood Risk Management Plan 2021-2027', which identifies 12 areas of potential significant flood risk throughout the North. Belfast is the largest of these areas, both in geographical extent and the potential value of economic damage that could be caused by flooding. <BR /> <BR />My Department has already been involved in taking forward measures to address flooding in East Belfast. Those include the Connswater Community Greenway flood alleviation scheme, which provides flood protection for approximately 1,300 properties, and the Glenbrook flood alleviation scheme, which is nearing completion. In addition, specific areas of flood risk in the east Belfast area have also been identified in my Department’s 'Living With Water in Belfast Plan', which I published in November 2021.”
“I remind the Member, as I have done in correspondence with him, that this year saw the highest ever capital spend by my Department, compared to any other Department, up to this point. Therefore, we started from a position where we were spending record sums of money. <BR /> <BR />The Member also knows that, throughout the year, I made a number of bids which were, unfortunately, unsuccessful. However, we find ourselves close to the end of the financial year, and my Department has to operate within the guidelines set out in 'Managing Public Money NI', so we need to make sure we can get the money spent. We will always make efforts to ensure that we maximise capital spend because we recognise the importance of the critical services that we provide to communities.”
“Members know that I came to the House to say that I was concerned about the Northstone judgement and, as a result, have initiated an independent investigation. Sarah Hannaford QC is conducting that investigation. I expect to receive a report in the coming weeks, and I have committed to coming to the Assembly to provide Members with an update. That will take place before the end of the current mandate.”
“I reassure the Member that we continue to have close engagement with the construction industry because it is vital in making sure that we see that delivery on the ground.”
“I reassure the Member that the interim procurement strategy was developed with the engagement of the construction sector; in fact, the construction sector asked for an extension so that it could provide all the information that was required to tender for the contract.”
“I recognise that that is an issue, which is why I have increased funding to the rural roads initiative by 50%. Some £17 million is in that fund, which is the highest allocation for a specific rural roads initiative to date. On safety, I reassure you that routine safety inspections and subsequent safety-related repairs are still being completed across the network. They are not impacted on by the legal challenge. I reassure you that officials have been working at pace to develop interim procurement strategies so that we can get the resurfacing works on the ground at the earliest opportunity.”
“The third and fourth phases are scheduled to begin procurement this summer. <BR /> <BR />A £1·3 million contract to resurface part of the Skeoge Road in Derry was recently awarded, and the award of the contract to resurface part of the A29 dual carriageway at Cookstown is expected shortly. One-off resurfacing contracts for the Coleraine Ring Road and the Castledawson area are out to tender, and a number of others are in the pipeline for implementation in the coming months.”
“Following the legal challenge to the asphalt resurfacing contracts competition, my Department has been working at pace to implement a new interim-term contract strategy to ensure that much-needed resurfacing work is carried out in the areas affected by delays. The new strategy consists of four phases with six new term contracts in each. <BR /> <BR />Procurement of the first phase is well progressed. That phase includes contracts for Newry and Mourne, Down, Strabane, Magherafelt, Dungannon and Omagh. Tenders are being assessed, with the award of contracts anticipated in the coming weeks. Work on the second phase, which includes contracts for Cookstown, Derry, north Belfast, Ballymena, Armagh and Larne and Carrickfergus, is under way, with contracts expected to be awarded in May.”
“The Member will recall that that work was initiated by my establishment of a ministerial advisory panel to examine the role of and advantages that would be delivered by an infrastructure commission in Northern Ireland. There was overwhelming support for that among the business and environmental sectors. The optimum approach is to have an infrastructure commission that is able to advise the Executive on infrastructure in its widest sense. Of course, if that does not prove possible, I will have to consider the option of an infrastructure commission that just falls within the remit of my Department. That would be a suboptimal outcome.”
“Another recommendation looks at penalties for late consultee responses. We continue to strive for improvement. I recognise the need to do that, and, while I am the Minister, I will continue to press for that agenda, but, along with a fit-for-purpose planning system, investors need certainty. Being without a Government at such a turbulent time does not create a context of confidence for investors, and that is deeply regrettable”
“The Member has asked a question that is very similar to the supplementary question that he asked on question 1. I have made no secret of the fact that the planning system needs to have significant improvements made to it. I have not shied away from saying that. We have brought forward the cross-departmental working group, which is looking at consultee response times. Moreover, we have published the findings of the review of the 2011 Act, which has 16 recommendations. One is on validation checks, which is something for which the business community has been asking.”
“That piece of work is being progressed by the Executive Office. An interdepartmental working group has been established, and its job is to assess options for how an infrastructure commission might be structured, funded and governed and to determine the best approach to ensure that it achieves its objectives and delivers value for money. The group will consider the options and then bring forward advice on the matter. I had really hoped that we would have had an Executive that could meet to consider the options and take an agreed position so that we could move from assessing the role of an infrastructure commission to delivering it and setting it up.”
“The absence of a functioning Executive will undoubtedly slow, or even halt, progress, and that is an unacceptable position to be in, given the importance of the work and what it will deliver for Northern Ireland. I reaffirm my desire to support the TEO group, however, and I really do hope that tangible progress can be made. I know that Members in the Chamber and businesses and other organisations across the North want to see the work progress. We can see the benefits that infrastructure delivers across these islands and across the world, and we should want nothing less for our economy and for our community and our environment.”
“I was pleased to see my proposal for the establishment of an infrastructure commission here included as a key action in the Executive's COVID-19 recovery plan. An infrastructure commission would deliver a step change in how we plan and deliver infrastructure here, by providing a long-term shared vision and agreed approach to infrastructure planning and delivery and an informed basis on which future infrastructure needs can be identified. A cross-departmental group, led by TEO, has been established to progress the matter, and it has held several meetings to date. I continue to offer my support and that of my officials to the group and hope that rapid progress can be made to deliver on that key commitment, given that it is, I believe, the game changer that our economy, environment and community need.”
“I absolutely refute the suggestion that I play constituency politics with issues that fall within my role as Minister. As the Member rightly identifies, the York Street interchange has been subject to legal challenge. We also had a three-year hiatus, during which no Minister was in place. When I took up the post, I was very clear straightaway that I recognised the project's strategic importance but that we absolutely needed to make sure that we got it right. We need to get it right for all those who will use it and for the community that lives in and around it. That is why I carried out an independent assessment. That report is complete, and we are engaging with all our key stakeholders so that I am in a position to be able to announce next steps.”
“That will include the consideration of recommendations that emerge from the work of the planning engagement partnership that my Department is undertaking, given the importance of having communities involved and at the heart of planning decisions.”