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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“As the Member points out, as part of the New Decade, New Approach, the Irish Government reaffirmed a £75 million commitment in the Fresh Start Agreement to the A5 project to complete phase 1A from Newbuildings to Strabane north. I assure the Member that, as soon as possible, I will engage with my counterpart in the South, because it is important that that commitment is realised. I believe that there is full intention to see the commitment realised by the Irish Government, and I will continue to work with my counterpart to ensure that we get that project delivered.”
“The Member will be aware, from the priorities that I outlined when I took up the post, that I am serious about doing what I can to tackle regional imbalance. The A5 is a project that is referenced specifically in the New Decade, New Approach agreement. As he outlined, it has been subject to a public inquiry. When the findings of the public inquiry are completed, a submission will be made to me. I am mindful that I need to robustly follow due process and ensure that all the statutory processes are complete but that I also need to expedite things. People have been waiting for a very, very long time on this project. I assure the Member that, as soon as I am in a position to be able to make a decision on it, I will do so.”
“I very much recognise that. They are the backbone of our economy and our society in connecting people and ensuring that they are able to access work and services. I do not disagree with anything that the Member just said.”
“The advice to everyone is to follow the Public Health Agency's advice, and I encourage everyone to do that. I have begun a round of engagement with the taxi industry about taxi-related matters and concerns, but I will use that opportunity to make sure that it is as updated as possible on the advice from the Public Health Agency. I am happy to engage in that proactively by contacting the industry and its representatives to ensure that the latest advice is being followed for the safety of our taxi drivers and their customers.”
“I would not want to pre-empt the outcome of any public consultation, but, no doubt, there will be consideration given to issues such as the level of demand and the level of public transport service provision already in place along those routes. All those things will be analysed in the round. Of course, I ask him and others to encourage as many people as possible to respond to the consultation so that we can get to the right option.”
“There has been significant population growth in the area, and I encourage the Member, when the consultation goes out, to feed his views into it, as I am sure he will continue to do, at every opportunity possible.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Belfast rapid transit phase 2 proposes to extend the existing network to serve, as I have said, north Belfast, south Belfast, Queen's University and the City Hospital and was submitted by my Department for inclusion in the Belfast region city deal. My officials are working closely with councils and other partners to take forward a feasibility-and-options appraisal, which will help in identifying route options. <BR /> <BR />We aim to have this work completed by the end of this calendar year, and it is my intention that a public consultation exercise will follow to allow the public and Members to comment on route options. I accept the point that the Member makes about Mallusk.”
“I assure the Member that we are in close communication. The situation facing us is unprecedented. We need to work together across this House, across all Departments, across these islands, and across this island North and South. I am committed to doing that as Minister for Infrastructure, and I am committed to working with Translink, our community transport operators, the Public Health Agency and with those responsible for transport in the South.”
“However, we must all be mindful of advice from the Public Health Agency, as advice on personal hygiene is among the most important advice being given currently. Therefore, I again reiterate the appeal to people to follow the medical advice to slow down the spread of the coronavirus by making sure that they very frequently wash their hands.”
“I assure the Member that my Department and my officials are in daily contact with senior officials in Translink. A number of measures regarding the advice being given to staff have been put in place on cleaning and upscaling the cleaning that is required. To ensure the safety of everyone involved, Translink is amending its procedures for staff on contact with customers. This has included the position whereby no contact between staff and the public will take place for ticket checks. In addition, Translink has issued staff with personal hygiene products in the form of hand sanitisers and wipes, whilst all handwashing facilities are continually replenished. <BR /> <BR />I can also confirm that Glider ticket-vending machines are cleaned weekly, and I have asked Translink to continue to review this in line with PHA guidance.”
“I sit with Executive Ministers on a range of issues, and I have to say that the discussion that took place at the last meeting of the Executive subgroup was sincere and genuine. Ministers from all Departments were committed to doing what they can because they have been affected by this, if not from within their own families then with their friends and their community. I do believe that we will have sincere, genuine collaborative working on this.”
