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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“I want to place on record my thanks to the Chair and members of the Committee for Infrastructure and to my Assembly colleagues for their cooperation and agreement to the Bill proceeding by way of the accelerated passage process. Without that cooperation, it would not have been possible for the Bill to have reached all its Assembly stages within this mandate. That Members were content with the purpose of the Bill was further indicated by the fact that there were no amendments tabled at Consideration Stage, on 14 December, or at Further Consideration Stage, on 19 January. I am happy to respond to any comments that Members wish to make during the debate.”
“I do not intend to address the content of the Bill to any great extent. This is a straightforward, three-clause Bill with the single purpose of raising the existing total loan and grant limit from £35 million to £90 million. This will enable the Department to continue to provide loans and grants to our ports. The existing limit has almost been reached, and major challenges are being faced by the ports at this time, particularly as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and the need to grow business post Brexit. <BR /> <BR />The Bill was introduced to the House on 23 November 2020, and accelerated passage and Second Stage debates took place on 1 December. I am grateful to the Members of the Assembly for their contributions to the debate.”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Northern Ireland Assembly has declined again to give consent to Brexit and to the Tory Government's inferior trade deal. Will you now write to the Commons' Speaker and the Prime Minister to convey immediately the view of the Assembly?”
“As a party, the SDLP has a strong history of bringing our people and communities together, and we in the SDLP will keep on working, keep on talking and keep on doing proper, mature politics to reconcile our people, to free them from poverty, prejudice and injustice and put them back at the heart of the European project.”
“<BR /> <BR />One beacon of light this week, however, in the wake of the Brexit trade deal, was the clarification from the Irish Government that they will continue to facilitate third-level students here to access the ERASMUS programme no matter the colour of their passport. I want to say that the SDLP welcomes the efforts of the Irish Government, in particular their work to protect our island from a hard border. While this deal is less that we deserve, we do recognise the effort that has been made for people across Ireland. <BR /> <BR />We have to live with this trade deal because we have no choice, but there should be no celebration in this moment for either side.”
“The EU has also helped to promote better relations between North and South as people discover their common interests. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP had always argued against the erection of new borders or new barriers anywhere across these islands. That is why we, uniquely among parties in Northern Ireland, registered to campaign against Brexit. It is why we proposed remaining in the European single market and the customs union. We have proposed solutions that will mitigate the damage caused by withdrawal from the EU because we understand the economic impact of new trade friction points, but we also understand the psychological impact of new land or sea borders on people and communities. The sad truth, a constant in our political history, is that all of this was entirely avoidable.”
“This Assembly should not accept the imposition of an inferior Bill or deal that leaves Northern Ireland worse off and our people with a future less than they deserve. <BR /> <BR />I understand that Scotland and Wales are to reject this deal. They are to reject the future that Boris Johnson and his cronies in Number 10 want. We should also make clear our rejection of a narrow, isolated future, not on our own behalf but on behalf of those who we represent. <BR /> <BR />The European Union, as an ideal, is about bringing people together. On one level, it is as simple as that. This year, in the SDLP, we lost our spiritual and political leader, John Hume. John believed that our membership of the European Union was a key factor in bringing about peace to this island we share. He said:”
“While we recognise and have long called for the full implementation of the protocol, the Northern Ireland protocol remains as it is. <BR /> <BR />While the SDLP recognises that there aspects of the deal that are helpful and welcome, many provisions are limited and many of the challenges that Brexit has threatened for years will now impact on our society and economy. This Assembly must recognise the magnitude of this moment, the seriousness of the context in which we will now be forced to live. The days and weeks ahead will present new challenges, and we all must rise to them for our citizens because we all know the hard, cold truth that London simply is not interested in our interests. A deal will always be better than no deal, but the SDLP never, ever said that any deal will be acceptable.”
“<BR /> <BR />Professor David Phinnemore of Queen's University Belfast points to the thinness of the agreement in areas such as services, on which our economy relies. He summed up the challenge clearly when he remarked:”
“For three years, we were denied an Assembly and a Government, but, today, we have an Assembly and an Executive, and we must make our voice heard. We must allow the voice of our citizens to be heard to oppose a British-imposed Brexit on the lives of people across Northern Ireland. The SDLP is asking this Assembly to reaffirm our rejection of Brexit and to decline legislative consent to the British Government to impose the European Union (Future Relationship) Bill, which will bring new barriers to trade and negative consequences for our society and our economy. This inferior trade Bill does not protect the interests of our economy or our people in the way that Northern Ireland deserves.”
