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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“It is a five-party agreement, and I expect any future Minister to continue to work with the Irish Government, who are committed to funding the project, to ensure that we can see it finally delivered.”
“I say, "Happy St Brigid's Day" to Sinéad Bradley as well. <BR /> <BR />I will deal with active travel first. My officials have been working on that because we want to make sure that we maximise the potential for the area. As well as maximising the tourism potential, we are making sure that we have good active travel opportunities for people. Not only is that good for the local economy and tourism; it is good for people's health and well-being. <BR /> <BR />In respect of the plans of a future Minister, I assure the Member and the House that we have been working to advance all the stages required as quickly as possible. Narrow Water bridge is an NDNA commitment.”
“My officials are working closely with Louth County Council to complete the processes required to move to the tender stage as quickly as possible. I assure the Member that I am determined that we work at pace, so that this long-awaited, much-needed project moves from concept to reality as quickly as possible for the people of south Down. Subject to completing the necessary development and statutory processes, construction on the bridge could commence next year.”
“As a keen campaigner on the issue, the Member will know that the Narrow Water bridge project is a ministerial priority for me as well as a key commitment in 'New Decade, New Approach' (NDNA). I am pleased that I have been able to make progress, and, working with the Irish Government, funding has been secured. Working with partners and stakeholders, we are keen to see and are progressing on the delivery of this very important bridge. The bridge will be an iconic landmark that will increase connectivity and maximise the tourism potential of the cross-border region. <BR /> <BR />On 29 June 2021, the Irish Government announced €3 million in funding from the Shared Island Fund to allow Louth County Council to advance the project to tender stage on the basis of the 2012 design proposals.”
“The Member will know that, along with Minister Eamon Ryan, I launched the all-island strategic rail review, the purpose of which is to look at existing rail connectivity to see where it can be improved in areas where it is not present. It will also look at rail connectivity to our international gateways — our ports and airports — and the role of rail in the transportation of freight. Certainly, if that issue has been raised during the consultation process, it will be given due consideration. As Minister, I am keen that we do everything that we can to maximise rail connectivity and to make sure that it is convenient for passengers across Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Ballykelly is one of the three locations that have been identified in the feasibility study for a new halt. Work is ongoing, and I hope to be in receipt of a report later this year and then to move to construction at the earliest opportunity, pending all the statutory processes being completed and the funding available.”
“As the Member will know, I invested £66 million in the purchase of 21 new train carriages. That was to ensure that we will have longer trains, facilitating passengers across our key routes. Derry is rightly identified as one of those, and the intention is that the new carriages will come into operation in the spring of this year.”
“In June 2020, I announced that the new feasibility study was required to get phase 3 of the Coleraine to Derry rail line back on track. I ring-fenced the required funding for that work to be done at pace. As I said, the feasibility study is now complete, and it has outlined options for the redevelopment of that much-needed railway line. Those options will be taken forward and will be considered in a robust business case, which will ensure that all future spend is fully informed and that there are high-level assurances on the costs. The business case will be completed early this year, and I have instructed my officials to ensure that construction begins thereafter at the earliest opportunity.”
“The study will also examine the possibility of introducing half-hourly services from Derry, and I am pressing my team to finalise that as quickly as possible so that we can move forward. <BR /> <BR />While the departmental budget for future years has not yet been agreed, I have outlined the significant investment needed over multiple years to enhance our rail connectivity and our public transport network as a whole. I assure the Member that I will continue to seek funding for our public transport network with my Executive colleagues, building on the momentum that the new award-winning north-west transport hub has created, to outline the clear role of public transport in helping to address the climate emergency and helping the Executive to deliver on its other key priorities, including health, education and the economy.”
“Since coming into office, I have made my commitment to rail connectivity across this island a priority. I recognised the lack of investment west of the Bann and particularly how rail connectivity needed to be developed into the north-west. That is why I commissioned a new feasibility study to get phase 3 of the Derry to Coleraine rail line back on track. I am pleased to confirm that the study is now complete and a business case is being produced so that that important project for the people of Derry and beyond can be progressed. I have also commissioned further studies to examine options for new halts and associated park-and-ride facilities at Strathfoyle, Eglinton, City of Derry Airport and Ballykelly.”
“I wonder how many hours in the day I will have to agree to them all. On a serious note, I am happy to consider representations, so, if the Member wishes to write to me in the first instance, I will certainly give consideration to the matter.”
“I am conscious that multiple meeting requests have been made, and this is only the first oral question.”
