John Blair
South Antrim · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“It supports the Department's role in enforcement by ensuring that animal welfare standards are being upheld. At their core, the regulations are based on prevention, accountability and transparency.”
“I, like others, rise as a member of the AERA Committee in support of the regulations, which seek to make CCTV mandatory in our slaughterhouses. I do not intend to repeat all of the relevant points that have been covered by the Committee Chair and Committee colleagues.”
“<BR /> <BR />I recognise the work of my colleague the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, who is using the powers within his remit to help mitigate climate change.”
“I rise as chair of the all-party group on climate action to address the extreme heatwave that is forecast to hit mainland UK, including a rare red weather warning, with temperatures forecast to be as high as 40°C. It is yet another reminder that climate change is not a distant future risk that we can brush under the carpet.”
“They place pressure on our health service, disrupt transport and infrastructure, reduce productivity and threaten food production, water supplies and biodiversity. If such events continue to grow in severity and frequency, the cost to our communities, our local economy and our natural environment will only rise.”
“I thank the member of the Commission for that reply. It is good to hear that those reviews take place, of course. However, further to the information that was presented, will there be an ongoing review of the continuous improvement plan, and will that information be available to Members?”
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“<BR /> <BR />Andrew Muir, as a party colleague and a member of the Infrastructure Committee, spoke about the Department for Infrastructure's required actions that relate directly to the amendments. He also spoke in support of amendment No 28. <BR /> <BR />Stewart Dickson explained in more detail amendment Nos 19 and 22. Rachel Woods then spoke in support of, and provided detail on, amendment Nos 39, 40 and 41, which she and her Green Party colleague tabled. She also spoke to amendment Nos 45 to 49. I said that I would return to the matter of a land-use strategy. I, along with colleagues, would be very supportive of what she said, especially around biodiversity issues. All those things link, whether through policy or the amendments before us today. <BR /> <BR />The Minister spoke on behalf of himself and the Department.”
“I contend that there may be opportunities, through further discussion at Further Consideration Stage, to deal with the issues. Harry Harvey, another AERA Committee member, also mentioned amendment No 38 and referred to the fact that it may well receive support. <BR /> <BR />Dr Archibald spoke extensively on Sinn Féin's position and gave her broad support to amendment No 18. Another AERA Committee member, Rosemary Barton, on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, expressed support for amendment Nos 18 to 26 and 28 but not amendment No 27 on a land-use strategy. I will come back to that in a moment when talking about other Members' comments on similar amendments.”
“Dolores Kelly spoke on behalf of her colleague Patsy McGlone, another AERA Committee member, and said that she supported amendment Nos 18, 19 and 21 to 28. She also suggested that North/South Ministerial Council mechanisms be used to enable cooperation. <BR /> <BR />Dr Aiken spoke of his general support for sectoral plans, which appear in a number of the amendments. He also engaged with my colleague Stewart Dickson on extending the responsibilities of the Utility Regulator. Mr Dickson referred to the fact that he had made efforts during the Bill's legislative process to do that. <BR /> <BR />Philip McGuigan spoke in favour of amendment No 18 but suggested that, at this stage at least, amendment Nos 19 to 28, in the absence of detail, presented some problems.”
“He spoke to amendment No 28 and about responsibilities that sit with the Department for Infrastructure rather than with DAERA. No one doubts that, and other Members, including my colleague Andrew Muir, have mentioned today the responsibilities that sit with the Department for Infrastructure and other Departments. Mr Irwin also mentioned the Minister's amendment No 38 and seemed to presume that it would not be supported by the House. As far as I am aware, neither I nor my colleagues have any problem with that amendment.”
“The debate started with the AERA Committee Chair, Declan McAleer, who spoke about the just transition issues in the amendments and the Committee's wish that the Department should be obligated in just transition preparations. He also referred to nature-based solutions. On amendments that some of us either tabled or tried to table, his mention of sequestration was addressed by my party. I know that the Chair of the Committee is aware of that. <BR /> <BR />Committee member William Irwin then spoke. Although not related directly to the amendments, he repeated his opposition to the net zero target set yesterday, and I respect his right to do that.”
“I thank Members for their contributions to the debate. In my contribution, I outlined — I will repeat it because we need to emphasise it — that Northern Ireland is the only place in the UK, Ireland and Europe not to have its own form of net zero climate law and associated frameworks. We are undoubtedly lagging behind in tackling the climate crisis. We can, however, hit the ground running with the best practice already tried and tested in other regions and countries. We need ambition at a political level because the opportunities are ours for the taking. <BR /> <BR />In responding to points raised by Members during the debate, I will focus on comments specifically on amendments rather than those on broader issues.”
