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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“On behalf of the SDLP, first and foremost, I pay tribute to the Ballymurphy families, who have been tireless in their fight for truth and justice and in the face of deliberate attempts to blacken the names of their loved ones, deliberate attempts to deny the truth and deliberate attempts to rewrite the past. The Ballymurphy inquest vindicated the Ballymurphy families and their loved ones. They were innocent — all innocent. <BR /> <BR />The inquest was clear. The murder of innocent people in Ballymurphy 50 years ago was shrouded in "basic inhumanity". Inhumanity: that is a damning indictment of the British state. It is shameful that the British establishment forced innocent people to fight for truth and justice for so long. It is shameful that the British Government today continue to fail to account publicly for the injustice.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am very aware of how important the A4 Enniskillen southern bypass will be for the many people and businesses who have expressed their support for it, and I am committed to doing all that I can to deliver the scheme. I will work with the Finance Minister and my Executive colleagues to secure the necessary funding as quickly as possible so that we can deliver the project and improve road safety, journey times, air quality and noise levels and provide active travel opportunities. We now have the potential to reshape Enniskillen town centre to create a sustainable, liveable place where people have the space to stay, meet, shop and walk and cycle safely.”
“Mr Gildernew talked about the multiple benefits to be derived from this piece of infrastructure, including enhanced journey times and road safety improvements. He also referenced the air quality improvements that will come from it. <BR /> <BR />I reiterate my appreciation to Ms Dolan for bringing the Adjournment topic to the House and to all Members for their contributions. I was pleased to make the decision to proceed with the scheme and notify all Members of it today. This is an important day for the people of Fermanagh and all those elected to represent them. It is a key step in the development of this significant scheme, which seeks, as Members have said, to reduce traffic congestion for strategic and local road users in Enniskillen town centre.”
“I am mindful that, in her constituency, there are huge gaps that we need to try to address, and I encourage her to feed into the consultation later this year on the road, rail and bus opportunities and connectivity.”
“I know that there are many opportunities for us to do that in her constituency, so I look forward to working with her and local councils. <BR /> <BR />Mrs Barton talked about the importance of having the debate today, and I know that she has campaigned long and hard, as have others, for this piece of infrastructure. I agree with her that we need to take a holistic look at the transport opportunities and at the connectivity for that part of Northern Ireland. She will be aware that, together with Minister Eamon Ryan in the South, I have announced a new all-island strategic rail review, which is the first of its kind. It will look at where we can improve existing rail networks but also at providing new opportunities for rail connectivity.”
“She spoke about the importance of meeting the needs of local people. That is what we are here to do. She also talked about the positive changes and benefits that will be delivered by enhancing Enniskillen town centre. I agree with her that that is very important for our green recovery from COVID. We should be doing what we can to improve road safety, to improve our air quality and to ensure that more of our citizens have safe choices for engaging in active travel. <BR /> <BR />She asked about the work that I intend to take forward in other constituencies, and I can assure her that, while I am finalising my budget for this financial year, I remain very much committed to doing what I can to enhance our blue-green infrastructure.”
“I reassure her and Members across the House of my commitment to the development of that greenway, and greenways right across the North, and that is why I established the new £20 million blue-green fund. Mrs Foster was my accompanying Minister at the most recent North/South Ministerial Council transport sector meeting, at which Minister Ryan and I discussed that particular greenway and committed to ensuring that we work with each other, that our officials work together and that my officials continue to work with local councils to ensure that we get the schemes progressed to delivery. I also agree on the need to ensure connectivity for our greenway network right across the island. <BR /> <BR />Mrs Kelly spoke about the importance of the project in tackling regional imbalance, and I wholeheartedly agree.”
“<BR /> <BR />I welcome the fact that Mrs Foster positively received the statement today, and I know that she is among Members across the House who have been campaigning for some time. I agree with her that this is a good day. I also agree with her that the new infrastructure will deliver economic benefits and critically important environmental benefits. I believe that the bypass but also the transformation that we can ensure takes place in Enniskillen town centre will act as a catalyst for the growth of local indigenous tourism, which is really important, not least in our recovery from COVID. <BR /> <BR />Mrs Foster also referenced the Enniskillen to Sligo greenway.”
