Rosemary Barton
Fermanagh and South Tyrone · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Unfortunately, I see nothing about women in agriculture in your statement. You talked about succession, for example. Will there be extra support to allow women to succeed to the family farm? Many women have caring responsibilities.”
“My question leads on from Mr McGlone's. You talked about responsibility for the environment, but everybody has to take responsibility for their local environment, and that is the aspect at which I want to look. What conversations have you had with councils about how they will be able to help you meet the strategy's challenges?”
“Thank you, Minister, for that comprehensive answer. Those investments are all very fine and are very welcome in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. We still have a communication problem owing to the mobile network coverage, however. Can you think of any way in which to put further investment into Fermanagh to try to alleviate that problem?”
“When there is an issue involving devolved matters, it is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly to legislate on those matters. The UK Parliament retains the power to legislate on them, however.”
“<BR /> <BR />A number of strengthening arrangements therefore needed to be considered. There must be an assurance that the Assembly is made aware in a timely manner of those Westminster Bills that require an LCM. There needs to be improved communication from Ministers to the Assembly if normal timescales cannot be met.”
“The amendment that we are debating is to Standing Order 3, and it covers what happens in the event that a Member cannot attend, whether through illness or for another reason, the first meeting of the Assembly following a dissolution. That Member, therefore, would not be able to declare his or her political designation.”
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“My question leads on from Mr McGlone's. You talked about responsibility for the environment, but everybody has to take responsibility for their local environment, and that is the aspect at which I want to look. What conversations have you had with councils about how they will be able to help you meet the strategy's challenges?”
“Thank you for your statement, Minister. In paragraph 17, you say:”
“Unfortunately, I see nothing about women in agriculture in your statement. You talked about succession, for example. Will there be extra support to allow women to succeed to the family farm? Many women have caring responsibilities. If women succeed to a family farm, many are prevented from carrying out some duties, such as the lambing of sheep, due to pregnancy. Have you thought about supporting those people?”
“Minister, thank you for your statement. You will be aware that the AERA Committee recently launched a report on the challenges in agriculture for women.”
“Thank you, Minister, for that comprehensive answer. Those investments are all very fine and are very welcome in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. We still have a communication problem owing to the mobile network coverage, however. Can you think of any way in which to put further investment into Fermanagh to try to alleviate that problem?”
“Minister, it has been brought to my attention that Omagh custody suite — it is a modern police station and suite — is to be refurbished. Can you comment on that?”
“Minister, you spoke about the two pilots that you hope to introduce. Can you give us a bit more detail about what they will entail?”
“Minister, are you confirming that you have not been asked to scope out likely resource for capital DEL or DAERA requirements relating to the target of net zero by 2050?”
“I welcome the news today. It is especially good to see St Ciaran's in Ballygawley on the list. I do not see Enniskillen Royal Grammar School on the list. Will you give me an update on the progress with that, please?”
“There must be greater adherence to timeliness when it comes to the laying of a legislative consent memorandum. It should be laid within at least 10 working days in normal circumstances. In exceptional circumstances, where it is not possible to lay a memorandum within 10 working days, reasons need to be given. Greater flexibility is needed with timescales in order for Committees to consider memorandums. Standing Order 42A should be amended to include a planned timescale. <BR /> <BR />Finally, in the interests of improved transparency, Bills that require LCMs should have the Assembly introduce enhanced recording, reporting and publishing arrangements. I commend the report to the House.”
“<BR /> <BR />A number of strengthening arrangements therefore needed to be considered. There must be an assurance that the Assembly is made aware in a timely manner of those Westminster Bills that require an LCM. There needs to be improved communication from Ministers to the Assembly if normal timescales cannot be met. There also needs to be additional time built in to enable Committees to be permitted to carry out the necessary scrutiny before reporting to the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />Although Standing Order 42A has worked for a number of years, given the concerns expressed, there now appear to be reasons for amendments to be made to the practice and management of LCMs that would enhance the ability of the Assembly to carry out a scrutiny role.”