“That means that our constituents and the businesses that employ our people and offer a route to post-COVID recovery will lose out. Those are the outworkings of the DUP's position on Brexit. That is the reality of its Brexit in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The DUP will today, in Westminster, vote against the EU-UK trade deal: what an irony. It also now, via our amendment, has the opportunity to withhold consent in this House — all parties do. Today, the SDLP is moving its amendment because, just as Scotland and Wales have had their say on whether the trade deal is acceptable to their people, so should our Assembly.”
“The truth, regardless of the deflection tactics, is that this is a self-inflicted wound. Brexit, the Northern Ireland protocol, the trade deal, the sea border — all of it belongs to the DUP, lock stock and barrel. It tries to deny it and pass responsibility on to others, but the people of Northern Ireland are not stupid. The businesses of Northern Ireland are not stupid. The trade unions, civic society, the third sector and all who stand to lose out are not stupid. It would be good if the DUP would stop acting as if we were stupid. <BR /> <BR />As an example, Invest NI will lose out on approximately £90 million a year as a direct consequence of Brexit. Invest NI, whose job it is to attract new businesses and support existing ones in the North and which is at the heart of the Department for the Economy, will take a massive Brexit hit.”
“In partnership with the trade bodies, we are working through the deal that was published at the weekend, and we will continue to work with them to ensure that Northern Ireland as a region benefits, where possible, from the incoming arrangements. <BR /> <BR />The fact that three of the five Executive parties were always opposed to Brexit and recorded that opposition in votes in the Chamber says a lot about what Brexit means for Northern Ireland. As for the other two parties, it is not clear where the UUP stands on Brexit, and, as for the DUP, just a few months ago, it was feted by Boris Johnson, the ERG, the Tory media and the shady financial backers of its famous London newspaper Brexit ads. Boris Johnson has lied to the DUP so often, so publicly and so consistently that it is painful.”
“It was Mark Durkan, when he was MP for Foyle, who secured the written clarification from the then British Government Brexit Secretary, David Davis, subsequently confirmed in a European Council declaration that Northern Ireland is the only part of these islands that can rejoin the European Union without an article 49 negotiation. Just as the SDLP was at the heart of that important act, we will continue to be at the heart of that movement too. <BR /> <BR />There is no good Brexit. The SDLP never wanted any Brexit. However, it was important for our business community that Brexit was accompanied by a trade deal.”
“That can happen through another UK referendum, which will happen sooner or later, and it will be propelled by the experience and the realisation of the Welsh, Scottish and Irish people that their political future was, in the years between 2016 and 2020, forged by a narrow English nationalism that was facilitated by the DUP and allowed to override the needs and wishes of the rest of us. The referendum result will be undone by the generations not yet old enough to vote, but it will be undone, and the SDLP will be part of the great undoing. It can also happen through the reconciliation and realignment of Ireland as a political entity.”
“We believe that the future of the island is best served by being at the heart of the European project, not on the sidelines or, even worse, with our nose pressed up against the glass of the EU. I make this pledge today to the people of Northern Ireland on behalf of the SDLP: now that we have been forced out of the European Union against our will, against the democratically expressed will of the overwhelming majority of our people, we will, for as long as it takes, campaign for our return to full membership of the European Union.”
“Here we are in Christmas week, and, as democracy takes no break for holidays, it is right that we have come back here today to debate and, through our amendment, have the opportunity to vote on this significant and far-reaching issue, just as the other devolved Administrations are doing. Brexit and its fallout, including the trade deal that was heralded over the weekend, will have far-reaching consequences for all of us on this island, especially for us in the North. Our young people especially will live with the Brexit factor for years to come. <BR /> <BR />I will be clear today; the SDLP wanted no part in Brexit, and, importantly, nor did the people whom we represent.”
“I am very aware of the case that the Member has raised and the fact that she has made representations to me on the issue. The Member will know that there are complex issues around land ownership and legal responsibility in that regard. However, I am more than happy to meet the Member and her constituent to discuss what the Department is doing, our approach and what we can do working with other partners.”
