Keith Buchanan
Mid Ulster · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Minister, we watched a gentleman having his head nearly removed on the street. That is a problem, whether you think so or not. I referred to it as being like something that I witnessed in the slaughterhouse in my previous job. We have to address it. I am not radical; I am just a normal MLA who talks to normal people in the street.”
“It is always a privilege to celebrate sporting success in mid-Ulster. Today, we congratulate Nigel Davidson, a proud Cookstown businessman, on his outstanding achievement at the Hyrox world championships in Stockholm. To see him compete and succeed on the world stage is an achievement that makes all of us in Cookstown incredibly proud.”
“Minister, I was contacted on Friday by a lady whose brother was in Muckamore — a lady who did not tell her story. Now the report has come out and sparked a degree of need for her to speak. I use the word "need", but that is maybe not the best word. What can that lady do now?”
“I thank the Minister for that answer. We are starting to see the impact of investment into local communities through funds from the Ulster-Scots Agency and the Arts Council. In the past, Sinn Féin has been critical about your priorities, complaining recently that consistent funding for Ulster Scots and bands was for "vanity projects".”
“Last Friday, I had the privilege of walking alongside the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland, his dedicated team and veterans as they completed a six-day journey: the Somme 110 walk. The final day coincided with the 82nd anniversary of D-Day.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Battle of the Somme is not just a story from the past but one that lives on in families, regiments and the hearts of those who continue to serve. It stands as a stark reminder of the sacrifice, suffering and bravery of those who fell and fought. Those men faced unimaginable conditions so that others might know freedom.”
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“I rise to pay tribute to the commitment, dedication and achievements of Stuart Dallas, a lad from Cookstown who rose to the pinnacle of not only local football but top-flight Premiership and international football, including Euro 2016 in France. Stuart grew up in Cookstown and played for Coagh United and Crusaders, winning the Irish League Cup and the Setanta Sports Cup with Crusaders. After being capped at youth level for Northern Ireland, he gained his full senior cap in 2011, when he made his debut against Wales. During his career, he was capped 62 times for Northern Ireland and scored on three occasions. <BR /> <BR />On Wednesday, Stuart announced his retirement from professional football following injury.”
“The developer will pass it on to some degree to the homebuyer. <BR /> <BR />Mark Durkan talked about a joint departmental approach and said that there should be no increase in charges. Peter McReynolds referred to a Victorian sewerage network. Patsy also talked about not having water charges and the increased cost for homeowners. Stephen talked about housing as well. <BR /> <BR />I will have to bring my remarks to an end. Thank you.”
“Yes. On that point, when Sara Venning was here, she referred to thousands of combined flow discharges. I appreciate that 700 is a step in the right direction. <BR /> <BR />I will briefly go through some points. Mike Nesbitt touched on the ageing network — a third of the pipes are 100 years old — and mentioned the housing shortfall. Deborah also mentioned social and affordable homes. The restriction of sewerage obviously affects homes more broadly. She also referred to overflows in the system. Cathal talked about development challenges. Patrick Brown talked about treatment works being at capacity. All those points relate to development and building. The costs are obviously added on to homebuyers. If any developer says that they will take the full whack of that cost, I do not believe it.”
“Thanks for that. I missed the number: was it 700?”
“There is no way of measuring that. <BR /> <BR />The Northern Ireland Audit Office report is clear that ongoing leakage from sewers is contributing to pollution in our rivers and lakes. The same level of accountability should be apparent in NI Water, yet there is a perception, rightly or wrongly, that there is a double standard. Does the Minister believe that discharge from combined sewers should be routinely monitored and recorded in order to get the exact figure and so that we know what the actual volume of liquid is when we have combined flow discharges into our rivers that, obviously, ultimately end up in Lough Neagh? Will the Minister ensure that there is a greater focus on surveilling where NI Water leaks occur, how often they occur and their impact? <BR /> <BR />I will now briefly move on —.”