“<BR /> <BR />I must also point out that my Department has put significant investment into the A4 over recent years in the form of resurfacing and improvement schemes. Over £2 million has been spent in the past three years. There are also plans to undertake further resurfacing work, and we are looking at the potential of providing cycleways adjacent to the A4 from Maguiresbridge to Brookeborough and from Clogher to Augher. <BR /> <BR />I will turn now to some specific points that Members raised that I have not so far addressed. As I said, I agree with the frustrations being expressed by Ms Dolan. I agree with her that it is a disgrace that people in Fermanagh have been left like this for so long. The challenge to be met is what we will do now to turn the situation around and deliver the change that those communities deserve.”
“My officials are preparing a new suite of transport plans, and the first in line for completion is the regional strategic transport network transport plan. The transport plan will set out future investment and improvement for our strategic transport networks by road, rail and bus to 2035, and it will reflect my ongoing commitment to improving connectivity for the benefit of our economy and communities right across the North. The plan will help inform my priorities for future development of the main road networks, including the A4, and I expect to publish the draft plan for consultation towards the end of this year. Views from key stakeholders and members of the public on the upgrades to the A4 key transport corridor will be most welcome.”
“Following the public consultation on the draft orders between April and May 2018, my Department decided to progress the scheme without the need for a public inquiry, because it was widely recognised that there was general support for the scheme and wide recognition of the benefits that it would deliver. <BR /> <BR />I hope that Members will appreciate that the Department must follow due process with diligence and that it takes time to progress a scheme such as this through the statutory processes. <BR /> <BR />Ms Dolan, Mrs Barton and others raised the issue of upgrades to the A4. I fully appreciate the strategic importance of the A4 and its function as a part of the south-western key transport corridor.”
“The order enables the three strands of the statutory procedures — the environmental assessment, the direction order and the vesting order — to be taken forward concurrently and to be published in the public domain at the same time.”
“It will reduce traffic congestion in Enniskillen; provide a new transport link along the A4 from the Dublin Road to the Sligo Road; facilitate a more efficient movement of traffic in and around Enniskillen; reduce noise and air pollution in the town; and provide further opportunities to improve active travel and people-centred place-shaping in the town centre for those who want to walk, wheel and cycle to work and for leisure purposes. <BR /> <BR />It would be helpful to remind the House of the statutory procedures governing major road schemes such as the Enniskillen southern bypass, which are set out in the Roads Order 1993.”
“To complement the bypass, active travel provision has also been incorporated into the design, and I asked my officials to ensure that we maximise the opportunities for active travel along the bypass route and, importantly, in Enniskillen town centre. <BR /> <BR />The scheme will provide a new transport link to the southern side of the town, improving the connection between the A4 Dublin Road and the A4 Sligo Road, and offer a number of benefits that Members have rightly identified.”
“I will continue to engage with the Finance Minister and my Executive colleagues to maximise the funding that I can secure to ensure that we can deliver this important project in the quickest possible time frame. <BR /> <BR />I acutely recognise that the scheme is significant to the town of Enniskillen and the surrounding area. Indeed, I am aware that the scheme is being considered for inclusion in the Mid South West growth deal. The proposed Enniskillen southern bypass is 2·1 kilometres in length, with additional tie-ins to the existing road network at the A4 Dublin Road and the A509 Derrylin Road by way of two new at-grade roundabouts.”
“From my engagement with businesses and the local community in Fermanagh, it is clear that the delivery of the Enniskillen southern bypass project and the need to consider upgrades to the A4 route is of huge importance to the region, as it is for me, as the Minister for Infrastructure. I am, therefore, pleased that the developmental phase of the project has been completed with my announcement today. <BR /> <BR />Ms Dolan asked questions about the time frame for the completion of the statutory orders. My officials are working at pace to ensure that all the work that is required on due diligence is completed. However, we can now proceed to enabling works, which will allow us to move to the procurement and construction phases.”
