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 have not seen the footage that the Member referred to, but I am keen to work with councils to put in improved signage to enhance road safety where and when it is needed. I am also mindful that the road safety strategy runs out in December this year. I have already asked officials to start bringing me information, because I want to make informed choices so that we can have an effective road safety strategy with actions that not only are deliverable but can bring about a real change in road safety. For that, I mean issues from signage right up to, perhaps, legislative change and changes in penalties for very dangerous driving. I want to take a comprehensive and holistic approach.”
“I have requested a meeting with the Chief Constable, because, as Minister for road safety, I take my responsibilities for this very seriously. I will meet him in just a couple of weeks, and among the items we will discuss will be issues around detection. I want to have a discussion with him about drink-driving and drug-driving as well. I am keen to work with all partners, including the Chief Constable and the PSNI, on making our roads much safer.”
“It is one of many areas where we are not, perhaps, as progressed as we would like. A lot of that has to do with having no Assembly or Executive in place to drive things forward. I have asked officials to bring to me the findings of that review. <BR /> <BR />The 20 mph limit is a good bit of the answer, but, like the Member, I agree that there are many initiatives in schools, such as the cycling proficiency scheme, the Active School Travel programme that my Department funds with the Public Health Agency (PHA) and that is rolled out by Sustrans, the learning resources that we apply in schools and the engagement with the PSNI that you reference. If we can bring all those things together, we can absolutely enhance the safety of children at school, and I think that we would all like to work towards that and to see it happen.”
“The trial is analysing the effectiveness of the signs and looking for a more economical way of introducing signage that would allow us to extend the roll-out. I am keen to see it. Members of the public want to see it, as do Members across the House. As soon as I assess the findings and take cognisance of my budget, I would be keen to see it rolled out to many more schools,”
“I am expecting receipt of the findings of the trials in the next month or so, and I fully intend to see what potential there is to build on the work already undertaken.”
“The targeted reduction of speed that traffic can travel at, particularly near schools, can go a long way to making our roads and communities safer; indeed, some of the key findings of the most recent Northern Ireland continuous household survey indicated that the majority of respondents — 53% — thought that a 20 mph speed limit should be more widely used, with 82% of respondents believing that a 20 mph speed limit should be applied outside schools and three quarters thinking that it should also be applied to an area where children play. <BR /> <BR />My Department is trialling an arrangement of signs that is intended to allow the introduction of more part-time 20 mph limits at schools. The trial has been under way since September 2018, and my officials are drafting a report on the findings of their review.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will address questions 1 and 11 together, as both relate to lower part-time speed limits outside schools. <BR /> <BR />As the Minister responsible for promoting and improving road safety, I want to work actively with partners to reduce death and serious injuries on our roads.”
“I have no doubt that the families of P J Bradley, Donovan McClelland, Seamus Close, Dr Ian Adamson, Pat O’Rawe, Rev Robert Coulter, Oliver Gibson and Wilson Clyde are all filled with immense pride at the contribution and legacy that they each made to making this place of ours that much better.”
“I have the privilege of working with Donovan's wife, Noreen, who is one of the North's most genuinely caring public representatives. Her support for him during peace talks and her work since has created a lasting legacy that they both share as pillars of our peace. Life in politics is never easy, not least for our family members, who, in many ways, have to share us with our constituents. It can be difficult for them as their husband, wife, father or mother work long hours; as we know, being an elected representative is not a nine-to-five job. At the same time, it is with great pride that they see their loved ones battling tirelessly and serving relentlessly their constituents as they strive to make life better for their own children and for all children across Northern Ireland.”
“I know how proud he was when Sinéad won his seat in South Down, and I have no doubt that, the moment the votes were tallied, he was already thinking about the next campaign. Their contribution to our party, to South Down and to Ireland has been immense. <BR /> <BR />I also reflect on the contribution Donovan McClelland made to peace and politics on this island. As an SDLP delegate to the Brooke-Mayhew talks and a participant in the Good Friday negotiations, Donovan was an important member of our negotiating team and a key part of that immense effort to get an agreement over the line in 1998. He then worked to sustain these institutions as Deputy Speaker, winning respect for his unfailing fairness to all Members. <BR /> <BR />It is impossible to reflect on Donovan's life without mentioning the lasting legacy of love he had for his family.”