“We acknowledge that preventative measures need to be taken to reduce pollutants entering our waterways, and that will help to address the money that is spent on removing them through water treatment afterwards. No one disputes the fact that there is still some way to go to ensure that all sectors mitigate the risk to water quality. However, the causes of the current problems go much further than to one sector alone. <BR /> <BR />A series of questions was recently asked to the Minister on discharge points, and other Members touched on this. How are we measuring the water discharge volume — I mean the dissolved oxygen demand and the chemical oxygen demand — that goes into the water? Obviously, that needs to be monitored. Another Member referred to 75 tons of sewage. How do we know that 75 tons of sewage were discharged into the water?”
“In other examples, planning approval is given but no foul solution is available, and the developer builds the homes only for the homeowner to find out later that their dwelling has no formal sewerage connection available to it. Without the proper investment to support business expansion and new homes being built, there will be missed opportunities to boost employment in the construction sector and provide for need. <BR /> <BR />When it comes to addressing the crisis in capacity or, at a bare minimum, mitigating the current problems, a joined-up approach is vital. Any investment that is provided must be targeted to maximise added value and be screened against the potential to promote regional inequalities. We acknowledge the need to place more value on water and to take personal responsibility for the potential impact of our actions.”
“As time passes without a sustainable approach to meeting the current demand for connection to the network, there are further infrastructure restrictions. <BR /> <BR />There are several examples of that restricting economic growth in Mid Ulster, and I am sure that other MLAs are aware of many more problems that building contractors encounter when development is hampered. In some cases, the contractor can get a connection to the foul system by reducing the volume of storm that enters it by a multiplication of 12. That means that, for every litre of foul water that is added to the system, 12 litres need to be removed and diverted to a storm connection or waterway at considerable cost. In the middle of a town or a built-up area, that can be challenging.”
“First, I apologise for referring to the Minister as a Member. He is technically a Member, but I apologise for that. <BR /> <BR />I rise in support of the motion and our amendment. As we heard, NI Water is one of Northern Ireland's largest landowners, and it incorporates water treatment works, pumping stations, waste water treatment works and a vast network of water mains and sewers. NI Water supplies approximately 910,000 homes and businesses. Over many years, there has been a failure to address the underinvestment in our waste water infrastructure, and that has severely hampered economic development and housebuilding in every part of Northern Ireland. Without the necessary investment in the network, there is reduced building work.”
“Minister, obviously, the developer will pay the cheque, but, fundamentally, he or she will pass it on to the homebuyer.”
“Nobody is denying the seven days or that people are doing a great job, but the figures do not lie. Two thirds of the centres are underperforming. They are doing fewer tests now than they did in 2019.”
“I hope that the Minister, in his remarks, will provide a solution for the general public and those businesses that depend on MOT centres.”
“Is it required? Can it be reduced? I refer Members to some recent figures. As Mrs Erskine previously mentioned, of the 15 test centres, two thirds were operating at reduced capacity from January 2019 to January 2024. Yes, overall capacity has been increased from 82,184 to 83,755 tests, but, at the Armagh test centre, for example, a total of 4,447 tests is now down to 3,600. Coleraine, previously at 5,800 tests, is at 5,300. As I said, two thirds of the test centres are operating at reduced capacity, although total capacity is up by 1,000, so I now ask the Minister —.”
“Second-hand dealers experience the pain of trying to register a previously registered GB car on the system in Northern Ireland. That is the case for anybody in the trade who is bringing GB cars across. Registration, I understand, is done via a phone system. Dealers then have to navigate getting MOTs for those vehicles that they bring in from the mainland. <BR /> <BR />Is the Minister content that capacity is operating as it should? In a briefing to the Committee, it was indicated that over 1·1 million car MOTs were carried out between 2022 and 2023. Are the 15 centres staffed to the correct levels to achieve maximum output, and will the additional new centres be able to attract the correct staffing levels to achieve their possible output figures? <BR /> <BR />How has the current time of 20 minutes to test a vehicle been arrived at?”
“Indeed, individuals have spoken about — I think other Members referred to this — the expense, the lost productivity and time and the environmental impacts of travelling back and forth across Northern Ireland.”