“I have made clear my commitment to tackling regional imbalance, improving the economy, job prospects and prosperity, connecting communities and improving road safety. I share the frustrations that have been expressed by Ms Dolan and others. It has taken too long. I also agree with the analysis that there has been historical underinvestment in that part of the North and that much more should have been done. This is the first time that the SDLP has held the Infrastructure portfolio, and it is committed to doing everything that it can to deliver for people who live across the North, particularly in those areas that have been left behind. <BR /> <BR />I listened with interest to Members' comments and the issues that they raised.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. First, I offer my condolences to the Lynch family at this difficult time. I thank Ms Dolan for securing the Adjournment debate on the Enniskillen bypass and the A4, and I thank all Members who were present for the debate. <BR /> <BR />As Members will be aware, today I announced my intention to proceed with the Enniskillen southern bypass scheme and to make the statutory orders. In line with advice, I made that announcement through a written ministerial statement and a subsequent press release to make sure that Members across the House were given prior notice of my decision. <BR /> <BR />Since being appointed as Minister, I have made it clear that my focus is on doing what I can to improve the lives of people in Northern Ireland.”
“I am not aware of an incident like that having taken place before, but I will ask my officials to look into it. It is important that we understand how it happened, and, if required, additional measures will be taken. I want to put on record my appreciation for DFI staff and their swift action in ensuring that things were taken down and normality was restored.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The Member is referring to an incident where a tricolour was put up on DFI property at the DVA. Action was taken very quickly by our facilities staff, and the flag was taken down.”
“I thank the Member for her question and for her steadfast commitment to the project. We are due to discuss the Narrow Water bridge at the NSMC transport sectoral meeting, which has been rescheduled for early May. That will give me an opportunity to discuss the project with my ministerial counterpart, Eamon Ryan. I gave a commitment to both councils in the area that, when I go down in the summer, I want to give a progress report. Hopefully, after we have the transport sectoral meeting and the full NSMC meeting in the summer, we will have a much clearer picture of how we will take the project forward.”
“I remain committed to working with Minister Eamon Ryan and the Taoiseach's office — I am very mindful of the Shared Island Fund — so that we can move the project forward because people have been waiting a very long time to see it realised.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The Narrow Water bridge project is of huge importance for boosting the local economy. It will also greatly enhance the tourism offering in the region. It is a commitment in New Decade, New Approach, and I recently met both councils in the area to hear their views and to reassure them of my commitment to the project. Work is ongoing on options, and I have given a commitment to visit both councils again to give them a progress report in the summer. <BR /> <BR />It is very important that we continue to work to advance the project, and it is particularly pertinent in the context of Brexit.”
“Officials are working through options for the routes, but I assure the Member that we will go out to consult on the options for north Belfast and for south Belfast. I encourage businesses, residents and elected representatives in north Belfast and south Belfast to feed into that consultation so that we can arrive at the best outcome for the preferred route.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Again, it is about providing attractive, inclusive and accessible public transport options. That is important, particularly given the climate emergency, and the Belfast rapid transit (BRT) 2 scheme is an important element of that. DFI teams, along with the consultants Atkins are actively continuing to work remotely on the development of the project, which is also a Belfast region city deal infrastructure project. A feasibility and options appraisal is being developed, and I hope to be in a position to consider its outcome shortly. An interim outline business case for the BRT 2 project was forwarded to the Belfast region city deal executive board on 12 August.”
“That is an issue in communities that are experiencing this. As I said, my officials work with developers to try to achieve the completion of developments, but, where required, the Department will not shy away from taking enforcement and legal action, given the importance of the issue to communities right across Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Member for his question. My Department holds information on roads in private developments that are determined for adoption, and we manage the adoption of the road infrastructure through the private streets determination process. Unadopted private street sites are at various stages of progress, ranging from sites that have recently been granted planning permission to those that are largely complete. There are approximately 67 unadopted streets in the old Strabane Council area, and my officials continue to inspect those sites and engage with developers to encourage them to bring the infrastructure up to the required standard for adoption.”