“<BR /> <BR />I pay particular tribute to those SDLP voices that are no longer with us. If you were looking for inspiration on how to connect with your community and represent its interests, you would need look no further than P J Bradley. A fierce and compassionate advocate for Burren, Warrenpoint and Ballyholland, P J's loyalty was to the people of South Down before anyone else. That spoke to his values and his character. P J was a patriot in the truest sense of the word, working quietly without fanfare to bring our communities together and build a resilient peace. He was a trailblazer in initiating the campaign for Narrow Water bridge, a campaign his daughter Sinéad has taken up with the same vigour.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, for creating the space for us today to reflect on the contributions of former Members who passed away over the past three years. <BR /> <BR />On behalf of the SDLP, I express my sincere condolences to the families of all those who served their communities here and to the current Members who served with them in difficult times. While we often disagree in this Assembly, it is fair to say that, more often than not, political battles rarely infect the personal relationships that have been built across our parties and communities. The strength of this place should be our ability to respectfully differ but to never stop working together in the substantial common interests of those we represent. That is the thread that connects the contributions of all those across all parties we are remembering today.”
“I very much believe that if we are to demonstrate to people that having an Assembly and Executive makes a big difference in their lives, one of the ways in which to do that is to address quickly the street-lighting issue and to fix potholes in the roads. They may not be the most transformative projects in the world, but they are really important to people. <BR /> <BR />I have a bilateral meeting with Minister Murphy tomorrow. I will be making those points to him, because it is not just in my interest as the Minister who is responsible but in the Executive's interest to do much more to switch our lights back on.”
“The Member touches on a very important issue. The reality is that it takes £3·5 million per annum to carry out a full street-lighting repair system. The current budget allocated is £1 million. We have 12,000 streets lights out right across Northern Ireland. Before the severe budgetary situation was imposed on the Department, there was an internal team and external contractors. The external contractors had to be let go. The truth is that we are operating with a team of five full-time and three part-time workers, who are servicing all the street lights across Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />It is a situation of grave importance.”
“I recognise the merits of the project. It sits very well with my priorities on connecting people, encouraging people to be active and sustainable transport. For all those reasons, I see its merits. I need to work within the city deal funding. I want to do what I can. I look forward to being down in Strabane to see some of the designs for myself and to meet the Member and others to hear about the importance of the project.”
“I thank the Member for his kind words. I appreciate them very much. <BR /> <BR />I understand his interest in the issue. A number of Members for West Tyrone have written to me about the footbridge. I can confirm that my officials are actively engaging with Derry City and Strabane District Council to develop further the concept and design for the footbridge. As I said, I know that the matter is very important to a number of MLAs and to the people of Strabane, and I want to do what I can to progress the situation, but it has to be part of the city deal package. Therefore, at present, until the heads of terms for the city deal have been finalised, it is not possible for me to give any more definitive information on it.”
“I do not know whether I have the figures here, but I can follow up in writing with them. My understanding is that the current budget is maybe £5 million to £7 million to grit 28% of the road network. That covers 80% of the traffic. If I were to move to, say, 100%, you are talking about £10 million. Those are the figures that I have. I will double-check and follow up in writing.”
“<BR /> <BR />I would like to do more, and that is probably going to be a mantra, but there are budget constraints. We can look at things on an individual basis as well. Some Members mentioned to me the issue of funerals in rural areas, and there is stuff that we can do with councils on gritting work. It is an area that I am aware of. I do recognise the importance of it, and, again, I want to do as much as I can, but I operate within a very restricted budget.”
“The winter gritting service is critically important, and, again, I pay tribute to the staff who are involved in that and who are working through the night to keep us all safe. <BR /> <BR />I am going to sound like a broken record here, but it is because I am being honest. The winter service budget is another area that is under severe pressure. We are reliant on in-year monitoring bids, and that is not sustainable going forward. If I am quoting correctly from the figures, 28% of the road network is gritted, which covers about 80% of the traffic. Yes, I would like to do more, particularly around rural schools, but again it comes back to that issue of budget. If we were to increase the network that we were gritting, we could see a doubling of the budget that is required to do that.”