“When there is an issue involving devolved matters, it is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly to legislate on those matters. The UK Parliament retains the power to legislate on them, however. Generally, if the UK Parliament wants to legislate on a devolved matter, it will not do so without a legislative consent motion's having been passed in the Northern Ireland Assembly. <BR /> <BR />The appropriate Executive Minister has a duty to inform the Assembly of any UK Government Bill being introduced and either seeks the Assembly's agreement or explains why an LCM is not sought. Although the general principles of an LCM were found to be acceptable and robust, there are times that the legislation dealing with devolved matters has passed through Westminster without the Assembly's being informed.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Procedures Committee did not recommend that it was necessary for the Bill sponsor to be invited to the respective Committee. That should remain at the discretion of the Speaker. The appropriate Committee will continue to gather evidence through an appropriate method of collection from the sponsors and stakeholders. <BR /> <BR />I support the motion and recommend the report.”
“<BR /> <BR />To prevent a repeat of what is happening at the moment with Bills and having a backlog at the end of a mandate, it was recommended that a final deadline for a PMB to be introduced to the Assembly should be set through Standing Orders and should be for the June of the penultimate session of the mandate. <BR /> <BR />As Members will be aware, privately drafted legislation does not have to undergo a mandatory public consultation and to have its objectives communicated to the relevant Department before they are submitted to the Speaker. The Committee, however, recommended that there be a mandatory public consultation, along with the submission of objectives to the Department and the Speaker.”
“Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak on the report 'Inquiry into Private Members' Bills'. First, I thank all those who took part in the review and very honestly expressed their good experiences and those that were more frustrating for them. <BR /> <BR />It was firmly agreed that it was the right of individuals in this legislative institution to initiate legislation for lawmaking, and, given the number of PMBs that have been brought forward over the past two years, it is unlikely that the demand will decline. Therefore, the Committee agreed that appropriate resources were needed to sustain and develop PMBs in the future.”
“To overcome the issue, a new term, "Notice of Political Designation", will be introduced to allow an absent Member to declare their political designation to the Speaker in writing, including details of the exceptional circumstances for their absence, which will be reported to the Assembly. That will allow for the proceedings for the appointment of a First Minister and deputy First Minister. The change is reasonable and proportionate, and the UUP will support it.”
“The amendment that we are debating is to Standing Order 3, and it covers what happens in the event that a Member cannot attend, whether through illness or for another reason, the first meeting of the Assembly following a dissolution. That Member, therefore, would not be able to declare his or her political designation. That is important, as it may have a knock-on effect on the appointment of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, particularly if the numbers are close. That risk needs to be removed. Given the importance of designation on the first day that the Assembly meets, which fixes the sizes of the political designations over the next five years, we had to look at some way of getting rid of the risk.”
“By separating methane, which breaks down relatively quickly in the atmosphere and is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, farmers can now use the available scientific data, which indicates that food additives can reduce methane emission by up to 30%. <BR /> <BR />With continued research, innovative ideas and improvement in science, the impact on the farming industry, while challenging, will hopefully ensure the continuation of a thriving agriculture sector and allow agriculture to contribute to tackling climate change. The Bill will contribute to the protection of our environment in, I hope, a sustainable and sensible manner for generations to come. I commend the Bill.”
“As part of the UK, Northern Ireland must, therefore, now work towards reducing its emissions. It must also remember, however, that it has a duty to not permit the carbon leakage that comes from imported foods. <BR /> <BR />The agriculture sector of course accepts that meeting the emissions targets over the next number of decades will be challenging. The separate methane target will, however, realign Northern Ireland with the Climate Change Committee's balanced pathway for agriculture. The agreed amendment will see methane levels fall to 46% from their 1990 levels by 2050 and will contribute to our net zero target.”