“Think of the difficulty of booking one test for a private individual, then multiply that by 30 in one month. One business owner told me that it is a full-time job getting appointments and driving all over the country when they eventually get a test booked. Why do businesses such as second-hand dealers not have the same options as taxi drivers to access MOTs? Like taxi drivers, second-hand car dealers and dealerships require access to timely MOT appointments. Their livelihoods and jobs depend on sales, and any delay can affect not just the owner of the business but their employees, buyers and the local economy. <BR /> <BR />Businesses cannot be expected to travel the length and breadth of Northern Ireland to access MOTs for the vehicles they are trying to sell.”
“They should have in place a contingency plan and ensure that they have adequate capacity to respond to increasing needs. <BR /> <BR />Another common complaint I hear is that reminders about an upcoming MOT are being not sent, as stated by other Members. The whole system of reminder letters and bookings is not working. Sometimes motorists obtain a date that is so far in advance of their date of booking that they forget the date and time, leading to the number of no-shows that was discussed earlier. Will the Minister commit to looking at the issue of reminder letters in a timely manner? <BR /> <BR />Also, some in the second-hand motor trade have contacted me directly. Some businesses sell between 30 and 40 cars a month, and they find it difficult to obtain MOTs in a timely manner.”
“<BR /> <BR />On a weekly basis, my office takes calls from private owners who are trying to access an MOT for their vehicle. Frustration is growing, as many are not able to get tests until July or August this year. Many are not internet-savvy, so they cannot use it to book or change their appointment. The phone line is also extremely busy. Those people are becoming increasingly frustrated, as they cannot rely on a good public transport system and, therefore, need their vehicle to carry on with their daily life. That is the case even more in rural areas of Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />I appreciate that there has been a slight increase in the number of vehicle tests in recent years, but, as with all businesses, the DVA and the Department should anticipate an increase in business.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is time for the DVA, the Department and the Minister to provide a step change or public confidence will continue to wane. Action and accountability must be the foundation of the Minister's actions from this point onwards. New hairline cracks have appeared in equipment across DVA testing centres. Have lessons not been learnt? The Department and the DVA should ensure that all equipment is fit for purpose. There should be adequate warranty and support from manufacturers to ensure that the equipment purchased is not affected such a short time after replacement. Is a contingency plan in place to ensure continuity in access to service if there is any damage or lift issues in the future? During the inspection of and repairs to any lifts with cracks, will all centres remain operational?”
“I welcome the motion. This is a timely opportunity for the House to recognise the problems that constituents across Northern Ireland experience in obtaining MOTs. It affects not only private vehicle owners but those in the car business, including second-hand car dealers and dealerships. <BR /> <BR />The crisis in MOT testing is nothing new, but it is now worse. Prior to the pandemic, there were already delays due to problems with MOT tests in Northern Ireland. MOTs were first suspended in January 2020 due to safety concerns about the equipment being used during tests when cracks were found in 52 of the 55 lifts at testing sites. What evidence can the Minister give that there is now no backlog directly related to COVID or the previous lift issues?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. That is positive news that the scheme will be launched this year, and I assume that it will be. The scheme was to be launched last October, and I met your officials on several occasions to forward it. I want to emphasise that we do not want to miss any more time to get it launched and out into the community. The scheme does amazing work for a small amount of money in a lot of areas. I want the Minister to stand up to his commitment and release the money as soon as possible.”
“I will finish with the Minister. Sorry, Gerry. He said that he is keen to support the rail network, which will stimulate development and jobs. He said that the debate has now opened up and that the conversation can start at this point.”
“He said that 82% of workers travel by car to work. He mentioned wanting a new railway halt in the north-west near the airport. <BR /> <BR />Matthew O'Toole said, "Build it, and they will come." He also referred to the movement of people and goods. That was a good point. It is about not just people but goods across these islands. He mentioned the £31 billion investment and said that it is inspirational. Justin McNulty said that the review is a "once-in-a-generation opportunity". He mentioned rail connectivity to Armagh city. He said that we are individually responsible for the environment. He also said that the Minister must grasp this opportunity.”