“There are many things that I would really like to do that I think are worth doing and which we should be investing in, but I have to always assess the priorities. <BR /> <BR />There are flagship Executive projects that I am committed to, there are commitments in New Decade, New Approach, and then there are my priorities on top of that, I assure the Member that maximising public transport, getting people out of cars and on foot and onto bikes and getting them to use public transport, be it bus or rail, is really important to me. I want to do as much as I can within those constraints.”
“I can certainly see the merits in the case for an additional train halt. North Belfast is one of the places that is very much disconnected, and I think that we could be doing so much more to connect it with public transport, not least with rail. I have been in meetings with North Belfast Members, and I know of their passion for the place and share it. <BR /> <BR />There is a case to be made for Yorkgate station, where a lot of work could be done. There is a case to be made for transport-led regeneration in areas like North Belfast, South Belfast and a whole range of constituencies. It is something that I want to consider, but I have to be realistic as well. I have inherited a severely frustrating budget.”
“<BR /> <BR />No decision has yet been made on the north Belfast route, and I understand that we will have different views across the constituency. I am keen to learn from the Glider experience in phase 1, so I think that it is very important that, when we have the feasibility and options appraisal around the preferred routes, I do take time out to consult with people across north Belfast to make sure that we are making the best decision that can benefit the maximum number of people in north Belfast.”
“The Glider service was launched in September 2018, and the Gliders produce 30% less emissions than the buses that they replaced. It is proving to be extremely popular, with 45,000 additional passenger journeys, and I want to build on this success. The north-to-south Belfast Glider route is one of the projects identified for inclusion in the Belfast region city deal. The next stages will require close working across all Departments and with the other Belfast region city deal partners to try to find agreement on funding on which projects are most capable of being delivered, but, to that end, my officials are also working closely with the councils and with other partners to take forward a feasibility and options appraisal, which will help in identifying route options. This work should be completed by the end of the year.”
“I have been advised that culvert inlet grills were cleared and gullies were maintained as part of my Department's proactive preparatory work ahead of Storm Ciara and that that did, indeed, reduce the risk of flooding in many locations across Northern Ireland. However, I recognise the concerns the Member raised about her constituency, and I will ask officials to get in touch with her to assess the situation.”
“<BR /> <BR />This week, weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office for wind and snow until the middle of the week, with a few centimetres of snow forecast for ground around or above 150 m. Any snow accumulations over lower ground are likely to be temporary. However, icy surfaces will be an additional hazard.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The worst of the heavy rainfall associated with the storm fell across the west. Critical information on potential impacts as a result of the rainfall was shared with key partner organisations to raise awareness, and my Department played a key role in establishing the effective multi-agency emergency response to the storm. <BR /> <BR />My Department also placed staff on standby, opened control centres and maintained a presence at key known vulnerable locations that were considered to be at risk to enable a prompt emergency response, which, ultimately, involved the deployment of over 2,000 sandbags. The effort by staff was huge, and I put on record my thanks and appreciation to them, because they have worked tirelessly to keep us all safe.”
“— to meet residents and to discuss that very issue, and I will be very happy to do so.”
“Yes, I am very mindful that the fact that we did not have an Assembly or Executive for three years, means that we are behind on a number of things. I want to be able to expeditiously look at things, but I will also look to the Member and other Members to help me engage with local communities, because these schemes can and will work only if they are done with the consent of the community. I look forward to, no doubt, getting letters from the Member inviting me out —”
“The Member raises a very important issue. The very first residents' parking scheme, as I understand it, was in the Rugby Road area of Belfast. That is being evaluated. I know there are requests for residents' parking schemes in a number of places. I want to get the assessment of the Rugby Road one. I want to understand what works and what does not so that we are applying best practice and learning as we try to roll the schemes out into other areas if that is what communities wish.”
“I want to understand what happened, who knew what and when, and what action was taken. A key part of that will be the contract that was involved for the inspections. The second review is via the appointment of independent engineers, whom I have asked to provide me with independent expert advice about the steps that I need to put in place to get our MOT centres fully and safely operable as quickly as possible.”
“It is just not possible to issue four-year-old vehicles with a temporary exemption certificate. I am as frustrated as, I am sure, the Member is about that. The measures that I have put in place are to prioritise the MOT testing of four-year-old vehicles with individual customers and car dealerships. We have utilised heavy-duty lanes for priority vehicles. We are looking at extended opening on Sundays, again to prioritise four-year-old vehicles. We are trying to do what we can. <BR /> <BR />I am concerned that we got to a point where cracks were noticed for the first time in November past and we have escalated so quickly to the situation that we now find ourselves in. That is why the measures that I have put in place to address the situation include two reviews. One review is by auditors and is independent of my Department.”