“We have seen that in other regions, such as Wales. Northern Ireland is undoubtedly lagging behind the rest of the UK and Ireland in tackling the climate crisis. However, that means that we can hit the ground running, with best practice that has already been tried and tested in other regions and countries. We need ambition at a political level. The opportunities are now ours for the taking. These plans are a vital component of preparation for the plans that we are laying to achieve net zero by 2050, addressing the needs of sectors in doing that and reaching that to which we aspire to deal appropriately with climate challenges and do our bit in this global emergency.”
“As well as drastically reducing emissions, investment will create meaningful modal change, support equal opportunities, reduce social exclusion and break down the socio-economic transport divide. Members will be aware that we addressed some of those issues, such as connectivity, in discussions in the Chamber yesterday. We must also rapidly ensure that walking and cycling are accessible and safe across Northern Ireland by setting a minimum spend on active travel from the overall transport budget. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 27 refers to a land use strategy. Supporting land managers' transition to alternative land uses, including help with skills, training, information and support, with upfront costs and long-term payback of investing in alternative uses, is vital as we progress the ambitions of the Bill.”
“I thank the Minister for that intervention. I am sure that he will accept that the sectors that are chosen are based primarily on those that could easily be deemed to be the most in need of support, as well as, of course, those that contribute significantly, or most, to the problem of carbon emissions. That is the basis on which decisions and selections were made. Of course, there will be opportunities to discuss that further, not least at Further Consideration Stage. <BR /> <BR />Amendment Nos 26 and 28 deal with those sectors that involve transport and active travel. We need clean, accessible transport that works for our communities, environment and economy. Significant infrastructure investment is vital for a clean, sustainable transport system that works for everyone.”
“As a starting point for agriculture, our proposed sectoral plan includes fully carbon-funded audits for farms. Audits will assess where performance improvements and savings can be made, as farms with a low carbon footprint are often the most efficient and profitable. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 25 deals with the fisheries sector. Fisheries must also play a leading role in this transition. Policies and programmes to support a blue economy and establish the future of sustainable fisheries management are crucial to the sector. It is also my hope that fisheries administrations will introduce policies to mitigate and reduce emissions to achieve the overall objective of the Bill.”
“I thank the Member for the intervention. At the start, I referred to the fact that my colleagues will pick up on individual portfolio and departmental responsibilities in more detail later. I hope that the Member will accept that the very purpose of the sectoral plans is to address the issues and concerns that he has raised. I understand those concerns. Of course we also envisage that, as this legislation develops and the policy frameworks are set in place around it, much of that detail will, in turn, be put in place in response to the demands of the various sectors. <BR /> <BR />As I was saying, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, the Alliance Party is committed to working alongside farmers to build a sustainable farming system that tackles both the climate and wildlife crises, while also producing quality food.”
“<BR /> <BR />Amendment No 24 is about agriculture. No one underestimates the impact that this Bill will have on our agri-food sector, but we must consider the broader level. There is no consensus within our farming community. There are organisations and representatives with varying views. In protecting one strand of one industry, we stand to lose enormous economic and social opportunities and to confine Northern Ireland to being the carbon outlier of Europe. The Alliance Party is committed to working alongside farmers to build a sustainable farming system that tackles both the climate and —”
“Amendment No 22 focuses on industrial processes. Sectoral plans for industrial processes will set out how that sector will also contribute to the achievement of net zero by 2050 and support energy-intensive industries for which the transition to climate neutrality constitutes a challenge. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 23 is about waste management. We envisage that sectoral plans will set out how that sector will contribute to the achievement of net zero by making advances. Northern Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions from the waste management sector were estimated to be around 3%. That sector also delivered a significant decrease, which was driven by the introduction of methane capture and oxidation systems in landfill management. Again, the sector should be reported as trying to strive forward faster.”
“We have the capacity to massively increase the supply of low-carbon electricity and to decarbonise our homes and transport systems, as well as industry and the wider economy. We cannot do that without the support of policies, proposals and investment for creating green growth and opportunities across Northern Ireland. Across the UK, the energy sector has supported 700,000 jobs and invested billions. It is committed to supporting the training and upskilling that is required to enable long-term skilled employment in the low-carbon economy. We must support it in that transition. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 21 is based around infrastructure. Sectoral plans for infrastructure will set out how the sector will contribute to the achievement of net zero by 2050. My colleague Andrew Muir will speak about more of the detail around that sectoral plan.”
