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.”
The complete record
Every one of 2,494 lines we hold for Nichola Mallon, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 29 of 50.
“That resulted in a further public inquiry, which concluded in March. My Department received an interim report from the inspector in September. My officials have considered the issues raised and recommendations made in the interim report and taken legal advice. I will consider that legal advice, and all advice, carefully before deciding on the next steps for the scheme and the timing of the publication of the inspector’s report. I assure the Member of my commitment to the scheme.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I reiterate my commitment to the A5 and to tackling regional imbalance, connecting communities and improving road safety. Many communities can benefit from investment in the A5 project, particularly those in rural parts west of the Bann. <BR /> <BR />The project has been subject to three separate legal challenges since its inception in 2007. The most recent was in December 2017, when a new decision to proceed with the scheme, made in the absence of a Minister, was challenged, which led to the quashing of the statutory orders in November 2018. Since then, my Department has been progressing the necessary work to enable a fresh decision to be made. <BR /> <BR />In spring 2019, an addendum to the environmental statement of 2016 and other environmental reports were published for consultation.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I think that he was present during the debate on the issue, so he will be well aware that the difficulty is that DAERA has not updated its operational protocol. That is causing delays in the determination of planning applications. If I recall correctly, around 19 planning applications are being held in the planning system pending determination. One of the key issues in resolving the matter is for DAERA to complete the work that is has indicated that it is undertaking. That will allow it to update its operational protocol and ensure that the most up-to-date responses are provided to applications and that they can be appropriately processed.”
“The Member is correct to point out that Shared Environmental Services is a service that is shared across all the councils. It was developed when we moved to the two-tier planning system. I am not aware of a subsequent review of it. I am aware, though, that councils have been asked to increase their financial contributions to Shared Environmental Services given the increase in consultation responses and the work that it has to engage in. If there has been a review since the transfer of planning powers, I will certainly be happy to update the Member.”
“As I said, my officials are doing a targeted consultation exercise. I encourage people to engage with my officials and raise those issues so that we can explore what can be done, if not within the framework of the current review, certainly at a later date.”
“I thank the Member for her question. As I outlined in the response to Dolores Kelly, the review of the Act is to ensure that it is meeting the intended objectives.”
“As the Member has highlighted, that issue was discussed. My role in this is from a planning perspective. I am also conscious that, during the same debate, there was a discussion around implementing a moratorium on planning approvals. I can confirm that I have engaged with the AERA Minister directly. As yet, we have not gone out further afield. My view on this is that the urgency that is required is on the review and updating of the operational protocol by DAERA to ensure that it is able to respond to consultations in a way that is based on the most recent case law and the most up-to-date scientific data on the issue of ammonia.”
“Furthermore, I committed my Department to assisting DAERA in taking forward work on its proposed ammonia strategy, which, I understand, is to include a review of the operational protocol. <BR /> <BR />In his response to me, Minister Poots advised that work on the ammonia strategy is in its final stages of preparation and will be completed before the end of this year. When completed, it will be issued for public consultation. He also stated that, with regard to the ammonia-related planning consultations that have been delayed, they are currently under consideration and he will shortly be discussing them with his officials.”
“As the Member may remember from the recent Assembly debate on ammonia, I advised that I had written to the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs about the ongoing ammonia and nitrates deposition issues that we face, particularly as they affect the planning system. I highlighted the need for DAERA to urgently revise its current operational protocol on ammonia-emitting projects, which is used as the basis for DAERA's advice to planning authorities in its role as a statutory consultee. I also asked for an update on the current position with the ammonia strategy and how, in the interim, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency can provide the advice needed to enable planning applications for ammonia-emitting development that are currently on hold to be determined.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He raises an important issue and difficulty. While I do not have at hand the number of planning applications that are being impacted, I can advise the Member that there are 116 locations across Northern Ireland that are at or almost at maximum capacity, thereby curtailing their developmental potential. It is an issue of huge concern. It impacts on every constituency, and it impacts on every local development plan that is being developed by our councils. It will curtail the number of homes, schools and hospitals that we can build. The Utility Regulator has identified £2 billion of investment that is required for the next price control period. The issue affects every Department and community, and it is one that we must tackle.”