“I wish that I could. I wish that I could say that we had seen a vast increase in the allocations to my Department to enable me to do so much more. However, I assure the Member that, even in the absence of that information, I remain committed to doing what I can to progress that agenda while I remain Minister for Infrastructure.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It is something that we are actively exploring as part of our blue/green fund. The Member rightly mentioned the increase in usage figures for the Comber greenway. At the recent Waterways Ireland meeting, we were reminded again of the exponential growth in the number of people embracing our greenways, so I want to do what I can to progress that. <BR /> <BR />I am a firm believer in "If you build it, they will come". However, we always need an evidence base, and that is why we are looking at whether we can put more counters in places so that we can provide the evidence of what is happening. There is a quiet revolution of people embracing Active Travel and reconnecting with nature and with one another.”
“The Member will know that, last month, I introduced a change in the law that will abolish a driver's right to request a replacement blood or urine specimen where a breath specimen is marginally above the legal alcohol limit. The removal of the statutory option is a much-needed update to road traffic legislation in Northern Ireland, and I worked closely and in collaboration with the PSNI on its delivery. <BR /> <BR />There is no excuse for drink-driving. I want to take a zero-tolerance approach to it, and I know that the PSNI is taking a zero-tolerance approach too. We will continue to work together to tackle drink-driving and to send a clear message that it is unacceptable and that it kills.”
“<BR /> <BR />As many of us will, hopefully, be able to enjoy time with our families safely, I want to warn very clearly that driving while taking drink and drugs is never acceptable. One drink can impair decision-making and cause a collision that can kill. I implore drivers never to drink or take drugs and drive — this Christmas or ever. <BR /> <BR />Finally, as your public transport services continue to operate throughout the pandemic and are available all over the Christmas period, I remind passengers, including post-primary children, that they must wear a face covering, because I am conscious that that is an issue that Members have been raising.”
“The Member asks an important question as families prepare to make their way home this Christmas to bubble in line with government regulations. COVID-19 remains very much with us, and we are at risk, so we all must do what we can to protect ourselves and our families from the virus. I urge all travellers to plan ahead, wear a face covering, keep your distance and wash your hands. Today, I issued a statement urging those travelling, whether by private or public transport, to take care. <BR /> <BR />I have reminded drivers that my Department will carry out parking and moving traffic bus lane enforcement as normal to ensure that vehicles are parked safely and are not causing disruption in bus lanes and elsewhere.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He is right to point out that the Taoiseach has announced €500 million for the Shared Island unit that is for North/South infrastructure projects. I have discussed the A5, the Narrow Water bridge and the other commitments in 'New Decade, New Approach' with my ministerial counterpart, Eamon Ryan, and with the Taoiseach. We are due to meet again as an NSMC this Friday, and I have no doubt that the A5 and the other commitments in 'New Decade, New Approach' will be discussed.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It was raised in questions for oral answer by your party colleague and other Members. My Department received the report on the A5 in September. It raised a number of detailed issues that we had to get legal advice on. I will consider that legal advice and all advice carefully before I decide on the next steps. It is, therefore, not possible at this stage to provide you with a definitive time frame, but I assure you that I remain committed to the delivery of the project. It is a strategic road project and a key road safety project. It is also critical to tackling regional imbalance.”
“For those reasons, the scheme that I put in place is designed to assist taxi drivers who could not avail themselves of the existing schemes but still incurred overhead costs from March until September of this year. In addition, taxi operators advised that providing financial support directly to drivers would provide the operators with indirect support because we were helping taxi drivers to remain in business and in work.”
“I thank the Member for his question. My officials and I have met the taxi operators. As part of the stakeholder engagement process for the financial support schemes, as I said, officials and I held meetings with taxi operators on 30 September and 27 October. Officials also met taxi operators on 20 October and 27 November. With regard to the available financial support schemes and sector eligibility, because taxi operators did not have premises they did not qualify for the Northern Ireland Executive support schemes for businesses. However, taxi businesses and operators who had premises could have availed themselves of one or other of the business support grant or loan schemes available. That was clear from the evidence and the information that they provided during the scheme's development stage.”
“<BR /> <BR />I remain disappointed that opportunities have been missed for taxi drivers' inclusion in the part B scheme run by the Department of the Economy, because they have been impacted by the restrictions on our hospitality sector.”