“The next set of amendments sets out those sectoral plans. Amendment No 19, for example, is about sectoral plans for energy. The sectoral plans set out how the sector will contribute to the achievement of net zero by 2050. The greenhouse gas inventory states that the energy supply sector produces around 13% of our greenhouse gas emissions, but that sector has also led the way in reducing carbon emissions. It delivered the largest reduction between 1990 and 2019, in which carbon emissions were down by 48%. Those reductions were driven by the energy sector switching fuel from coal to natural gas; a move that was replicated in the residential sector. <BR /> <BR />Keeping that pace will be crucial in meeting ambitious emission reduction targets.”
“It should tackle inequality and break down the barriers of division in doing so.”
“It is our hope that all Departments will work together to develop and publish plans for areas of the economy, to be known as sectoral plans, that will set out a bespoke time frame and support system for how each sector can achieve net zero by 2050. All sectoral plans should also support a just transition through a number of measures, such as supporting the creation of secure green jobs and building pathways into green careers. That should be done in partnership with industry and unions, with workers' rights and health and safety at the centre. <BR /> <BR />Workers and communities currently dependent on the high-carbon economy should be supported in that transition. The transition to a green economy should also be supported with net zero carbon investment in infrastructure.”
“It is a pleasure to speak to this group of amendments, a number of which I, along with Alliance Party colleagues, proposed. My colleagues Andrew Muir and Stewart Dickson will speak later in the debate in more detail on infrastructure and energy issues and the economy. <BR /> <BR />We recognise that tackling the climate emergency goes hand in hand with economic and social justice. It is our hope that, by passing long overdue and increasingly urgent climate legislation, we can not only rapidly decarbonise our economy but create an equitable, sustainable economy filled with well-paid, secure green jobs in existing and emerging industries. <BR /> <BR />I turn first to amendment No 18, which is on the sectoral plans envisaged.”
“I will not. I have tried to close three times, and I do not need to stretch this out any more. <BR /> <BR />Let us embrace the opportunity for net zero by 2050 with that ambition, positivity and hope. Let us do that by setting a single target for all harmful emissions, free from dissection, distraction and decoupling. Alliance colleagues and I will support the amendments that help us to do that.”
“That is the type and pace of change that is required, and we should aspire to that.”
“I have already alluded to the fact that I cannot predict what will happen in 28 years' time or the progress that will have been made along that road. We could not have imagined, 28 years ago, what —”
“Let us do this by setting a single target —”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I will say two things in response to it. The first is the issue of sectoral plans, which my party has put forward to offer assistance. However, we should deal with that separately. Sectoral plans are not in this group of amendments, so I do not think that it would be proper process for me to engage in debate on that at this point. <BR /> <BR />The second issue that the Member raised is what the rest of the world is doing. I do not take the view that, because others are doing less or are not doing enough, I do not have to do just as much as I can. I suspect, having heard what I heard, that the Member's view of global responsibility is very different to my view. <BR /> <BR />As I said, let us now embrace the opportunity for net zero by 2050 with ambition, positivity and hope.”
“Today presents us with a historic opportunity to bring Northern Ireland up to pace with other modern democracies and to plan for a safer and healthier future for us and our neighbours, locally and globally. Let us now embrace this opportunity for net zero by 2050.”
“<BR /> <BR />In these expectations, we should all be aware of the timescale associated with all those issues and the planning that we are considering. To put it clearly: the target for 2050 is 28 years away. That, at the very least, should be considered as a generation. If we think back a similar period of time, we have to accept that the technologies that are widely available to us today would have been hard to envisage then. It is my hope that all Departments and sectors will work together to protect not only the environment but existing jobs and to bring forward new green jobs. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party is committed to a green and just recovery and an urgent and radical overhaul of the policies and practices that have hindered our progress to date.”
“The race to net zero currently drives growth in economic opportunity among our neighbours and competitors. We can no longer be the exception to ambition. If we fall behind now, we stay behind forever. We risk losing out on economic benefits and new green industries with new jobs and export opportunities. There are also ecological benefits, more biodiversity and better air quality, more green space to enjoy, better infrastructure, less climate damage such as flooding, as well as community benefits such as quieter streets, active travel, healthier diets, smart cities, and comfortable, warm homes. We should never limit our ambitions for change or the potential for our sectors, and nor should we underestimate industries and how they might adapt to and with technologies still being developed or still to be brought forward.”