“I thank all those from whom we took evidence on the Climate Change (No. 2) Bill. I also thank everybody in the Assembly who supported us in many different ways. <BR /> <BR />Today, at Final Stage, we are looking at a very different Bill from the one that was introduced. Many supportive amendments have been made, while some clauses have been removed and replaced with alternatives. The Bill now has 65 clauses and is divided into five Parts. <BR /> <BR />Not everything in the Bill will please everyone. Northern Ireland will not be immune to the severity of the impact of the issues of climate change as part of the United Kingdom. It must accept that legislation and targets are needed for the reduction of emissions in line with the Paris climate change agreement.”
“Parents must encourage daughters by familiarising them from an early age with all the farm work, thus instilling confidence in all their family and giving them good experiences of becoming involved in the agriculture sector. <BR /> <BR />If women are to overcome the many challenges in the agriculture sector, whether that means inheriting and owning a farm, having joint names on herds and payments or applying to become a board member in our agri-food industry, DAERA must help. It should consider and address those challenges through a programme of education and mentoring for cultural and attitudinal changes, perhaps similar to the programme in Scotland, which, I understand, has been very successful. No longer should someone, because of gender, feel less empowered to succeed in the local agriculture sector.”
“Although the good gender balance on many of the level 2 courses offered by the College of Agriculture Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) is recognised, it further highlights the challenges that women experience, because so few return to the family farm. Many instead make a career in agri-associated businesses or in the agri-food industry. <BR /> <BR />Another concern raised was that of gender equality around the boardroom tables of the agri-food industry. Is there a 50:50 split, reflecting the population, or is it less equal? You all heard Mr McGlone refer to that a few moments ago. We live in the 21st century, so attitudes must change.”
“<BR /> <BR />Comments in the AERA Committee report included that, although many women helped out on the farm in an unpaid capacity, feeding animals or completing paperwork, there was a reluctance from male owners of farms to have the farm jointly owned with their partner. <BR /> <BR />Another telling comment was:”
“<BR /> <BR />There appears to be a legacy of culture and attitude around encouraging young women, in comparison with young men, into agriculture. The question of succession and parental attitudes to daughters being willed land is a barrier to female ownership. Many still see farming as not being a suitable career for women and girls, and the family farm is passed to the son, thus leaving the daughter without access to succession land. There is also a mindset in which it is preferable for the family farm to remain in the family name, which would not be the case if it were inherited by a daughter who got married.”
“Over the past six months, the AERA Committee has researched the challenges experienced by women in agriculture, given that it is widely recognised that women make a very valuable contribution to the agriculture sector in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />There are approximately 25,000 agricultural holdings in Northern Ireland, with women making up approximately 22% of the agriculture workforce, yet 95% of the farms are owned by men. Increasingly, women are abandoning farming and working in other supporting roles in the agriculture sector. The number of women working primarily in the sector fell by 15% between 2006 and 2019. Those statistics are evidence that women have to navigate complex and difficult issues in order to get the recognition that they deserve from the agriculture industry.”
“Thank you, Minister, for that comprehensive answer. Many charities provide an essential service, particularly in rural areas. Have you had any conversations with the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to support those charities and work with them in rural areas with regard to phone calls in the morning and things like that?”
“Under the change to Standing Order 56, it is proposed that the Opposition has the right to nominate the Chair or the Deputy Chair of the Public Accounts Committee. Given the previous amendments, there is a consequential need to amend Standing Order 81 accordingly. <BR /> <BR />The Ulster Unionist Party will support all the motions to amend Standing Orders.”
“It must satisfy various conditions, including that, if a party has declined the opportunity to nominate a person to ministerial office during the relevant period and that party comprises 8% or more of the total Assembly membership, it is entitled to be in opposition and to nominate a person to be the leader of the Opposition. If more than one party is forming an Opposition, the largest party may nominate the leader of the Opposition and the second-largest party can nominate the deputy leader. The Opposition will be dissolved if the Assembly is dissolved or if all Ministers cease to hold office. <BR /> <BR />Under the change to Standing Order 55, it is recommended that provision be made for one member of the Opposition to be appointed to the Business Committee.”