“I thank the Member for her question. As she will be aware, the public consultation exercise for north Belfast is on two possible routes: Antrim Road and Shore Road. The important issue of the extension of the route to Glengormley has also been raised. As in the case of the Member for South Belfast, I am happy to meet elected representatives and local businesses where there are emerging new or additional issues that they have not already raised with my officials.”
“I thank the Member for her question. If the issue was raised during the public consultation process, it will be considered by my officials.”
“The routes brought forward for public consultation were developed in collaboration with expert transport consultants and were considered to offer the optimal options for extension of the rapid transit network. The suggestions that the routes be extended beyond the proposed end points, both in south Belfast and to Glengormley in north Belfast, were made during the public consultation exercise. I have asked the consultants to consider those matters further.”
“I have, on every occasion on which my officials have engaged with the Ormeau Road businesses, received feedback on the issues and concerns that have been raised. My officials have committed to meeting again with the businesses along the road to discuss their concerns and any mitigations, if that proves to be the preferred route. I am happy to meet the Ormeau Road businesses if there is additional information or there are issues that they have not raised thus far with my officials.”
“All those meetings included representatives from Ormeau Road businesses. <BR /> <BR />Following the identification of a preferred route, further engagement with businesses and residents will be carried out throughout the detailed design process with a view to mitigating any detrimental impacts identified.”
“As the House will be aware, I launched a public consultation on 26 July that closed on 4 October, the purpose of which was to seek the views of the public, businesses and elected representatives on a number of potential routes for Belfast Rapid Transit phase 2 (BRT2). I am pleased that the consultation attracted a significant response, and my officials are considering the feedback received. <BR /> <BR />As part of the public consultation process, my officials met a wide range of stakeholders virtually and in person. Specifically in relation to Ormeau Road businesses, my officials have engaged on a number of occasions, including meetings organised by the Ormeau Road Traders' Association on Friday 1 October 2021, the Federation of Small Businesses on Friday 12 November 2021 and Retail NI on Thursday 20 January 2022.”
“It is on their behalf that I say, "Thank you, Mrs McCann. Thank you for everything that you have done". As St Dominic's enters a new chapter under the leadership of Mrs O'Neill, I, like many other past pupils, will continue to watch with great pride as the school flourishes.”
“As well as building strong links across the community with other schools, particularly through the Politics in Action project, Mrs McCann actively encouraged the girls to get involved in social action projects locally and internationally, teaching that important Dominican value to give back and bring about positive change in society. <BR /> <BR />Carol McCann leads by example. All those who worked alongside her say that she has been an inspirational leader on a daily basis, demonstrating the core values of St Dominic's — truth and compassion — to students and staff. Over the past 14 years, she has inspired and transformed the lives of thousands of girls and young women. I have no doubt that, when those girls reflect on their time at St Dominic's, they will be grateful that they had Carol as their principal.”
“It was awarded the 'Sunday Times' Northern Ireland school of the year on two occasions. That award recognises not only academic achievement but the wider engagement by the school with students, parents, staff and external bodies to create an outstanding learning experience for all. <BR /> <BR />Mrs McCann also ensured that there was a wider range of extracurricular activities in the school so that there was something there for every girl, all with a strong focus on bringing out the best in the girls, instilling greater confidence and self-belief.”
“I know that I speak for all of us when I say that we are indebted to all the staff across our nursery, primary and post-primary schools for always going over and beyond the call of duty, particularly during the pandemic. I pay tribute today to one lady in particular, a lady of great character, composure, commitment and compassion: Mrs Carol McCann, who, as a former pupil, came back to St Dominic's, and, for 14 years, was its principal. She has just retired. Over those 14 years, under her leadership, St Dominic's has gone on a transformative journey. It is not possible to list all her achievements in the time permitted, but I intend to highlight a few. <BR /> <BR />Under Mrs McCann's leadership, St Dominic's achieved specialist school status in English and drama. It regularly achieved being in the top three performing schools in the North.”
“Therefore, it would not result in any change to its current classification. <BR /> <BR />As I have said, the Executive's position is that we should not introduce water charges for domestic customers. The order reflects that and reinforces that commitment. I ask the House to support the order.”
“<BR /> <BR />I want to address Mr Muir's point about the hypothecation of a water charge in the domestic rates. It is not the case that Northern Ireland Water's borrowing ability could be increased and mutual status achieved by the simple means of hypothecating a line in the domestic rates Bill. Rates are a tax on the occupation of a property; not a charge for the delivery of a service. In many cases, landlords take responsibility for the payment of rates, and it is the property owner, not the water user, who pays them. In addition, the amount of rates to be paid is based on the value of the property; it is not linked in any way to the use made of any public service by the ratepayer. That being the case, the hypothecation of an element of the domestic rate would not represent charging for water and sewerage services.”