“Gary Middleton referred to the suffering caused by historical underinvestment and the available Executive allocations for the project. He also referred to the positive changes made in the past 10 years in the city that he represents. Colm Gildernew referred to the lack of connections in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, now and for the future. <BR /> <BR />David Honeyford referred to renewing and reshaping the economy through having good infrastructure and building on current tourism. He said that public transport is a driver of change. He talked about the Glider and about connecting its route to train stations and industry. I think that that was the point. I do not think that there has been mention of a Glider for Fermanagh at this stage, Tom. Alan Robinson referred to those who use the SmartPass to travel on public transport.”
“Stephen Dunne referred to the airport connections and, more broadly, to the fiscal challenges that exist. He mentioned the demand that exists for rail travel and the increasing numbers on the Bangor to Belfast service. Patrick Brown said that every £1 spent generates £2·50 in income. He mentioned the electrification of new and existing lines. He also mentioned the Fermanagh issue, to which we referred. He said that there is no statutory protection for unused rail tracks. He also mentioned the importance of heritage railways. <BR /> <BR />Áine Murphy mentioned the tourism potential of Fermanagh. She referred to the traffic in Enniskillen town centre and the reduction in that that will occur if the planned bypass is built. She also referred to the climate emergency.”
“<BR /> <BR />Pádraig Delargy referred to the Union connectivity review report. He said that, in it, the east was strengthened while the west was neglected. He referred to the committed Minister whom we have in front of us.”
“He also talked about unlocking opportunities. Peter McReynolds referred to stimulating economic growth. There were a few differences of opinion in respect of journeys, but he referred to broadly 70% of journeys being by car. He also talked about the climate change threat and the low-emissions transport network. <BR /> <BR />John Stewart referred to the lack of transport in the west of the Province, which, again, is the point about Fermanagh. He mentioned hydrogen-powered trains etc, and airport access, as others did. He talked about costing the project and referenced the timeline: 25 years to complete over five mandates, which will involve several different Ministers. He also mentioned some issues with rail lines in his area and asked whether, in future, they would be under water, which, obviously, is a big issue.”
“She said that there are 30 recommendations in the report, one of which is the connection to Belfast International Airport and other airports. She and several other Members — I will touch on them individually — made the point about Fermanagh and the regional imbalance when it comes to the west or south-west of Northern Ireland. She asked why it is not part of the 32 counties. As we all know, 26 and six is 32. Why is it not there? She also referred to the Northern Ireland Audit Office report and the issues with delivery and costs that are associated with such infrastructure projects. <BR /> <BR />Cathal Boylan referred to frequent, reliable travel by train, and to underinvestment and neglect over the years. He welcomed the recent funding from the Irish Government for additional North/South travel.”
“I think that I have written too many notes, so, if I omit anybody, I apologise in advance. I will cover Members' comments broadly. Mark Durkan referred to the SDLP's commitment to all-island rail, the decarbonisation of public transport and the north-west — of Ireland, Northern Ireland, or whatever — being isolated. I appreciate that. He also referred to the year-on-year increase in journeys to Londonderry. Obviously, the number of people taking public transport increased, year-on-year. He said that train travel is the environmentally friendly option. <BR /> <BR />Deborah Erskine made several points. She asked whether the expertise is there to deliver the project. She also referred to the report that should be out in the late spring.”
“So the Justice Minister has not communicated with you to reflect my concerns?”
“Thank you for that answer, Minister. On the basis of the numbers that you have just provided, can you provide assurance to those who were unsuccessful because of high demand and due to the limited budget that the budget and the process for getting the funding will be looked at accordingly? It is one of the most difficult processes for any funding stream.”
“Thank you for that answer. I appreciate your response and a Minister who answers the question. <BR /> <BR />In the past, a lot of rural groups have received rural hall funding or micro grants. Will the Minister look at that funding, because it is vital for our communities? There are few grants that those groups can get to remain operational, so if you could follow up on rural micro grants, which, I think, the Speaker implemented when he was Minister, that would be great.”
“Do you defend Israel's right to defend itself, or is there no alternative?”
“<BR /> <BR />To summarise, I call on the Health Minister to implement the necessary reforms to tackle the underlying issues with care packages, and I look forward to his response. Our healthcare workers, including our domiciliary care workers, need the support and changes that will address the current situation.”