“I am very aware of the devastation being caused by poor mental health and suicide, particularly in our constituency of North Belfast. We have had some very difficult times of late. This is an issue that, I believe, transcends party politics.”
“My Department is currently working in partnership with stakeholders to consider positive actions that can be taken at a number of locations, including the M2 and the Westlink corridor. However, we must all work together to address the underlying problems and the contributory factors to poor mental health right across our society. I believe that an innovative and collaborative approach is required, and I look forward to working closely with Executive colleagues through the Executive working group but also to working with local communities, experts, stakeholders and staff to promote positive mental health and resilience.”
“I thank the Member for asking this question on an issue that we are both passionate about. Mental health and well-being are extremely important to me, both personally and as a Minister, and it is an important issue in my Department. Individually and collectively, particularly through the Executive working group on mental well-being, resilience and suicide prevention, we all have a responsibility to act to address the issue, which is devastating families across Northern Ireland. I recognise that our infrastructure has an important role to play in improving mental health and preventing suicide, and I am committed to ensuring that my Department contributes fully to that agenda. <BR /> <BR />I fully appreciate that engineering solutions may provide part of the answer, and I will be led by the expert advice.”
“I am aware of the flooding incident there, and it is an issue and an area that my Department is looking at. I do not have details in front of me, but I am happy to write to the Member to provide a full update.”
“I thank the Member for her kind words, and I also wish to put on record my thanks to those in my Department who worked to protect those impacted on by the flooding at Lough Neagh. I am happy to meet the fishermen's cooperative when I am there, and perhaps we could do a morning or an afternoon when we could meet all the organisations and businesses in the area.”
“I was aware of businesses' concerns after the particularly heavy spell of rain. Dolores Kelly raised the issue, and I know that you have been raising it as well. I am happy to meet business people and farmers in the area to set out what the Department has achieved in terms of recommendations to address any concerns or issues that people might have about the operation of gates and what the Department is doing to manage the water levels in Lough Neagh. I am happy to have that meeting and to provide that reassurance to people.”
“Other learning included the need for a coordinator to lead local government emergency preparedness work; support for the community resilience approaches that have been developed by my Department with multiagency partners; the benefits of natural flood risk management techniques; improvements to flood risk communications; and research into crops in flood-prone areas. I advise the Member that all recommendations have now been addressed and many positive benefits in the management of flood risk here have already been realised as a result.”
“Following the flooding that occurred as a result of the heavy rainfall over a number of months during the 2015-16 winter period, an independent review carried out by Professor Alan Strong was published in December 2016. The report made 10 headline recommendations that covered a number of areas that would help to further improve the ability of government and society to manage and respond to flooding. <BR /> <BR />Recommendations included a review of the management of water levels in Lough Neagh that concluded that any alternative operation of floodgates other than the existing procedure carried out by my Department would not have significantly reduced water levels on Lough Neagh.”
“We now need to lift them up and deliver so much more for them.”
“My Department has been severely impacted on in respect of its responsibilities. All Departments have been severely impacted on because, for three years, we had no one in charge. We had no one in position to make decisions so that we could do things in an improved way or begin to do things in a new way. People will be frustrated about what has happened in the past three years. This is the issue for us now: how ambitious are we for this place of ours? How committed are we to working together to ensure that we improve the lives of everybody who lives here, particularly the most vulnerable? We can look back, and we can be angry and frustrated. I choose to look forward. I choose to work with Executive colleagues in good faith. The people of Northern Ireland have been let down for three years.”
“There have been years upon years of underinvestment in our waste water infrastructure, and we are coming to a critical point.”
“I agree very much with the Member that it is essential that we ensure that our citizens have access to clean, safe drinking water and safe water treatment works. That is also essential if we are serious about growing our economy, tackling regional imbalance, tackling the climate emergency and improving people's lives. I welcome the approach being taken in the Programme for Government. This issue demonstrates that responsibility does not reside solely in one Department: we all have a responsibility. I have made the case on the issue to Executive colleagues, and they have been very responsive. Mindful that we are in a difficult period that will bring with it its own financial difficulties, I hope that, when we see budget allocations, we will work together to begin to address this.”