“That would allow the First Minister, when taking questions for oral answer, to permit that the first and second topical questions be asked by the leader and the deputy leader of the Opposition. If another Minister is answering questions for oral answer, only the first topical question would be asked by the Opposition, and the Speaker would determine who asks the questions thereafter. <BR /> <BR />The proposed amendment to Standing Order 49(2) would allow the Opposition to be facilitated with at least one seat on each of the Statutory Committees, and the change to Standing Order 45A sets out the parameters for a party to be recognised as the Opposition.”
“The revisions to Standing Orders before the Assembly today are being brought in the event of an official Opposition being formed in a future Assembly mandate. First, the various revisions to Standing Orders would permit provision for enhanced speaking rights for the Opposition in Standing Orders 12, 18A, 20, 20A and 20B. Secondly, the revisions to Standing Orders 45A, 49(2), 55, 56 and 81 are to amend procedural details to include the possibility of an Opposition. <BR /> <BR />The proposed amendment to create a new Standing Order 12(4A) states that a minimum of 10 days in each yearly session of the Assembly shall be allotted for Opposition business. Paragraphs (6), (7) and (8) of Standing Order 20A are to be excluded, and an amendment is to be made.”
“Minister, will you provide an update on the extra activity that you have been able to deliver following the decision to allocate an additional £90 million of funding, albeit non-recurrent funding in the absence of a multi-year Budget, to tackle waiting lists in the current financial year?”
“Minister, given your answer, do you foresee a global shortage in products like fertiliser?”
“Thank you for your statement, Minister. I agree that the connectivity gap is closing, particularly in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. It is disappointing, however, that it will take another three years for some of the hardest-to-reach premises to receive broadband access. In particular, a lot of small businesses in remote and rural areas still have difficulties.”
“Recognition of the need to support farmers is stated clearly in amendment No 44, which we will support. <BR /> <BR />We will support amendment Nos 54, 55 and 56, as they are tidying-up amendments. While amendment Nos 57 and 58 involve a lot of extra regulations, we realise the necessity for them. We will support amendment No 62, which clarifies the role of the Departments. We will also support amendment Nos 64, 65 and 66. Again, those are tidying-up amendments that reword clauses.”
“Amendment Nos 24 to 35 are mainly tidying-up requirements for the carbon budget sectoral plans and the climate change action plans, so we will support those. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 36 makes a considerable improvement to clause 25, as at Consideration Stage, so we will, hopefully, support that. There is more tidying up in amendment Nos 37 to 39, which we will support. We will oppose amendment No 40 as there is no requirement for that insertion. Amendment No 41, tabled by Sinn Féin, ensures impact assessments on the effects of proposals and policies. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 42 recognises the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane with regard to the special economic and social roles of agriculture. We will support amendment Nos 43 and 53, which put the just transition fund into the regulations.”
“Having spoken generally on the group 1 amendments, I will go straight to giving our thoughts on the amendments in group 2 and explaining whether we will or will not support them. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 20, which we will support, adds further to the development of the sectoral plans, including the commissioning of social, economic and rural impact assessments. We had thought that amendment No 21 may not be required — if amendment No 17 were made — however things have changed since then. We can support the inclusion of fair and proportionate targets for biomethane reduction in accordance with the 2015 Paris agreement, as outlined in amendment No 21. We will support amendment Nos 22 and 23.”
“Amendment Nos 18 and 19 again are tidying up after Consideration Stage, and we will support them.”
“In group 1, we support amendment No 1, which still has an ambitious reduction target but is in line with the Climate Change Committee's advice as it has a pathway around methane while protecting rural communities. Like you, we thought that amendment No 2 complemented amendment No 1, but that is not the case, I understand. Amendment No 3, which is from Sinn Féin, clarifies the targets, while amendment No 4 amends the target to 2050. We will support both those amendments. While the Minister's new clause in Amendment No 5 aligns targets 2030, 2040 and 2050 with net zero — we hope to support those — amendment No 6 sets the baseline for methane to 1990, as agreed at Consideration Stage. We support that, along with the Minister's tidying-up amendment Nos 7 to 15.”
“<BR /> <BR />Most of the amendments that you tabled for this afternoon, Minister, are technical; we understand that. Let me go through them and state our position.”