“Although I acknowledge that not all those patients reside in mid Ulster, that context gives an overview of the waiting list figures across both trusts. <BR /> <BR />Some families are offered direct payments. That may work for some who have a neighbour, friend or relative who can do the work, but it is not always possible for a family to actually find someone who can do this type of work or who finds that it suits them to do only a small amount of time in the day. Covering the seven days can often be a challenge. It can work for some, and it would be interesting to know whether the Minister has the detail on the percentage of care that is carried out through direct payments. He may or may not have that information, but it would be interesting to note how many families take it up.”
“All health trusts have waiting lists for home care, and it is of concern. On 25 January 2024, in a presentation to Mid Ulster District Council — these are the figures that the Member who spoke previously mentioned — Jennifer Welsh, the chief executive, revealed that 1,700 people were waiting in the community for some element of a care package. In addition, Brian Beattie, director of adult community services in the Southern Trust — I know that we are talking about the Northern Trust, but I just want to give some context — advised that 700-plus people are waiting, although that was a decrease of approximately 100 compared with the figure of December 2023. That gives some reflection of what is happening in the trusts. I appreciate that the trusts are different sizes, but it gives some indication of how high that figure of 1,700 is.”
“Those are the Minister's words, not mine. I hope that this will alleviate some of the problems with outstanding packages of care. Obviously, we will see the outworkings of that, if that is the case. No doubt it is the case, but we will see the outworkings of that. <BR /> <BR />The challenges were previously mentioned. Obviously, mid Ulster, as was said, is a very rural area. We know that we have a growing older population. The average age is increasing faster, and this has implications for health service providers. The longer distances and higher travel costs have implications for providers of domiciliary care, and delivering community-based care can be more expensive, especially in rural areas. In can be more difficult to recruit home care professionals, and travel allowances are not as generous as in other industries.”
“That has a knock-on effect on our emergency departments and the number of available inpatient beds. <BR /> <BR />I note that the Minister responded to a priority question for written answer tabled on 5 February — just last week — by saying:”
“Some are in hospital while others are already back in their own home and waiting for the necessary package. Every individual patient has different care needs. Many want to continue to have some independence and want to live in their own home for as long as possible, with the much-needed supportive care in the home. To do this, they need practical support with daily living tasks such as personal care and preparing food. Some need adaptations to their homes to ensure that they can continue to live as independently as possible without needing residential or nursing home care. The lack of domiciliary care packages means that patients who are medically fit to be discharged are remaining in hospital beds or in other facilities, as previously mentioned.”
“She is doing well, but I think that the points that the Member raised are vital. There are seven of us as a family, and the care packages take the entire pressure out of the situation. We can fill in the gaps and do a bit around it all, but you could not do it all. Everybody in every household has a busy life, so it is a very valid point. Sometimes, animus in families means that they can be at each other's throats within three or four months of an elderly person, or any person in the family, needing that kind of care. That can put a lot of strain on a family, so it is a very valid point. <BR /> <BR />Constituents and their families who are waiting for a package of care contact my office weekly, and the Member who has just contributed mentioned that that also happens in her office.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I congratulate you on your new role. You look well in that Chair, I must admit. I also congratulate the Minister: after a stay of absence, he is back in the role, and I wish him well. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Member for raising this important issue of domiciliary care packages in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. I have first-hand experience of the work that these teams do. My mother, now in her 91st year, is being looked after by two ladies, or sometimes by two gentlemen; time and time about. They do an excellent job in a very professional manner. She is cared for like an egg. She is not watching this on social media, and please do not tell her that, but she is looked after like an egg, to be honest. First thing this morning, I had the privilege of doing the medication run before I came here.”
“We must also consider natural factors, including the invasive zebra mussels, as they are also contributors to the problem. We must ensure that the public are aware of the consequences and impact of their actions: promoting personal responsibility should be front and centre of future efforts. <BR /> <BR />We must acknowledge that the problem will not be easily remedied. Our primary focus should be on securing solid foundations and the right resources to ensure that the current situation in the lough and all threats to wildlife and habitats are addressed sustainably. As mentioned, we must identify the actual causes and then work collectively to address them.”