“I can assure the Member that discussions have taken place and are taking place. As he will know, there has been no allocation of the budget, so I cannot give him a definitive response to that question. I can, however, reassure him that, for me, investment in our waste water infrastructure is critical. If we are serious about delivering on the outcomes in our Programme for Government, it is essential. I will not be found wanting in continuing to make representations or in working with all Executive colleagues to see that ambition realised.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. It is an important issue. There are now 116 areas in Northern Ireland where we are constrained in terms of planning applications and being able to build homes and grow our economy. It is an issue not just for the Department for Infrastructure but for all of us, and I recognise that there are particular pinch points. I want to work with all Members and Ministers so that we can deliver homes — that is very important to me — but also create the opportunities to grow our economy in places such as Derry and Strabane and across Northern Ireland.”
“It is an area that I have begun to look at. I am beginning to engage with a range of stakeholders, because the facts are "No drains, no cranes". It is about how we can work collaboratively and in partnership to address the issue. At some point in the not too distant future, I hope to write to Executive colleagues to see whether there are other things that we could do around developers' contributions, but I am certainly of the view that we have a huge issue when it comes to matching the need for investment in our waste water infrastructure. There is a lot that my Department could do with developers and housing associations on sustainable drainage systems. It is very much an area that I intend to focus on, going forward.”
“However, all PC21 projects are subject to prioritisation and the availability of adequate funding. I therefore welcome the commitments made in the New Decade, New Approach agreement to address years of underfunding in waste water and am working with the Finance Minister and my other Executive colleagues to secure the level of finance required.”
“<BR /> <BR />In the Strangford constituency, the following capital investment schemes are scheduled by Northern Ireland Water to start in its current price-control period: new waste water treatment works in Ballygowan, an investment of approximately £6 million; and new waste water treatment works at Ards North at a value of £18 million that will serve Ballywalter, Ballyhaskin and Carrowdore. Those works are scheduled to achieve their beneficial use early in the next price-control period, known as PC21, which starts in 2021. In PC21, investment of around £143 million has been identified to address waste water system capacity issues affecting development in the Strangford constituency.”
“I am aware of the increasing issues at waste water treatment works and in the sewerage system. I am concerned that that is having an impact on the environment and on planning decisions in respect of housing and business developments seeking connection to the sewerage network across the North. I have outlined to Executive colleagues the pressures facing my Department, including those of water and waste water. I have also made representations directly to the Finance Minister and impressed on him the need for investment to ensure that we can provide the critical infrastructure needed to ensure that we build the many more homes that we need and to drive economic growth, so that we can improve the lives of citizens right across Northern Ireland.”
“The fact that we have seen maximum capacity at a number of park-and-ride sites is testimony to the success of the scheme. All that has to be underpinned by our efforts to see a modal shift in the way in which people get around in their daily life. We should encourage more people to walk and cycle and factor that into our decision-making on the location of park-and-ride schemes. I assure the Member that I want to do what I can. Again, that is budget-dependent. When I have the money, I will try to do as much as I can, but I have to be honest and realistic about the severe constraints within which I must operate.”
“In addition, stations are being cleaned more frequently, and, when cleaners are on site, an enhanced cleaning of stations will take place. <BR /> <BR />Throughout all of this, we should underline the Public Health Agency's advice that personal hygiene is the appropriate method to protect all of us. As part of that, Translink will provide guidance on COVID-19 on its website to keep customers updated on the latest developments. I assure Members that Translink continues to review its guidance in the light of advice from the Public Health Agency and that the safety of the public and its staff will remain Translink's priority.”