“It is important to point out that my Department has worked closely with Northern Ireland Water, the Department of Finance and the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) to explore alternative funding models and options that may be permissible under the current governance and water charging policy. It is very important to point out that all reclassification, whether public, corporation, mutual or private, will require the introduction of water charges in some shape or form. Certainly, the SDLP's position, which is also the current position of the Executive, is that we are against the imposition of water charges on domestic customers. Given the rising cost of living that is being faced by so many families across Northern Ireland, that position is particularly right.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members also identified the fact that Northern Ireland Water, as the largest consumer of electricity, has faced huge financial pressures, to the tune of £18 million of inescapable rising energy costs. As a result of internal reallocations, funding from within my Department, savings made by Northern Ireland Water and an allocation from the Executive prior to and subsequent to January monitoring, I am relieved that that funding pressure has been met. It remains, however, an issue of serious concern, and we continue to keep the matter under review. Again, all of that identifies the need to have sustained levels of funding over multiple years going forward. In that way, we can ensure that we have a fit-for-purpose, modern water and waste water network. <BR /> <BR />Very briefly, I will address the issue around funding models.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members will know that the delivery of water and sewerage services is a collective responsibility of the Executive. It is a key commitment in New Decade, New Approach and a key Programme for Government (PFG) outcome, and it is central to the ambitions in the many areas that we seek to deliver on for citizens, including the services on which they rely to thrive. For the 2021-22 financial year, my Department allocated Northern Ireland Water £136·6 million in resource DEL and £221 million in capital DEL. This is the first time in a long time that Northern Ireland Water has started the year with a full funding settlement. The lack of in-year budget flexibility has, however, exposed the continuing constraints on funding water and sewerage services through public expenditure.”
“If Northern Ireland Water is fully funded for PC21, it plans to remove 49 of those areas from constraints. There are several key projects in Northern Ireland Water's PC21 waste water treatment upgrade programme, including works to waste water treatment plants in Belfast, Kinnegar, Greenisland and Newry. Given the increasing pressure on the waste water and sewer network, however, Northern Ireland Water has identified a further 30 economically constrained areas that may emerge during the PC21 period. Therefore, if we are to recover from the historical underinvestment in water and sewerage services that has created the current capacity constraint in so many locations across Northern Ireland, the sustained and secured ongoing provision of investment over multiple price control periods will be required.”
“Thank you for your very kind letter, Mr Speaker. I thank all Members for their very kind wishes and for their comments on the motion. I will deal with a number of issues that Members raised during their contributions. <BR /> <BR />Mr Jim Allister queried whether the statutory rule had been made. I can confirm that the Grants to Water and Sewerage Undertakers Order 2017 was made on 24 January 2017 and came into operation on 1 April 2017. It is known as SR 2017/33. It is confirmed on the legislation.gov.uk website. <BR /> <BR />I will briefly mention capacity constraints. Mr Allister rightly identified the fact that there are around 100 areas across the North where we are operating near to or above intended design capacity either at the waste water treatment works or in the sewer network.”
“I stress the importance of the need for Northern Ireland Water to continue to be fully funded in future years in order to improve the water and waste water infrastructure here. Clearly, a lack of funding would see those critical services become suboptimal, risking public health, curtailing economic growth and putting our environment at risk of pollution <BR /> <BR />I commend the motion to the Assembly and ask that it approve the order.”
“<BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland Water is regulated by the Utility Regulator and operates according to its licence. The regulator sets prices through its price control processes, which ensure that Northern Ireland Water has the funding to maintain high-quality drinking water supplies and to deliver environmental and customer services at the lowest reasonable overall cost. <BR /> <BR />The Utility Regulator has determined that Northern Ireland Water will require investment of about £2 billion in water and waste water services over the six-year price control (PC) period from 2021 to 2027. Sustained and secure levels of investment by the Executive over multiple price control periods will be required. <BR /> <BR />This financial year is the first in many years in which Northern Ireland Water has been fully funded in line with the price control.”
“On 7 October 2021, the Executive agreed to the continuation of the policy of not implementing water charging for domestic use. To give effect to the Executive's decision to continue to bear the cost of water charges on behalf of domestic customers for the next five years, a new statutory rule is required. <BR /> <BR />I am therefore bringing forward the draft Grants to Water and Sewerage Undertakers Order (Northern Ireland) 2022, which proposes to extend the period during which a subsidy may be paid to Northern Ireland Water to 31 March 2027. The order is subject to the draft affirmative resolution procedure — the purpose of the debate today. The five-year extension to 31 March 2027 gives the next Executive time to consider how the future of our water and sewerage services should be funded.”