“Agriculture has already made changes in relation to ensuring responsible practices and reducing the risk of run-off. Nutrients going into Lough Neagh is a historical issue, going back many generations, and continues to be of concern. Farmers are not naive; they understand that they have a part to play but only a part. It is the responsibility not just of farmers but of landowners, businesses, homeowners and us all, as well as those with septic tanks and sewage treatment responsibilities across Northern Ireland. If we as a society cannot even keep our rubbish in the car and take it home, have we the moral compass to address the issue collectively? <BR /> <BR />Other agencies, including NI Water and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, need to look at their practices, issues and policies.”
“That should be addressed by dredging if access to that waterway and others is to reach their potential. I appreciate the work of some campaigners who are trying to resolve that issue. <BR /> <BR />My party's leadership has been proactively engaging with core stakeholders, including the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, NIEA and the Lough Neagh Partnership, in order to monitor the situation. Understandably, there are calls for governance arrangements to be placed on a statutory footing, particularly in order to support a more joined-up approach, and that is something that we would support. <BR /> <BR />Many different stakeholders have responsibility for what happens to the lough and other inland waterways, including Upper and Lower Lough Erne.”
“Before any issue can be addressed, the cause must be established and accurate data produced to verify it. Ownership has been the focus of some; in fact, some people have been fascinated by the ownership of the lough, when the ownership is not what is causing the issue. Yes, the benefits of public ownership can be looked at and that conversation can certainly be had, but we should not deviate from the actual problem. People have become focused on and fascinated by ownership when that is not the issue. <BR /> <BR />There are other issues with the lough more broadly, such as the tourism potential, navigation and access to waterways connected to the lough. As a Member who spoke previously mentioned, at the Blackwater, access to the lough is hampered, dangerous and at times impossible.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. <BR /> <BR />I will not get into a debate on who should do the work, as long as it is done. The finger has been pointed at agriculture, the environmental sector, from an NI Water point of view, septic tanks. As long as we can stand over the data, who does the work is irrelevant, in my opinion. Data on the benefits of work that has been carried out must be clear. For example, in the Ballinderry catchment area, work has been carried out on that river with different fencing activities, repairs of damaged concrete spouting around farm buildings etc. We need to establish that that work has been of benefit. If we see the benefit of that work in the figures, whatever way those figures are produced, we will see what the issue is. <BR /> <BR />Without looking across the board, the problem will not be resolved effectively.”
“It is not just a problem in Lough Neagh: blue-green algae has appeared in different parts of the United Kingdom and the world. Although blooms are more common in the months with more sunlight, they can also occur following heavy rainfall. There are different narratives around the problem. We must ensure that we are not focused on just one industry. We need to look at the problem across the board. Without doing that, the problem will not be resolved effectively. Before any issue can be addressed, the cause must be established and accurate data produced to verify it.”
“The DUP is committed to a long-term multi-agency strategy to improve water quality. Over the past year, I have engaged with lough users, fishermen, fisherwomen and various agencies, including the Lough Neagh Partnership and the Ulster Farmers' Union, and met the relevant Departments and officials. I have seen for myself the problem facing the lough, and I recognise that something needs to happen to address it. <BR /> <BR />We acknowledge that securing better outcomes means going beyond simply addressing management issues. The DUP is committed to protecting our environmental heritage, which will be key in Northern Ireland's success for generations to come. However, we must deal with the facts. In total, 42% of Northern Ireland's surface area drains into Lough Neagh. We must establish exactly what is causing the problem.”
“I congratulate the Minister on his position. I look forward to working with him on many aspects of the environment, agriculture and rural affairs. I appreciate the work that he will do on that. I also thank the Members opposite for tabling the motion and the amendment. We will support both. <BR /> <BR />I am a Member for Mid Ulster, and a lot of my constituency borders the shores of Lough Neagh. I recognise the importance of the lough to local industries including tourism, fishing, leisure and wildlife. Lough Neagh is one of the crown jewels of Northern Ireland. However, we are concerned that it has been allowed to decline over many years. The past year has brought the lough and its many issues to the fore and highlighted the lough's importance to Northern Ireland.”
“Will the Member clarify how those figures of 64%, 24% and 12% were derived?”