“I thank the Member for his question. My Department has not identified any significant flood risk areas in the Strangford area. However, coastal areas and roads can be subject to large overtopping waves when strong onshore winds occur and sea levels are high. My Department has well-rehearsed emergency response plans that have been developed in conjunction with multi-agency partners, should there be a need to respond to flooding in the area. I am also aware that owners of some of the isolated properties at flood risk have availed themselves of my Department's homeowner flood protection grant scheme, which is intended to assist homeowners to make their property more resilient to flooding.”
“The model build phase was completed in December 2019 and audited for use in 2020. The output of the model has been shared with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA)', which will come back to NI Water once it has completed its assessment of the data.”
“I thank the Member for his question. In 2019 and 2020, Northern Ireland Water and DFI Roads undertook measures to remove considerable amounts of storm water from the foul sewerage system. It was that excess storm water that, during periods of intense rainfall, was the cause of out-of-sewer flooding in Saintfield. DFI Roads has replaced a damaged storm culvert on Listooder Road, and Northern Ireland Water has undertaken repair work on sewer pipes in the same area. Additionally, the sewers in Old Grand Jury Road have been repaired by Northern Ireland Water, greatly increasing the resilience of the sewerage system during heavy rainfall. <BR /> <BR />NI Water conducted extensive CCTV and flow surveys for use in developing a drainage area sewer network model in 2019.”
“I thank the Member for his question and for his kind comments on officials' work on the issue. It is a complex issue, and my Department is working to address it with developers and with residents, as the Member rightly pointed out. He also correctly said that it is important to engage with the financial institutions as we try to resolve this difficulty.”
“I thank the Member for her question. She is right: my Department is carrying out a review of the Planning Act. The purpose of the review is to ensure that the objectives that were intended through that legislation are being met. It will also examine things that can be retained, amended or repealed, and my officials are going out to consultation with councils, businesses, environmental groups and other key stakeholders. I am sure that the issue will be raised with them.”
“At that time, the estimated cost to bring those up to standard was in the region of £300 million, which excluded any land purchase, required structures or utility works. This is an issue, but it requires huge resource.”
“I thank the Member for her question. She is correct: there are historical unadopted roads and laneways in Northern Ireland that sit outside the private streets process. Article 9 of the Private Streets Order 1980 allows my Department to consider the adoption of some roads if the majority of the owners or frontagers request it and the road or street is first brought up to the required adoption standard. While I understand that there is a desire among frontagers on private roads and lanes to have improvement works carried out by my Department, the reality is that it is not feasible due to the current budget position and the many pressures faced by my Department. A scoping study was carried out in 2011 and found that there were over 620 kilometres of unadopted roads and laneways in Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Member will also appreciate that the adoption of private streets in developments is a developer-led process and the majority progress to adoption without the need for intervention by my Department or Northern Ireland Water (NIW). I also fully appreciate the concerns of residents in unadopted developments and the difficult situations that some find themselves in. My Department continues to work closely with developers, NI Water, financial institutions and residents to get roads and sewerage infrastructure adopted. <BR /> <BR />I am committed to ensuring that developers provide road and sewerage infrastructure to a standard suitable for adoption in a timely manner and to impressing on developers the need to provide safe and adequate infrastructure for residents in the interim period prior to adoption.”
“I thank the Member for her question. My Department manages the adoption of roads that are proposed for adoption through the private streets determination process that is undertaken as part of the planning process. Once planning permission is received, my officials work closely with developers and financial institutions to pursue the adoption of the development roads in a timely fashion. My Department has undertaken almost 1,100 private street adoptions in developments over the last five years, and progress has been made in adopting a significant number of unadopted developments that emanated from the property crash in 2007.”
“The committee, which has an independent chair and two external members, has unrestricted access to the internal and external auditors. It also has access to the work of internal audit, approves the internal audit work plan and receives reports on various aspects of internal control.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Waterways Ireland is accountable to the Department for Infrastructure, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) and the North/South Ministerial Council. Ministers discharge their oversight responsibilities in respect of Waterways Ireland through the NSMC. That includes consideration and agreement of the budget, of corporate and business plans, and of progress towards agreed business targets and project milestones. <BR /> <BR />Quarterly monitoring meetings are chaired by senior civil servants from DFI and DHLGH. The chief executive officer and appropriate directors attend to account for business performance and corporate governance. Waterways Ireland's audit committee meets quarterly.”