“I thank the Member for that important question. I am acutely aware of the concerns that many communities and people have regarding the COVID-19 virus and how best to tackle the outbreak. My Department is working with all Departments, agencies, operators and the Public Health Agency to respond to and plan for this evolving situation. No effort will be spared in our work to tackle the outbreak. My Department has received advice on the coronavirus epidemic from the Chief Medical Officer that has been shared with Translink. The organisation has implemented a range of measures in the light of that advice. They include enhanced weekly cleaning of buses and enhanced twice-weekly cleaning of trains. That is in addition to the regular daily cleaning that is undertaken on the public transport fleet.”
“The Glider project has been hugely successful. When looking at passenger numbers, we look particularly at usage by older citizens and people with disabilities. As the Member will be aware, there are proposals for phase 2 Glider that would extend it from the south of the city across to north Belfast. An interim outline business case is being prepared for consideration. I hope to be in a position to move to public consultation on the proposed routes later this year.”
“I assure the Member that I can see the multiple benefits that can be derived from our park-and-ride schemes. I have an ambitious programme. The Department has a number of park-and-ride scheme extensions and new schemes that we would like to deliver, but that would cost £39 million. This year, the budget for park-and-ride was £2 million, which severely curtailed the Department's ambition. I have had negotiations and discussions with the Finance Minister and other colleagues because, if I were able to secure more money, given new and emerging pressures, I would absolutely do more. I will do more to deliver on park-and-ride, but, as with all these things, at times, we have to cut our cloth.”
“As the Member will know, the car-parking provision at Whiteabbey station is a Translink facility and therefore is not enforced by my Department's enforcement service provider's traffic attendants. There is no legislation in place that would permit that type of enforcement. I am aware of undisciplined parking on Old Station Road in the vicinity of Whiteabbey park-and-ride, and my Department is progressing "No waiting at any time" legislation that will allow two-way traffic to run at all times. The legislation has been advertised, and I hope that it will be implemented in the next few months.”
“However, completing all the planned park-and-ride schemes would cost £39 million. This year's budget was £2 million, severely curtailing my Department's ability to make as much progress as we would like, given the multiple benefits derived from park-and-ride schemes. <BR /> <BR />As the Member will be aware, infrastructure is key to connecting our communities. It is the bedrock on which we should build our ambitions for delivery of radical change to improve lives. I assure the Member of my commitment to improving lives, connecting communities and challenging the climate emergency in the time ahead.”
“The aim of park-and-ride at rail stations is to support a modal shift to public transport. It does that by enabling those starting their journey by car from rural areas and smaller towns to access rail for the larger part of their journey. For that reason, particularly given the budgetary constraints, park-and-ride sites are located on the strategic rail network and are less prevalent at more central stations in close proximity to the city centre. <BR /> <BR />In line with that, 113 spaces are provided at Whiteabbey station. While there is growing demand, it is not possible to extend that facility. That is due to the park-and-ride being landlocked. However, plans are being advanced, subject to funding, to add up to 500 spaces at Mossley West and Trooperslane. <BR /> <BR />I am supportive of expanding our park-and-ride schemes.”
“I am conscious that I do not want to step into the portfolio or brief of my colleague, Minister Edwin Poots, but I am clear that we should do more as a society to promote a circular economy. We should be reducing the packaging that we see in our shops and our supply chain, and, as individuals and consumers, we should be making better choices when it comes to purchasing products with less packaging and doing all that we can to recycle. We face a real and global challenge with regard to the climate emergency, and all of us across all Departments, across society and even in our homes, should be doing much more on that front.”
“Yes, I am aware of the nature of the application; I am aware of the considerable interest in it; and I am aware of the length of time that it has been ongoing. I assure the Member that I will take all the evidence that is presented to me and follow due process. I am not in a position to say when a decision will be reached. I have not received any information or submissions from officials, but I assure the Member and all those who are following the application with interest that I will be fair, robust and impartial in examining all the evidence in coming to the best possible decision.”
“Since taking up my post, one of my priorities — I have made it clear — has been tackling the climate emergency. I see that we should do more to promote recycling. I have already committed to working with the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs as, together, we try to advance the climate action agenda.”