“The order that I am bringing forward today extends the power for my Department to pay a grant to Northern Ireland Water in lieu of domestic water charges. Members will be aware that it is the Executive's policy and, indeed, that of previous Executives that domestic consumers should not pay a separate charge for water and sewerage services. Such services are instead funded through a subsidy paid by my Department to the water and sewerage undertaker, which is Northern Ireland Water. <BR /> <BR />The subsidy is paid to Northern Ireland Water under article 213 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, as amended by the Water and Sewerage Services Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, which has an end date of 31 March 2022.”
“I assure Members of my commitment to work with them and to do everything that I can while I am the Minister for Infrastructure to ensure that this long-awaited project is delivered.”
“Road markings and signs have been upgraded along the A5 between Aughnacloy and Omagh, and the catseyes have been replaced. Further measures planned include a left-turn slip road at Bankmore Road near Omagh and upgrading the signal-controlled junction at the A5 Great Northern Road/Tamlaght Road. I am also aware of calls to provide specific lighting and to ensure that there are adequate road markings and catseyes. <BR /> <BR />I assure Members that, following the fatal road traffic collision last month, officials will meet the PSNI investigating officer to establish what further road-related measures we can bring forward. As Mr McCrossan said — this has been echoed by every Member across the House — the House divides on many, many issues, but, on the A5, the House is united.”
“Subject to the successful completion of all the necessary statutory processes and environmental assessments, the construction of phase 1A — New Buildings to north of Strabane — could commence next year. The programme for scheme delivery in recent years has alluded to full scheme completion by 2028, and, although some slippage has occurred, that time frame remains achievable. I have certainly said to my officials that that is the time frame to which we must work. <BR /> <BR />As well as being focused on the delivery of this long-awaited scheme, in the interim, I remain committed to carrying out road improvements on the existing A5. In recent years, resurfacing and realignment works, as well as improvements for pedestrians, have been carried out on the A5 at Ballymackilroy.”
“<BR /> <BR />Following receipt of the interim report from the Planning Appeals Commission on the public inquiry held during 2020, officials have been working hard on the development of a new environmental statement addendum for public consultation so that the public inquiry can be reconvened later this year as planned. Although I, as the Minister for Infrastructure, have no authority over when the public inquiry can be reconvened, my officials are already in discussion with the PAC on that point to try to ensure that it is heard at the earliest opportunity. Receipt of the PAC's final report on the inquiry should then allow a new ministerial decision to be taken.”
“None of us can change what went before, but, ultimately, the only way in which to achieve this goal successfully now is for the Department to work at pace whilst ensuring that it is able to navigate carefully and diligently through the technically and legally complex statutory processes involved. I assure Members that, since taking up my post two years ago, my decisions have always been made in the best interests of progressing the A5 as far as possible and within the shortest time frame, while ensuring that the Department and I, as Minister, follow due process and apply due diligence.”
“I want to assure every Member and the public that delivery of the A5 is a top priority for me, as the Minister for Infrastructure. <BR /> <BR />The A5 western transport corridor project is, as Members have rightly identified, a flagship project of the Northern Ireland Executive. It is also a commitment in New Decade, New Approach. It is a project that I acutely recognise will improve road safety and have many other benefits, such as improving the economy, job prospects and opportunities for our young people, while helping to tackle regional imbalance. Like all Members, I share the concerns and frustrations about the length of time that it has taken to have this hugely important infrastructure scheme taken forward to construction on the ground. <BR /> <BR />Work on the delivery of the A5 began 14 years ago, in 2007.”
“First of all, I thank Ms Brogan for instigating this important debate on road safety on the A5. Like all Members who have spoken, I offer my sincere condolences to the families of the four young men who lost their lives in December. My prayers are with the friend of the three young men who lost their lives on 27 December. That person remains in hospital. I also offer my deepest sympathies to the families of all those who have lost loved ones on that stretch of road. As a mother, I cannot imagine the unbearable pain and suffering that those families face every day. <BR /> <BR />I have listened intently to the comments and the issues raised by Members and have heard their sorrow and their concerns about road safety on the A5.”
“Across these islands, we need to get serious about the environment that has been created for women and the kind of society that we have created. I do not want my daughters or my son to grow up in that world. Equally, I do not want to stand here again and again mourning another woman who has been murdered. We have to act now to do all that we can to educate men in order to protect our daughters and sisters, and we have to do it now.”