“As for parity with the South, if we are talking about partial MOT testing, that is not possible. It was one of the options that I explored, but it was not possible given the legislation here. I would not have been able to extend the temporary exemption certificates, which would not have allowed people to tax their vehicle and keep it on the road. The issuing of temporary exemption certificates was the right decision for us. <BR /> <BR />The Member will be aware that I am considering all the options, one if which is a move from once-a-year tests for four-year-old cars to 10-year-old cars to tests every two years. I want to explore every single option to try to resolve the situation and get us to a better place.”
“My approach to issuing certificates of temporary exemption is a measured one that minimises disruption to customers, provides capacity to test priority vehicles and allows the space to put in place sustainable measures to restore a full, safe vehicle testing service. I am committed to doing that, but I must ensure the health and safety of staff and road users.”
“I am determined to explore all options to minimise the disruption to customers, but the safety of staff and customers will continue to be my top priority. <BR /> <BR />The roadworthiness test is part of a wider regime designed to ensure that vehicles are kept in a safe and environmentally acceptable condition during their use. In Northern Ireland, we have no powers to omit the underbody inspection of a vehicle test, which is what is happening in the South, but I have powers under the Road Traffic Order to issue temporary exemption certificates for the whole test, which I moved quickly to do. That also allows drivers to tax their vehicle and stay on the road.”
“The current situation is not acceptable, and I have instructed the DVA to work urgently to get a safe, sustainable and trusted service up and running as soon and as safely as possible. Testing on heavy goods vehicles and buses is continuing. Heavy-duty lanes are also being used, and MOT centre opening hours are being extended to prioritise taxis and four-year-old cars for private customers and dealerships. All other customers, except those with taxis or four-year-old cars, are being automatically issued with an MOT exemption certificate, which they can use to tax their vehicle and thereby continue to drive. Two new lifts have been installed to provide additional capacity, and three existing lifts have also been independently inspected and cleared for use.”
“I am looking forward to learning more and doing what I can to assist them.”
“Yes, I was at the launch of the three hydrogen buses at Translink. A number of Committee members were there. It is really exciting. It is the first in Ireland, and, once again, Northern Ireland is leading the way. I would like to see us do more of that; it is just amazing that we have buses and their only emission is water. We need to get more of that, and I am delighted that they could be on the road later this year. <BR /> <BR />The hydrogen ferry in Rathlin is not currently being considered, but I am very aware of the great efforts of the community there to make Rathlin a zero-carbon economy. I want to be able to play my part in that. I look forward to chairing the ministerial forum, and I really look forward to getting to Rathlin myself to meet people and to hear about their exciting plans, be it for a wind turbine or for the ferry.”
“While we cannot draw that funding down directly, I have asked officials to work with others to support applications, and we will continue to work with the Office for Low Emission Vehicles to see if we can maximise the opportunities around that. <BR /> <BR />I have also had a conversation with the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Minister Poots, and he is keen to work with me, as I am with him, because we both recognise that it is an important step forward in at least tackling the climate emergency.”
“I absolutely agree with the Member. I am finding out at the coalface, given that I have an e-car, about the limited amount of infrastructure that there is. If we are serious about encouraging people to use low-emission or zero-carbon-emission vehicles, we have to absolutely address the infrastructure. She is right: the 337 charging points are just not enough. <BR /> <BR />The Utility Regulator is looking at a report that should be helpful in trying to open up the network, and I will be taking guidance from that. I am also aware that the Department for Transport very recently announced that it will be doubling the funding available for on-street charging, which is really helpful for people who do not have access to a garage or a driveway.”
“Yes, I am excited to be in the e-car, and I jumped on the e-bike as well. I would recommend the e-bike to everybody. It is a really good experience. <BR /> <BR />The Member is aware that I have set out an ambitious vision for a low-carbon future and one of my key challenges is to increase sustainable travel options for people, including rail, walking and cycling. If more people choose to turn to greener transport options, it will not only help to address climate change but make a positive contribution to general health and well-being. Over the coming weeks, I want to carefully consider how best to deliver on my active and sustainable travel ambitions. Once the Budget process provides clarity on the resources available, I will be able to firm up my objectives, and I look forward to discussing and debating them on the Floor of the House.”