“We must reach net zero emissions no later than 2050 to achieve this goal of 1·5°C. The crisis will only increase in magnitude if immediate action is not taken to reduce carbon emissions rapidly. We must also address the fact that, in Northern Ireland, 68% of our emissions are carbon, 22% are methane, 8% are nitrous oxide and the remaining 2% are a variety of other gases contributing to emissions. Separating any of these from the overall emissions grouping is, I suggest, distracting and diverging, and leaves too much scope for variations within what was the original grouping of emissions. In addition to that, it will tie us to an approach not used in other places on these islands. <BR /> <BR />Right here in Northern Ireland, we must play our part and exercise our global duty.”
“Meanwhile, the poorest half of the world's population — around 3·5 billion people — are responsible for just 10% of carbon emissions, yet they are the most threatened by catastrophic storms, droughts and other severe weather shocks that are linked to climate change. For that reason, the 2015 Paris climate agreement demands that high-income countries go further and faster in radically reducing emissions by no later than the second half of this century. It also requires Governments to reduce emissions on the:”
“We are most certainly in a position where we can focus on 2050 and on the specific net zero figure, and we should be moving forward with the debate on that basis. I commend the Minister and his Department for introducing the Bill, which is being presented at a time when legislation is long overdue and increasingly urgent and in a context where Northern Ireland is the only place in the UK, Ireland and, indeed, Europe not to have its own form of net zero climate law and the associated and necessary frameworks around that law. <BR /> <BR />While we will all experience the effects of climate change, we will not all do so equally across the world, nor do we all bear equal responsibility. The world's richest 10% of nations produce around 50% of all emissions.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and DAERA for this commitment to capital funding, which will help rescue services across Northern Ireland, including, I imagine, Lough Neagh Rescue at Antrim in my constituency. What actions can be taken, on an inter-agency basis if necessary, to ensure consistency in provision and service across Northern Ireland, so that, in turn, consistency in safety improvements is ensured in forests, lakes and rivers across the jurisdiction?”
“I thank the Minister for the statement. At a recent meeting with Alliance colleagues and Translink, better connectivity for rural areas was discussed, addressing not only better connectivity to towns from rural areas but connectivity to public transport. Are conversations taking place between Departments and agencies that will address, for example, better access for cyclists to public transport, which might include the storage of cycles at public transport facilities?”
“Our brave service animals in Northern Ireland carry out invaluable work that can often place them in unpredictable and dangerous situations. It is therefore only appropriate that they are adequately protected by law, as they are in neighbouring jurisdictions. I recognise the invaluable work carried out by service animals in Northern Ireland, so I am encouraged by the fact that the Minister and his officials have progressed the legislation at pace to ensure extra protection for them. I am pleased, on behalf of the Alliance Party, to support the passage of the Bill, which will ensure that those who harm service animals are held to account and accordingly punished for their crimes.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer and the details that were in it. Separate to core funding for apprenticeships, what steps is he taking or has he taken in order to ensure that essential community organisations that are recipients of the European social fund do not miss out due to the uncertainty about funding that is distributed by the Shared Prosperity Fund?”
“Some 481 respondents to the Department's consultation on the strategy disagreed with DAERA's preferred option for what it calls "wildlife intervention". What engagement has the Minister undertaken with those stakeholders since the consultation closed? What consultation is planned, if it has not already taken place?”
“I start by associating myself with the comments made by Mark Durkan and the Minister on the vile online abuse towards Diane Dodds and those mourning Ashling Murphy. Does the Minister agree that an inter-agency approach to online abuse is vital? People right across the public service, but particularly those involved in education, youth services, local councils and PCSPs, have a very important role to play in engaging with the Department, the police and, of course, online service providers.”
“I welcome the cross-departmental progress to introduce two strategies to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, which were launched recently. I hope that the discussion will continue in the Assembly and that we will have the opportunity to further debate what more men can do to be better allies, including addressing challenging and problematic behaviour from fellow men. <BR /> <BR />All of us in public life have a responsibility to speak up and address the issue, even more so if we are men in public life, and I look forward to working with colleagues to further address those issues.”
“Women should be able to walk the streets free from harm, fear and threat.”
“The tragic murder of Ashling Murphy must be the catalyst for change and mark the end of male violence against women.”