“<BR /> <BR />The scheme was set up as a means to help drivers with their ongoing overhead costs, but, in order to ensure value for money, it is dependent on actual expenses being incurred during 22 March and 30 September. That is because it is a retrospective scheme. I am aware of instances where taxi drivers who had continuous insurance were not able to obtain evidence of that. I am pleased to say that my Department has worked with insurance companies, which will provide a letter that we will accept as validation of that. I am also aware of a situation where many taxi drivers dropped their taxi insurance during that difficult period. I have said that I will continue to work with the sector to provide it with support during this time.”
“I thank the Member for raising the issue. The taxi driver financial assistance scheme opened on 13 November, 10 days after my Department was given the power to create a scheme. It closed two weeks later on 27 November. The scheme, which was agreed by the Executive, is designed to provide a contribution to the overhead costs, including PPE, that were incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was designed in consultation with taxi industry representatives, who said that, while drivers were eligible for the self-employed income support scheme, they still had static and high overhead costs, not least their taxi insurance, which they struggled to pay. That is why the scheme was designed to make a contribution to overhead costs.”
“I assure the Member that my officials stress at every opportunity the importance and uniqueness of the North and its situation and raise the concerns that hauliers rightly express to us. As a Department, we have regular engagement with the haulage sector, and I have written to Grant Shapps to raise those concerns directly. I raise them any time that I am on a Zoom meeting or a conference call with the British Government. I have also written to the Irish Government to highlight my concerns. I assure the Member that we will continue to avail ourselves of every opportunity to raise the issues and concerns of our haulage sector, given that it is so critical to our economy.”
“My officials continue to stress to the British Government the importance of free movement for road hauliers on the island of Ireland.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He raises an important point. I am sensitive to the fact that discussions between negotiating teams are ongoing and the outcome will be determined by the British Government and the EU. Any outcome that places a limit on the number of hauliers permitted to travel South to transport and receive goods, such as the need for a European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) permit, will have the potential for serious supply chain disruption and detrimental economic impacts in the North. I welcome the recent no-deal contingency arrangements announced by the EU, which are subject to UK reciprocity and confirm that hauliers will not require an ECMT permit. However, I have some concerns that hauliers will not be allowed to conduct cabotage or cross trade.”
“Yes, it is important that we have inclusively and affordability at the heart of this. The truth is that so many families across Northern Ireland cannot afford to own a car and are reliant on public transport. They could benefit hugely from being able to access safe infrastructure for cycling and walking. It is an environmental issue for me, but it is also an issue of social justice. I remain committed to doing what I can during my tenure to bring about change in the lives of citizens across the North.”
“I have to operate within the reality that we do not have a significantly long period left in the mandate and that we have many other pressures, not to mention COVID and Brexit. I assure the Member that, where change can be made, be it through resource allocation or policy change, I am committed to exploring all avenues, including legislation.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I do not know the answer; I do not know whether it is essential. One of the biggest challenges is changing the culture in government and outside of it. We have seen, during COVID, the success of active travel pilots, limited in number though they are, and how citizens will embrace active travel if they are given the opportunity to engage in it safely. I reassure the Member that I have initiated policy changes in the Department and appointed a walking and cycling champion to ensure a culture change at the heart of my Department. I have also asked my officials to bring to me a submission so that I can consider the merits of active travel legislation.”
“<BR /> <BR />There was general support for the idea of a network but the consultation highlighted the need to look more closely at the north and west of the city, where levels of cycling were lower and where there was less walking and cycling infrastructure. My Department engaged Sustrans to carry out further work on an active travel feasibility study for north and west Belfast in 2019. A final report for those two areas was provided to my Department earlier this year. Some work has been undertaken to revise the proposed network in light of that, and I have asked officials to ensure that a final document is ready for publication in the new year.”
“I thank the Member for his question. My vision is for Belfast to become a cycle-friendly city where anyone can have the freedom and confidence to use the bicycle for their everyday journeys. <BR /> <BR />The bicycle strategy, published in August 2015 by one of my predecessors, set out the objective of building a comprehensive network for the bicycle. One of the elements of that was to develop bicycle networks for the main urban areas in Northern Ireland. The intention was that the first would be for Belfast. A public consultation on the draft Belfast bicycle network was held in 2017. Following consideration of the many responses — some of which were very detailed — a consultation report was published in 2018, during the period when the Assembly was suspended.”