“However, while the agriculture sector in Northern Ireland is the highest contributor, it understands that mitigations are needed to protect the climate and recognises the important role that it will have to play in reducing Northern Ireland's emissions. I have no doubt that our agriculture sector and our agri-economy are willing to play their part, in line with the Climate Change Committee, in the setting of achievable targets. <BR /> <BR />Throughout Consideration Stage, my party made it clear that, yes, a climate change Bill is needed. Progress that contributes to the passage of this Bill must reflect a policy that encourages our agriculture community to work towards change with scientific research. However, our agriculture industry must be supported and cannot suffer serious consequences as a result of the Bill.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate. It is important at this stage that the Bill consider the interests of all who are concerned with climate change, including those who consider that we have a crisis and those who want to work to improve the situation by helping to find a meaningful solution to reduce the effects of climate change. <BR /> <BR />There is little doubt that the scientific data that has been collected in Northern Ireland points the finger at the emissions of the agriculture and transport industries, with agriculture accounting for 26% of the Northern Ireland carbon footprint.”
“Can you comment further on that? It is worrying if other potent greenhouse gases, such as methane, will result from that.”
“Minister, thank you for your statement. You acknowledged in the statement that:”
“Minister, you will, no doubt, remember that, when the scheme initially closed, you received a rather long list from me of the constituents who were still waiting to receive cards, could not get cards or were turned down for cards. Do you have an up-to-date assessment of the details of those in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area and the Mid Ulster District Council area who applied for cards but have still not been successful in receiving them?”
“Thank you. In Dungannon, we have a primary school that has pupils of 22 different nationalities. They speak 22 languages. Surely, that is an integrated school, where everybody is educated together, enjoys each other's company and learns from one another. Does the Member agree that that is true integrated education?”
“<BR /> <BR />While no consultation has been carried out locally, there was UK-wide consultation before implementation, and the Department will have to prepare and publish an environmental improvement plan for a policy statement on the environmental issues, including on the importance of the natural environment and environmental principles. That will also have a consultation carried out on it. Given that these provisions, essentially, bring most of the local effects of the Environment Act into law in Northern Ireland, the Ulster Unionist Party will support the motion.”
“The provisions being brought include resource efficiency requirements on products that will have a significant impact on the environment and natural resources, such as the possibility of encouraging disuse of single-use products and disuse of products that take a considerable time to decompose. Consumers will also be provided with the necessary information to help them to make informed choices, including information about a product's durability, life cycle and repairability. There will also be the power to introduce electronic waste tracking and create punishable penalties where necessary.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on this legislation, the purpose of which is to commence the Northern Ireland provisions in the Environment Act insofar as they relate to Northern Ireland-resolved matters. The Act can be divided into two parts, the first being on environmental governance and accountability, including plans and provision for a new Office for Environmental Protection, as the UK has now left the European Union. <BR /> <BR />The second part refers to environmental legislation enabling powers to Northern Ireland Departments or amends existing legislation with respect to environmental measures, including producer responsibility for disposal costs, deposit schemes, charge for single-use plastic items, charges for carrier bags, waste charging and waste tracking where possible.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I will follow on from Mr McGlone's question about schools. As you know, schools are very busy places. Teachers are busy people, and they are very good at raising awareness and appreciation of the environment, as you stated. Will the funding stretch to the appointment of environmentalists who are specialist in certain areas and would be available to support school staff by, for example, taking children on eco-trips outside the school environment etc?”
“<BR /> <BR />As the Minister stated, the proposal for a flexible school starting age received the support of over 90% of respondents. While being able to defer the school starting age is to be welcomed, many issues will arise that will, perhaps, need to be addressed in the future. For example, will children be entitled to two years at preschool? At what age will a child who defers be expected to transfer to a post-primary school? Perhaps a little further consideration could also be given to providing flexibility in the school starting age for children with special educational needs. <BR /> <BR />Minister, the Ulster Unionist Party thanks you for the School Age Bill.”