“Before we can move forward with the debate, we as an Assembly need to address that fact and tackle that issue. We cannot address concerns for women's safety without putting men at the centre of the discussion. <BR /> <BR />The collective socialisation of men has led some men to become predatory. That is why we are at this tipping point. As men, we need to ask what we can do to stop brothers, partners, friends and colleagues becoming a perpetrator. Last week, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said that he wanted to reassure women that we live in a safe society and that such crimes are rare. The fact is that they are not rare. Last year alone, at least 140 UK women were killed by men or in circumstances in which a man is the principal suspect. Sadly, violence against women is not rare.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, for accepting this necessary Matter of the Day, on which a number of Members had submitted notice. There has been an outpouring of grief across the country following the murder of 23-year-old Ashling Murphy, a teacher who was out for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore. On behalf of Alliance, I speak in solidarity with Ashling's loved ones and the tens of thousands of people who attended vigils in recent days to remember her. <BR /> <BR />The senseless loss of Ashling has sent shock waves of grief and fear across the island. I feel deep anger that this has happened again: Ashling's murder must be a catalyst for change. The Matter of the Day highlights the fact that men are the culprits and women are the victims. It is as simple as that.”
“I also associate myself with the gratitude expressed for those working in severe weather conditions. <BR /> <BR />Separate to that, in relation to the increased occurrence of extreme weather, what contingency measures is the Department putting in place to deal with any future storms that may be as bad as or worse than those seen recently?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. At the AERA Committee meeting last Thursday, I asked a number of questions about meetings with councils. A meeting planned for that day had been postponed until the following day, which was Friday. Have those meetings taken place? Will there be further update meetings with councils and other public bodies that have in their ownership publicly accessible land that contains wild birds?”
“I thank the Member — my colleague — for the inspirational words and the hope that they provide. If those matters are not already being considered by the Assembly Commission review, I will do my best to ensure that they are taken into consideration.”
“I thank the Member for that supplementary question. I do not have the figures to hand for the number of artefacts, and nor do I have the overall figures for the financing of that. I am happy to assure the Member that we will seek that information and forward it to him.”
“I thank the Member for the follow-up question about representativeness. The issue of symbolism and the display of artefacts in Parliament Buildings has been raised a number of times with the Assembly Commission since 1998, both by those who feel that the symbolism of the Building does not reflect all parts of the community and by those who have asked for all the Assembly Commission artefacts that are in storage to be permanently displayed. However, the Assembly Commission has previously been unable to find a way forward for a number of reasons. The review agreed by the Commission was a deliberate attempt to change the conversation on those issues in order to move forward. The report of the working group has achieved that, and the Assembly Commission is considering it very seriously.”
“<BR /> <BR />This has been a very significant piece of work, and there is now a range of comprehensive proposals for the Assembly Commission to consider on this long-standing issue.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am happy to confirm, however, that the proposals incorporate a number of key elements including: reflecting the history of Parliament Buildings, including all the political and parliamentary institutions connected to the Building; ensuring that a balance of all political traditions is reflected in the range of items and images on display; displaying a number of items that are either in storage or located in areas of the Building where there is no general public access; providing narrative context and reflecting different perspectives, particularly for the benefit of visitors; and ensuring greater representation of women in images in the Building. The Assembly Commission is due to consider the matter further this month.”
“I thank the Member for her question. As Members will be aware from previous Question Times, in February this year, the Assembly Commission agreed a significant and strategic project to take a different approach to looking at the display of artefacts in Parliament Buildings. A working group comprising Assembly officials and Dr Éamon Phoenix took the project forward in line with a set of principles agreed by the Assembly Commission. <BR /> <BR />The working group presented its report and recommendations to the Assembly Commission in October. They included a framework of proposals for a revised display of items and images in Parliament Buildings. The Assembly Commission is considering the proposals, and, as Members will understand, I will not go into detail while those discussions are under way.”
“I will not seek to be any more mischievous than I already have been. <BR /> <BR />In addition to my point and to the Member's intervention, I would like the Members to whom I referred to consider an additional factor. If the Bill succeeds at this time, it will be easier to pick up on the legislation in the new mandate that Mr McAleer referred to earlier. If the Bill fails at this stage, it will be more difficult to pick up on the issue in the new mandate. I ask Sinn Féin Members, and all Members, to consider that when they vote and to find the support for the Bill that I sought earlier.”
“<BR /> <BR />Finally, I appeal to Sinn Féin in particular to make good on its party commitment: the commitment that its party president Mary Lou McDonald made in February 2020, when she told animal welfare charities in Ireland that Sinn Féin would vote for a ban on fox hunting "at the next opportunity", if it could. That opportunity is here. In the limited time remaining in this mandate, this is the time to seize the opportunity, not to seek reasons for equivocation. In addition —”