“It is important that we build on that momentum and success. <BR /> <BR />A number of times, I have talked about the "quiet revolution" during COVID, whereby people are re-engaging with nature, having a more active lifestyle and getting a renewed appreciation for their shared home place. I am really pleased that Waterways Ireland has been part of the delivery of that and that it will continue to build on that success and the positive feedback from visitors and local communities, because we have a real opportunity to make inland waterways a more integral part of the local community as we build the green recovery in the post-pandemic era.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It points to something that has been very positive during the pandemic. Where counter metrics are available, comparisons with the 2019 figures showed a 110% increase in user numbers on towpaths and trails along the navigations from March to August 2020. Where counter metrics are not available, feedback from local government and community partners indicated an unprecedented increase in the number of users, many of whom were using the facilities for the first time. During August, all boat hire companies reported 100% bookings, solely from the domestic market, as the inland waterways became a popular option for staycations. In previous years, the domestic market accounted for, on average, 22% of boat hire business. Bookings for September and October were at 80% to 90%, again from the domestic market.”
“Work relating to land requirements and purchase arrangements for that section of the restoration has also commenced. I will briefly mention phase 3. Work will commence on the restoration of the stretch from Castle Saunderson to Clonfad when phase 2 is complete. All three phases of the project have been funded by the Irish Government.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As he will know, in 2007, the Irish Government gave a commitment to fund the total cost of the restoration of the Ulster canal from Lough Erne to Clones. In the same year, Waterways Ireland was given NSMC approval to explore the possible restoration of the Ulster canal from Lough Erne to Clones. Phase 1 — the restoration of the stretch from Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson — was completed in spring 2019 and is now open for navigation. Phase 2 — the restoration of the stretch from Clones to Clonfad — is under way. A commission to investigate the source of a sustainable water supply for the marina has been completed. Waterways Ireland is satisfied that a suitable supply has been sourced in order to facilitate the development. Creative design is also ongoing to develop a vision for the canal in Clones.”
“I am advised that Ministers agreed that the existing governance arrangements should be strengthened but that there was no requirement for the appointment of a board at this time. I assure the Member that steps have since been taken to strengthen the governance arrangements. An annual service level agreement has been put in place between Waterways Ireland and sponsor Departments, and Waterways Ireland provides biannual assurance statements to sponsor Departments.”
“At the NSMC plenary meeting on 15 June 2012, Ministers endorsed the St Andrews review recommendation that sponsor Departments should consider options for the setting up a board to direct Waterways Ireland's affairs, and an options paper was presented to Ministers for consideration at the North/South Ministerial Council meeting on 19 June 2013.”
“The Minister of Finance here had cleared the accounts. The Minister of Finance in the South did not have time to clear them in advance of the meeting, but I understand that they have now been cleared. Therefore, those accounts will be laid in the Assembly and the Houses of the Oireachtas. <BR /> <BR />As to there being no board, the Member will know that North/South bodies were established under the North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (NI) Order 1999. Two of the six bodies were established without a requirement in legislation to have a board, one of which was Waterways Ireland.”
“A leakage and the swing bridge were repaired at Portna lock and an automated lifting device was installed. Work will commence on the rehabilitation of Carnroe weir in spring 2021 with an anticipated completion date of autumn 2022. <BR /> <BR />It is also important to note that Waterways Ireland has reported an increase of 3,288 boat registrations since 2016. That demonstrates the increasing popularity of our inland waterways.”
“DFI capital allocations to Waterways Ireland are invested in repairing damage to the infrastructure — replacing jetties, moorings and other facilities that are beyond repair — and providing additional facilities to accommodate the increasing number of users on Lough Erne and the lower Bann. <BR /> <BR />Specifically, in the years 2017 to 2020, Waterways Ireland delivered a number of capital projects on Lough Erne and the lower Bann. Toome lock house was refurbished and opened as a waterways heritage centre and cafe that is operated by Toomebridge Development Amenities and Leisure Limited, a local community association. Existing jetties were replaced, some with floating jetties, at six sites on Lough Erne, and access ramps were also replaced where necessary.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It is great to hear that he is embracing the active travel agenda — literally on his e-bike. <BR />Waterways Ireland has a statutory duty to engage, maintain, develop and promote the navigations for which it is responsible, mainly for recreational purposes. To fulfil that statutory duty, the navigational infrastructure must be fit for purpose and meet health and safety requirements and customer expectations. Severe weather events, particularly the more frequent incidences of flooding in recent years, as well as ongoing usage, causes the deterioration of infrastructure.”