“The planning application for the Hightown incinerator is for the construction of a residual waste treatment facility at the former Hightown quarry in Mallusk. The facility is designed to deal with the residual waste from the six councils in the Arc21 waste management group. As my officials will be making a recommendation to me on the planning application, it is important that I consider carefully and take into account all views in reaching any decision that needs to be taken. In the interim, as, I hope, the Member appreciates, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the individual planning merits or otherwise of the application.”
“I want to work with you and in partnership with others so that we can see that ambition for a greener, more sustainable, more environmentally friendly and connected society delivered on the ground. Thank you, Members.”
“Key to that will be a proactive partnership between my Department and the Department for Communities, but councils and communities also have a key role to play. Great progress could be made in the further development of the Comber greenway through better partnership working between my Department — I am willing to play my part in that — and the three councils that are particularly relevant to this case. As Mr Lyttle said, a steering group has been set up by my Department, and I have asked officials to re-engage in that and step that process up a gear. <BR /> <BR />I recognise the importance of the Comber greenway. I again want to thank Mr Newton for bringing the issue to the Floor. I also want to thank all Members who spoke so passionately about the Comber greenway and the need for more greenways across the North.”
“I am happy to try to pick those up, because I want to have a proactive and positive overarching approach to our greenways. <BR /> <BR />To sum up, Members are right: the evidence is there — we know that it is there — that greenways increase levels of walking and cycling, address flood alleviation, enhance biodiversity and grow local businesses. They also bring joy to children, be they Mr Allen's three children or Oisín, who Mr Lyttle referred to. As Miss McIlveen and Ms Bunting said, they are places where you can go to begin or to continue a health kick or where you can go with your friends to spend time and relax and enjoy each other's company. <BR /> <BR />I want to do what I can. I believe that the best way to do it is in partnership with others.”
“I take on board the points that were raised by Miss McIlveen, the Chair of the Infrastructure Committee. She has been on fact-finding missions, she has been a Minister and she understands. I am aware of the grant support programme that she had, and I am positively looking at that. I am also mindful that we need to learn the lessons about consultation and communication that she referred to. She is right: we need to build consensus and accommodation among those who use our greenways and those who neighbour them. I want to ensure that that lesson is learned going forward. <BR /> <BR />I also want to thank other Members who spoke. Mr McGuigan and Mr Durkan spoke about the importance of greenways and referred, with your indulgence, to issues in their constituencies.”
“Once the budget has been set, I want to see what I can do to deliver on my vision for the greenways.”
“I understand that, and I agree with the vision and approach that was articulated by Mr McGuigan:”
“<BR /> <BR />There is also a need, as Members said, to better connect our greenways, and I need to back that commitment with money.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mr Newton, Mr Lyttle and others mentioned trying to improve the attractiveness of our greenway as a community facility. Yes, that includes lighting, but it also includes the provision of other facilities such as seating. I am keen to investigate the possibilities through working with the councils. As Members will know, councils have wider powers for community facilities — powers that my Department does not have — and it appears that they have scope to develop the greenway as the linear park that Members expressed support for. I agree with Members that this is important for delivering on the physical and mental health and well-being outcomes in our Programme for Government, so I am keen to work with Members and the three named councils as we try to move this forward.”
“Creative use of our spaces, such as the development of greenways, will help us to achieve that vision, and I look forward to working in partnership to build on the successes already realised and deliver action on active travel. <BR /> <BR />Members raised specific points during the debate. Mr Newton pointed out that some lighting infrastructure has been put in place and ducting installed. I recognise the importance of lighting. As other Members said, lighting is key to enhancing greenways and to making people feel safe. <BR /> <BR />I assure Members that I want to see what more I can do to remove the barriers for people who want to walk and cycle more. When the budget settlement becomes clear, it is an area that I want to focus on, but it is important to say that I want to work in partnership with councils on delivery.”