“for public consultation in late 2021, with a view to issuing the finalised plan in spring 2022.”
“For clarity, I intend publishing the draft regional strategic transport network transport plan”
“I intend to publish the draft regional strategic transport network transport plan for public consultation in late 2021, with a view to issuing the finalised plan in spring 2022.”
“I thank the Member for her question. My Department is developing a new regional strategic transport network transport plan — a nice snappy title — which will set out future investment and improvement for our strategic transport networks in road, rail and bus, and it will reflect my commitment to improving connectivity for the benefit of our economy and communities across Northern Ireland. This will consider proposals for the further development of strategic road improvement schemes, including the Castledawson to Dungiven section of the A6, and how they might facilitate complementary improvements to promote sustainable travel choices, connect people and communities, and create thriving and liveable places.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As I indicated in previous responses, we are on track to meet the time frame for the A6. That section is due for completion in 2022. <BR /> <BR />In respect of City of Derry Airport, the Member may be aware that York Aviation was commissioned to carry out a study into the viability of the airport, and it will analyse all the surrounding factors. That report has been submitted to a number of Departments, given that the statutory responsibilities for airports cut across a number of Ministries. My officials are considering that, as will I with my Executive colleagues.”
“As the Member said, phase 2 of the A6 Derry to Dungiven road project extends from Drumahoe to the A2 Caw roundabout. That 7-kilometre section is estimated to cost around £200 million and forms part of the A6 flagship project. As the Member will know, parts of the work will encroach on the Mobuoy waste site, and the final design will need to take that into account. Delivery of that phase of the project, which is not part of the current Dungiven to Drumahoe construction contract, is key and will depend on a range of factors, including future Budget settlements. I look forward to the Member joining me in making representations to the Executive to secure the funding that is required.”
“Funding has been set aside. Things moved rather quickly because of the COVID impact, so I made a bid for £14·8 million to the Executive and the Finance Minister. We increased the budget by that amount so that it could move ahead. From the advice that I have received from officials, I do not have any concerns in that regard. We are on track to meet all the targets and deadlines for delivery of the project, particularly around the time frame. That will be welcome news to the Member.”
“That means that the entire 15-kilometre scheme is now open to traffic, although there are still works ongoing, and temporary traffic management will be in place for several months. The benefits of the scheme are already being realised and fully welcomed by the public. The scheme will be fully complete in the spring. The 25·5-kilometre Dungiven to Drumahoe scheme is expected to complete in 2022, largely as planned. <BR /> <BR />Finally, the delivery of phase 2 of the A6 Derry to Dungiven road project, which extends from Drumahoe to the Caw roundabout, is key and will depend on a range of factors, including future Budget settlements.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Construction work is progressing well on the two flagship dualling schemes on the A6 road, which are the Randalstown to Castledawson scheme and the Dungiven to Drumahoe scheme. Together, the schemes represent an investment of over £400 million to enhance the connectivity of the north-west, improve journey time reliability, reduce journey times and improve road safety. <BR /> <BR />COVID-19 disrupted or stopped many activities as a result of difficulties in the supply chain, social-distancing requirements and staff absences. I am pleased, however, to advise that the projects are on track. I was pleased to see at first hand the new 5-kilometre section of the Randalstown to Castledawson scheme that opened to traffic last week.”
“As I indicated, my officials have obtained detailed legal advice on the report that we received. I will be considering that advice very carefully, along with all other advice, before announcing my next steps. It is not possible to give a clear time frame until that decision is reached. I assure the House, as I have said on multiple occasions, that I am committed to the project and am keen to see it progressed as far as possible during my tenure.”
“I assure the Member that I am committed to working with my colleagues in the Irish Government to ensure that we deliver for our citizens. In fact, we are due to meet again at the North/South Ministerial Council on Friday, at which the matter will no doubt be raised.”
“I thank the Member for his question and welcome the Irish Government's reaffirmation of their commitment in New Decade, New Approach to contribute £75 million to the project. I assure the Member that I have had useful discussions with the Irish Transport Minister, Minister Ryan, and the Taoiseach on delivering our shared commitments. In October, the Taoiseach announced that €500 million will be made available through the shared island fund to deliver on the Irish Government's commitment to build shared island infrastructure, which is underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. That was very good news. That funding is intended to contribute to the delivery of key infrastructure initiatives, including the A5.”