“In the short term, following the exit, our rules are likely to remain the same; however, they may change in the medium term. The additional procurement regime will also bring added administration and Waterways Ireland has considered the implications of the need to migrate to a new tender advertising portal and platform. <BR /> <BR />As the Member highlighted, EU funding will no longer be available in the North, except for PEACE PLUS, which the EU has committed to continue to allocate. Of course, any changes to the common travel area arrangements would impact on Waterways Ireland staff whose area of work covers both jurisdictions, as well as on users of the navigations, particularly the Shannon/Erne waterway that runs through Counties Leitrim, Cavan and Fermanagh. To assure the Members, those issues were discussed.”
“I thank the Member for her question. It is absolutely clear that there should be no reduction in any of our environmental standards. When we spoke about Brexit, we examined the preparations that Waterways Ireland has undertaken for the end of the transition period. We also talked about the impact that it may have. Although there is no possible outcome from Brexit that will impact solely on Waterways Ireland, there are various outcomes that will impact on the organisation. EU directives will no longer apply to GB and NI, which may lead to an incremental divergence in legislation between the two jurisdictions over time. GB and NI will also not have to comply with the EU procurement directives, so some rules may be changed.”
“It has been engaging across Europe and looking at international best practice to ensure that we are able to showcase our blue infrastructure, our navigations and our canals in a way that ensures maximum benefit to health and well-being, but also for tourism — for people who live here, but also for when we are able to open up again and invite people from around the world to come and see the many assets that we have.”
“Waterways Ireland is obviously about ensuring that we maximise our blue infrastructure. The Member will be aware that, particularly during COVID, we have seen a huge increase in the number of people who are accessing our local heritage and our local blue and green infrastructure. It is about ensuring that that is safe and that we are able to invest in that infrastructure so that we grow it. One of the things that we have seen during COVID is a huge increase in the number of visitors and the number of people who are using this infrastructure as part of their staycations. I would like to see us build on that, and I know that Waterways Ireland is committed to that.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I agree that it is a game changer and that there are huge benefits. My understanding of the route is as he has set out, but I am happy to provide further detail to the Member as we move this project forward.”
“The CEO post in Waterways Ireland became vacant with the departure of the former postholder. As a result of the absence of the NSMC at that time, a successor could not be appointed, so the post was filled on an interim basis and with a fixed-term contract. I can confirm to the Member that a recruitment competition was launched by the Public Appointments Service on 23 October; the closing date was 12 November. Following the normal process of shortlisting and interview, the successful candidate will be appointed by the NSMC.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I have not received any information on the time frame other than what has been set out, but I am happy to come back to the Member with further details if that does not prove to be correct.”
“I thank the Member for her question. Waterways Ireland is committed to working in partnership with local authorities and their tourist representative bodies. The Ulster canal greenway, and the canal itself, are projects that will deliver multiple benefits, not only for physical and mental health but also in attracting visitors to the area, so they are hugely important for their tourism benefits. Waterways Ireland will, no doubt, continue to work with all key partners in the delivery of the project.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Ulster canal greenway strategy, devised by Waterways Ireland in collaboration with local authority partners along the Ulster canal corridor, identified 12 potential greenway routes totalling almost 200 km in length, and two of them comprised this project: Smithborough to Monaghan, and Monaghan to Middletown. <BR /> <BR />The annual socio-economic value of improved health outcomes from local population access to those 200 km of greenway for walking and cycling is estimated at £14·4 million, so they are projects with huge multiple benefits. That fits into my priorities as well in ensuring that we have a green recovery from COVID-19.”