“Collectively, we cannot just be ambitious; we can deliver lasting change for our communities, now and for years to come.”
“So, it is vital that we work in partnership, harnessing the collective resources of our public and private sectors and civil society to deliver innovative solutions that benefit everyone. <BR /> <BR />I hope that Executive colleagues and Assembly Members recognise my Department's important role in improving lives, tackling health inequalities and protecting our environment. I look forward to us all working together, recognising that investment in infrastructure is not an end in itself. It is about people and place. It is about unlocking our economic potential, protecting our valuable environment to transform and connect lives, and improving health and well-being for all our communities across Northern Ireland. While this is a huge task, I can assure the Member that I am ambitious.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Tackling the climate emergency is the single biggest global challenge that we face. As Infrastructure Minister, I am focused on delivering clean public transport and active travel options to build connectivity, reduce emissions and promote health and well-being for all. Poor air quality poses a major risk to public health. Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, that affect the quality of our lives and life expectancy. <BR /> <BR />Given the impact of transport on greenhouse gas emissions and air quality, reducing congestion and decarbonising public transport must be a priority. However, we need to achieve this at a time when our public finances are constrained.”
“I understand that there are issues around the 10B permit that continue to generate interest and concern among stakeholders. I have already had some correspondence from Members and others on that issue. <BR /> <BR />In December 2019, the High Court in London provided an important judgment — I am sure that the Member is well aware of this — on what activities can be defined as "non-commercial". The ruling did not provide a definition of "non-commercial", but it outlined a set of principles. My officials continue to work through that to determine the implications for Northern Ireland of that recent High Court judgement with a view to developing guidance on the matter. I realise the impact that it is having. I would like us to move to a position where we get clarity on the guidance, hopefully in a very helpful and timely manner.”
“I firmly believe that single-year budgets create a lot of pressure right across the system. They do not allow us to properly plan. They do not give certainty to people who are put on protective notice while doing vital work. I welcome the commitment in New Decade, New Approach to move to a multi-year budget, which will assist this very much. As regards the situation facing me, I do not yet know what budget I will have for the incoming year. I want to use that money to give as much certainty to people as possible, while making sure that we use it in a transformative way.”
“For me, it is particularly about going into those communities that are not able to access public transport and the other modes of transport that many of us do have access to.”
“Community transport provides a vital service. Services have been operating under constraints, because we have seen budget restrictions imposed as a result of budget cuts to my Department. The assisted rural transport scheme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. I administer it. I want to continue to do that, and I think that there is scope to do so, but there is a conversation to be had with a number of Executive colleagues. I have just said that about a quarter of the trips are for health appointments, so I want to have a creative and collaborative conversation with the Minister of Health. <BR /> <BR />The truth is that all our budgets are facing challenges. We need to be smarter in how we are delivering services.”
“I assure the Member that I absolutely recognise the importance of community transport in reaching out to and connecting some of our most vulnerable citizens. It also allows them to access services and tackle the social isolation that you spoke about. <BR /> <BR />The reality, however, is that I have inherited severe budgetary constraints, within which I have to operate. What I am doing in these initial weeks is assessing the priorities in my budget for flagship project commitments and the commitments in New Decade, New Approach, as well as my own priorities. <BR /> <BR />I assure the Member that, for me, community transport is a very important service, and I think that the answer lies in collaborative working across a number of Departments and with councils.”
“We need to ensure that we continue to support vulnerable people so that they can access the opportunities that many of us take for granted.”
“I completely agree with the Member. He makes an important point: if we are to achieve our ambitions of delivering a sustainable community, we need to work together. <BR /> <BR />Community transport is an issue not just for my Department. For many, it is an issue of health and well-being and an important means of preventing social isolation. It is a lifeline service that enables some of the most vulnerable groups and communities in society to access basic opportunities. The fact that health-related trips account for one quarter of all community transport journeys illustrates that clearly. <BR /> <BR />I am keen to work with Executive colleagues to deliver collaborative programmes, such as the assisted rural travel scheme, on which I work alongside the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.”