“The Northern Ireland protocol is a legally binding obligation, and all Ministers are required to fulfil their legal responsibilities. The SDLP has put forward a proposal to take a twin-track approach to the issues around the protocol, and it is that we work together to find pragmatic solutions to the difficulties that have emerged but that, at the same time, we work to maximise the opportunities that are there for our economy and communities, given the uniqueness of the situation in which Northern Ireland finds itself. Of course, I will continue, as Minister, to fulfil all my legal obligations in that regard, and I am very much committed to working with all Executive colleagues to ensure that we get the best possible outcomes for the people of Northern Ireland.”
“I have no doubt that Members will have real concerns about what has emerged in recent days. One of the key questions that many people have is this: on whose behalf is the chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council acting? Is it the council members or a consortium of DUP MPs?”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I have some very serious concerns about what appears to have happened in this instance. As the Deputy Speaker said, I am also aware that the matter is subject to an inquiry by the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.”
“I assure the Member that my Department proactively engages in a range of multi-agency meetings across Northern Ireland. My officials work and live in their communities, care deeply for them and are considerably proactive in addressing the multifaceted problems that are visited on many of our communities across the North. As my Department has always done, it will continue to engage proactively. It will certainly engage in the multi-agency meetings to which the Member referred.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He highlighted a number of difficulties and problems that fall across a number of statutory agencies: my Department and DAERA, given that there is fly-tipping; the PSNI, given that there is drug taking; and the council. In fact, the Lord Mayor of Belfast wrote to my Department about that matter and my officials are engaging with him. I am happy to get an update on the latest position and provide that to the Member.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am keen to reach a resolution to that long-standing application for all involved. If a sound decision is to be reached, it is important that the planning process is completed properly. The necessary administrative processes are being undertaken, including requesting consultation advice from the necessary interested bodies and public authorities. Once all the processes have been undertaken, I assure the Member that my officials will make a recommendation to me.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The question of the need for the facility is a matter for the applicant and DAERA. Given the passage of time and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department asked DAERA for an update on a statement of need in the context of the proposed development and the strategic and long-term needs for waste management and its circular economy in the North. A response is awaited from DAERA. However, the need for the facility is a key material planning matter for my planning officers to consider when making a recommendation to me on the application.”
“This application has attracted huge interest. In excess of 5,200 letters of objection and around 160 letters of support are associated with it. The Member will appreciate that, within planning, there are proper processes to be followed. That is what is occurring in this case, as in all cases. As soon as my officials are in a position to be able make a recommendation to me, I will ensure that they do so.”
“I confirm to the Member that I received a letter from the office of Sammy Wilson MP on 11 February of this year. The letter, which was endorsed by the eight DUP Members of Parliament, outlined strong support for the delivery of planning approval for the proposal and asked that I make a quick determination on the application. I received further communication from Paul Girvan MP on 1 April to clarify that this letter did not represent his views on the proposal and that his view remains that my Department must decide on this application to bring the matter to a conclusion. He asked that the Department update its record to ensure that this view on the application is properly reflected.”
“I thank the Member for his question. My decision on 13 October to recommend planning approval for the new stadium at Casement Park followed a comprehensive assessment of the planning application by my officials, including extensive consultation with the relevant statutory consultees and the public. As Minister, I took all issues into consideration and all of the different views that were represented. I appreciate that this is not the decision that some residents wanted, but I have previously explained the reasons why I arrived at that conclusion. In doing that, I did not have any meetings with residents. However, as I said, I have closely examined and very carefully considered the representations on this planning application.”
“I agree with the Member that this will be an economic driver for the local economy in west Belfast and greater Belfast. It will also give a real boost to sport and all the benefits that come with that. I assure the Member that my officials are working at pace to progress this. It is, of course, right that we progress it at pace, but we must do so properly. My officials and I are committed to ensuring that all of the statutory processes are correctly completed in the quickest possible time frame.”
“Since my announcement in October recommending planning approval for the redevelopment of Casement Park, my officials continue to make considerable progress towards issuing the final planning decision. Departmental officials have been working at pace to progress the required planning agreement, which must be in place before the final planning decision can be issued. The Departmental Solicitor's Office (DSO) and the GAA's legal team remain in regular contact about the details of the planning agreement, and both parties are keen to reach an agreement as soon as possible. I look forward to the final planning decision being issued for the project, as I am of the view that the project will give a real boost to sport across our island and to the local economy and will, finally, give the GAA its home in Ulster.”