“If a young girl cannot go for a jog in the middle of the day in an area surrounded by people, where can women feel safe? Too many policymakers just do not understand how oppressive this environment is for so many people. They do not understand what it is like to be afraid when walking home in the evening or to be worried about who is around you when you are alone in a public place. That is not the kind of society that I want for my children. <BR /> <BR />We must move away from expecting women to carry rape alarms or take self-defence classes and from putting the burden and responsibility for our being safe on us. We need to take the plague of violence against women seriously and eradicate it. It is scandalous that the only female-only homeless hostel in Belfast is under the threat of closure.”
“In the modern world, the fact that women are not safe is terrifying. As political leaders across these islands, we must band together to end this violence. As a mother, my heart breaks for Ashling Murphy's family. She had her whole life ahead of her: a new graduate with so many talents, a great love of music and so much to offer her friends, family and community. Ashling was robbed of that opportunity, and our society has been robbed of the positive contribution that, no doubt, she would have continued to make. <BR /> <BR />What makes the murder so frightening is the casual violence that took place in broad daylight in an area that was busy with people who were out for exercise. It could have happened to any woman, so it represents an attack on every woman.”
“After the brutal murder of Caoimhe Morgan in north Belfast and the brutal murders of all the women whose names we have just heard, we are gathered here today because another young woman, Ashling Murphy, has been murdered.”
“I am keen to work with the council to advance that project. There are multiple benefits to be had from it. <BR /> <BR />I will draw my remarks to a close. Given that the consultation has just closed, I am very much in listening mode. The next steps will be our consideration of all the responses received and, after that, the publication of a public consultation report containing details of the deliberations and responses to the suggestions received. I look forward to working with the elected representatives of North Belfast and South Belfast as we work together to advance the project. <BR /> <BR />I join Clare Bailey in wishing all Members, Assembly staff and the staff in my Department a very happy and, hopefully, peaceful Christmas.”
“I take the points that were made by Mr O'Toole, Ms Hargey, I think, and, certainly, Ms Bradshaw about the Carryduff element. I acknowledge that it is a growing and expanding neighbourhood. It is the same for Glengormley. One of the lessons that we learned from BRT1 was about the importance of weighting the non-monetary benefits of a scheme, such as access to opportunity and looking at issues around deprivation. We will give careful consideration to those things. Ms Bradshaw made the point about the Carryduff greenway. The Member will know that I have rolled on the blue-green fund for a second year. That is a capital fund. However, I am keen to work with councils. We are investing in greenways again this year.”
“<BR /> <BR />I agree strongly with the point that was made by Ms Hargey and a number of Members about seeing this as part of a catalyst for regeneration. This is about improving the active and sustainable travel options for communities in north and south Belfast and about connecting the wider city. It is also about ensuring that it is complemented by public realm schemes. I am conscious of A Bolder Vision for Belfast, which the Department for Communities, the Department for Infrastructure and Belfast City Council are working on. Councils have their local development plans. There are a lot of opportunities to take a more strategic and cohesive approach to all that. We should be excited by that. <BR /> <BR />I will touch on one or two points that Members raised.”
“That is why I agree with Members about the need for consultation and working with local communities as we shape their communities and the opportunities that are before them. <BR /> <BR />I want to address the important point that Mr Stalford made about recognising that it is not just about the Glider. When we are identifying preferred routes, we also want to look at what we can do to enhance the public transport offering in areas. We will look at it in a much wider field and see whether we should give consideration to feeder services. I assure Members that we are not just looking at having a single Glider route and forgetting about everyone else who lives in the north and south of our city.”
“Mr Stalford and Mr Kelly raised that issue. I want to give you that reassurance. From our experience of BRT1 it was clear that good communication and engagement were vital, as Ms Bailey highlighted. Officials are open to meeting elected representatives, local businesses and residents and, indeed, have done so as part of the consultation process. We also recognise the importance of working with local businesses and residents to ensure that we look at the mitigations that can be put in place to address concerns and reduce the disruption. Ms Bailey captured the tensions that exist in trying to do that. I can understand her frustrations around the lack of a radical approach to transforming public transport. She also rightly identified the need to take communities with us.”
“I assure Members that I am listening, and a final route has yet to be determined. I am aware of the case that is being made for extending BRT2 into Glengormley in north Belfast and for the extension into Carryduff as part of the southern route. I am also conscious of the cases that are being made for the Shore Road in north Belfast and the Antrim Road, as Mr Kelly highlighted, and of Mr Stalford's views. I reassure Members that I am happy to consider those matters further, and I will be informed by the comments and views of local residents, businesses and elected representatives in North Belfast and South Belfast as final consideration is given to the BRT2 routes and, of course, its design. <BR /> <BR />I also reassure Members that we have carefully considered the lessons to be learned from the roll-out of BRT1.”