“I am happy to provide an update on the Ulster canal greenway. As the Member rightly points out, the Ulster canal restoration project is a commitment in New Decade, New Approach, as is the Ulster canal greenway. <BR /> <BR />Waterways Ireland, in collaboration with Monaghan County Council, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, and East Border Region Ltd, took the lead in submitting an application for INTERREG funding for the project. The application was successful, and just under €5 million was allocated towards the cost of the greenway.”
“I thank the Member for her question. That issue was not discussed at the meeting. However, the Member will know that I have been engaging with local stakeholders on the issue. Most recently, I met representatives of all political parties in the council to hear their views on a lifting bridge. I am continuing with that focused engagement to ensure that we get the right project for the Newry southern relief road. The Member will also be aware of my commitment to a bridge at Narrow Water.”
“All the disposals were in the South of Ireland. None was contentious. Some were financially significant, and each property is, naturally, subject to valuation prior to disposal to ensure that best value for money is achieved. <BR /> <BR />I am happy to share the reports with the Committee and with Members.”
“It also disposed of a 99-year lease for the erection of a road bridge crossing the Barrow River as part of the Athy distributor road scheme; and the granting of a supplemental lease of an area of Shannon waterway in County Roscommon.”
“<BR /> <BR />Also disposed of was an easement to formalise a right of way to access lands in Mullingar in County Westmeath; an easement in respect of a 500 millimetre diameter and 300 millimetre diameter rising main under the Grand canal using an existing 1,500 millimetre culvert as part of the Upper Liffey Valley sewerage scheme; an easement for surface water and foul sewer pipes under the Royal canal at Branniganstown; an easement to facilitate access to their property at Skirteen, County Kildare; a right-of-way easement to facilitate access to the property at Jigginstown, Naas, County Kildare; and an easement to facilitate access to their property at Rogerstown, Edenderry, County Offaly.”
“The Council also disposed of a 35-year lease for a revised area of land to facilitate the construction of an access gangway and retractable pontoon at Ballyvollane, Mountshannon Road, Annacotty in County Limerick; a lease to facilitate the continued construction of the Royal canal greenway; an easement to facilitate a prescribed right of way to the domestic residents and land at Moyvally, Enfield in County Kildare; an easement to formalise a right of way to access land at Bracklin Little, Kilbeggan in County Offaly; the granting of a 99-year lease and sale of an area of ground along the shoreline at Priors Point, Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim; and an easement to facilitate a right of way to a property at Clogheen, County Kildare, that they purchased from Waterways Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />Also disposed of was a lease of airspace at Grand canal dock for the portion of the cantilevered office development at the Malthouse, which extends over Grand canal dock; an easement of the installation of a polyethylene pipe at Rathangan across the Grand canal to facilitate storms outfall; a lease for the erection of a pedestrian bridge to service a new railway station at Pelletstown railway development, Dublin 15; an easement for an installation of a docked housing; and a power cable to provide power to the rail lines at Pelletstown railway development, Dublin 15.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The properties that were disposed of included a lease agreement for the airspace at Grand canal dock; the portion of the cantilevered office development of Waterways House, which extends over Grand canal dock; three separate lease agreements for the lease of airspace at Grand canal quay for the redevelopment of Bolands Mill, which will encroach into Waterways Ireland airspace over Grand canal quay at Barrow Street, Dublin; to facilitate the development off a pedestrian boardwalk and 10 residential balconies and two cultural exhibition balconies; and a 999-year lease of airspace at Grand canal quay for the development of the Mill 2 Dock Mill apartment development Barrow Street, Dublin into apartments with balconies and an incorporated lower deck.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council agreed to hold its next NSMC inland waterways meeting in early 2021.”
“<BR /> <BR />We noted that Waterways Ireland's 2020-22 corporate plan and 2020 and 2021 business plans have been prepared and, following necessary approvals, will be submitted to the NSMC for approval before the end of 2020. <BR /> <BR />We also noted the process for the recruitment of the chief executive officer for Waterways Ireland. The Council consented to a number of property disposals and received a progress report on the restoration of the Ulster canal and the development of the Ulster canal greenway. We noted the progress that was achieved in the restoration of the Ulster canal, including the completion of phase 1 of the restoration from Upper Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson, the ongoing work and future plans for the restoration from Clones to Clonfad and the development of the Ulster canal greenway.”