“Recently, I was pleased to meet the Member and others at the all-party group on cycling to share some of the progress that my Department has made in that area. I very much appreciate the support from across the House in trying to progress that agenda.”
“I absolutely agree with the Member on that. I can see the conversion that is happening with Mr Beggs, which is great to see. In all seriousness, I say that park-and-rides are really important, which is why, as part of my blue-green fund, we are advancing a number of park-and-rides across Northern Ireland. The Member is right that it is about improving and strengthening our public transport network but that we have to encourage people to make that shift out of their private car into active travel and public transport. In order to do that, you have to give people choice. We need to make sure that we have safe active travel infrastructure for people and an inclusive, accessible and attractive public transport network.”
“We recognise the important role that transport corridors play in growing the economy and tackling the climate emergency.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The regional strategic transport network plan, which I will be consulting on later in the year, is about looking at our road, bus and rail network up to 2035. That will provide an important opportunity for all of us to feed in to and shape that process. I am committed to working with all of my Executive colleagues as we try to deliver on our Programme for Government commitments. The Member is right to talk about the importance of transport corridors for economic growth and business links, and that is why I am very pleased that one of the strands of the all-island strategic rail review will be to look at rail connectivity to our international gateways, which are our ports and airports.”
“I share the Member's analysis of that. We have had previous exchanges on transport as a key driver of regeneration in communities. Of course, when you want to expand rail, there is the reality of budgetary constraints as well. The wonderful thing about the all-island strategic rail review is that, yes, it is looking at enhancements to the existing rail network, but it is also looking at opportunities to expand and to see rail as the regeneration catalyst that it is. I am hopeful that, by bringing all those strands of work together, we can see better rail connectivity for communities right across the island.”
“I encourage the Member, when he is responding to the consultation, to reflect his views so that we can consider them as we shape our rail services in particular.”
“Since coming into office, I have been clear that my priority is addressing regional imbalance, better connecting communities and, importantly, ensuring that we shape our places around our people, for our people and with our people. On Wednesday 7 April, along with the Transport Minister, Eamon Ryan TD, I was delighted to announce an all-island strategic rail review that will allow us to consider our rail network across this island and how we can improve it for everyone. Officials are working together to progress the review, and, in addition, my intention is to put the strategic transport plan out for public consultation later this year. <BR /> <BR />I recognise the potential that additional halts on our rail network could provide for areas such as Craigavon.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It is an issue that he has raised with me on a number of occasions. As previously stated, my officials are developing a new suite of transport plans, and the regional strategic transport network transport plan, which is known as the RSTNTP, is the first in line for completion. That plan will set out future investment and improvement for our strategic transport networks by road, rail and bus and will reflect my commitment to improve connectivity for the benefit of our economy and communities across the North. <BR /> <BR />Travel by rail is something that I feel very passionately about, and I am ambitious about what we can do to deliver better rail connectivity.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He is right to make the point about the capital budget. We can do a lot with that budget in this financial year, but, of course, it requires an accompanying resource budget. The resource budget allocation is a real-time cut when you consider inflation. The truth is that it will be challenging, but I assure the Member that the matter is very much on my radar. I have been meeting my permanent secretary and senior officials in order to ensure that we have measures in place to allow us maximise our capacity and to deliver on schemes right across Northern Ireland, given the capital investment that we have at our disposal this financial year.”
“That is why I met my permanent secretary after the ruling, and I am now considering the next steps.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The Court of Appeal finding that the Member referred to relates to a procurement competition that was run in 2015. The court found that there was a manifest error in the Department's approach to the awarding of multiple term-type contracts across Northern Ireland. I am advised that the procurement process for those contracts has been amended significantly since 2015. In 2018, the Roads centre of procurement expertise (COPE) was reaccredited through a rigorous external assessment examination. However, as the Member says, the ruling is a cause of concern; it certainly is for me. As the Minister now in post, I obviously want to understand what happened, how it happened and what steps have been taken to ensure that it can never occur again.”