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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“Before I refer to the Bill, I commend the Minister of Justice for already delivering an ambitious legislative programme to reform our justice system, including crucial legislation such as the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021. Although some elements of the Bill that is before the Assembly today have been dropped to aid its progression, it is, nonetheless, an important step forward in improving the justice system and ensuring that it protects vulnerable victims. I hope that the remaining intended elements of the Bill that are not before us today can be delivered in the miscellaneous provisions Bill.”
“Until recently, several thousand defaulters went to prison each year for short periods, often for relatively minor offences. We must do all that we can to keep people out of the justice system. In addition to the points that I made earlier regarding custodial sentences, it is prudent not to ignore the obvious impact on police resources. <BR /> <BR />In opening the debate, the Minister explained the background rationale and the process involved in the changes being brought forward, and we are grateful for that. I support the amendments to the Justice Act and urge others to do the same.”
“It is vital that we support those who have not committed serious offences and who have ceased offending, because, once the custodial sentence cycle is entered into, they are more susceptible to repeat offending. <BR /> <BR />The Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (Relevant Benefits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 creates an entirely new regime for the collection and enforcement of financial penalties. It creates collection officers whose function will be to operate and enforce collection orders, as imposed by the courts. The changes to fine collection and enforcement will continue to significantly reduce the number of people who go to prison for fine default, with the addition of universal credit into the system and the list of relevant benefits.”
“On behalf of the Alliance Party, I join others in supporting the order, which allows for deductions to be made from universal credit when a fine or a compensation order has been imposed on a person by a court to meet the sums due in respect of such fines and compensation orders. <BR /> <BR />As I said, my comments will be brief. They will relate to the collection and enforcement of financial penalties. I will also refer to associated matters, such as the fact that, as a member of the Policing Board, I am all too familiar with statistics surrounding the likelihood of those who fall into the justice system reoffending. For many years, significant numbers of fine defaulters have ended up in prison for non-payment of their fines or other financial penalties.”
“Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, you and others will be glad to know that I, too, will be brief. I am not sure that I can match the brevity of the previous two speeches, but I will try.”
“Those charities are national organisations whose headquarters could be in GB — for example, the British Heart Foundation — but which operate in Northern Ireland and are governed by the law of another jurisdiction. I say to the Minister that I hope that progress will be made soon to enable mutual recognition of those charities. Many of them do incredible work and employ valued staff and volunteers. It would be great to have them formally recognised here. <BR /> <BR />The Bill will fix an issue that has been causing charities and funding bodies much concern. The Department has, thankfully, confirmed that no additional paperwork will be required from charities that have already been through the registration process. The registration stands, as this legislation retrospectively confirms their status. I support the Bill.”
“Finally, it provides a power to introduce a registration threshold at some point in the future via regulations that will be subject to the draft affirmative procedure. <BR /> <BR />As I said, Alliance supports the legislation introduced by the Minister. It is important that Northern Ireland has its own charities register, and charities should be confident in the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. The Bill clearly confirms which decisions may be delegated to staff and, if not taken by staff, who will take decisions. The Bill deals with charities that are headquartered in Northern Ireland; it does not deal with the so-called 167 charities.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill also introduces fresh appeal rights, as stipulated in schedule 3 to the Act, applicable from the date of Royal Assent, for decisions that are made lawful by the Bill. It expressly states that the rendering of registration decisions lawful by the Bill will not impose a duty on charities to retrospectively provide annual reports and accounts in accordance with Part 8 of the Act. It also expressly states that, where a charity has sought and been given a subsequent decision, it will supersede any previous decision that is made lawful by the Bill. It also provides a power for future delegation to commission staff, provided that it is set out in a scheme of delegation to be approved by the Department.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill contains three substantive clauses that amend the 2008 Act with retrospective effect to render previous decisions taken by staff of the Charity Commission lawful, where staff members' authority to take the decisions depended on the commission's having delegated statutory power or duty. It carves out decisions that are the subject of ongoing litigation or were taken under sections 22(6) and 24(1) and orders made under sections 33 to 36, so that those are not subject to the amendment, thereby providing individuals' rights under articles 6 and 8 and article 1 of protocol 1 under the European Convention on Human Rights. Such decisions and orders will, therefore, remain unlawful.”
“It is vital that that legal issue is resolved and that the legislation introduced by the Minister fixes the problem and enables the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland to continue with its work. It is important that all charities, funding bodies and others have confidence in the decision-making role of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and that all charities approved for registration have met the requirements of the rigorous application process and continue to provide the necessary records confirming that standards are being upheld.”
“On behalf of Alliance, I support the Charities Bill, which has been brought to the House by the Minister. As we know, in February 2020, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision made in the High Court in the case of McKee and Others versus the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. That upheld the legal challenge to the delegation of decision-making powers by the commission to members of its staff. That, effectively, invalidated much of the work of the Charity Commission up to May 2019, including its investigative work and programme of registering charities. We, of course, note that the decisions made by staff were not found to be incorrect: the case highlighted the delegation of decision-making to staff by the charity commissioners as the issue.”
“Can the Minister give the House further information on her Department's assessment of community plans for housing and how finance will be allocated to ensure that all constituencies have a fair allocation of social housing going forward?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement and the acknowledgement of the fact that more can be done to promote our waterways and their potential. In that regard, what work is being done by her Department and its agencies with local councils to assist and progress projects in Northern Ireland?”
“With regard to pollution closer to home, it has emerged to me through questions for written answer and other queries that the Environment Agency has taken Northern Ireland's sole water provider, Northern Ireland Water, to court 73 times since 2017 over pollution incidents. What urgent action is the Minister taking to ensure that that public body causes no further pollution incidents in this jurisdiction?”
“I thank the Minister for the answer. Separate to the legislative process, can the Minister confirm that there could be a major negative impact on victims of crime if this legislation does not proceed with some haste?”
“It will be a matter for future Budgets to ensure that that is baselined and built on. <BR /> <BR />We are also aware of progress made on the victims' pension issue, through the Department of Justice, but there remains concern that the appropriate budgetary support is still awaited from the UK Government. <BR /> <BR />With those matters in mind, I support the Bill today. I hope that the Minister will be able to reflect on some of the concerns when he responds.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. I agree. I also agree that Brexit brought additional challenges. Those are matters that the Policing Board will look at very closely as they emerge, in conjunction with the Chief Constable, the Minister and, of course, the Committee. <BR /> <BR />As I was saying, the finance package accompanying the document falls well short of the amount required. The Department's bid for additional funding towards the NDNA commitment is welcome, but we know that around £40 million per annum would be required in the budget to allow the Chief Constable to recruit the number of additional officers that he requires. Recruitment would take time, so additional funding would not be an immediate panacea for police numbers, but there should be a commitment to fulfil NDNA agreements and commitments.”
“Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, you and other Members may be aware that there has been an announcement of an intention to increase police numbers to 7,000 and to 7,100 shortly thereafter. However, the funding package that accompanied the 'New Decade, New Approach' document falls well short of the amount that is needed to deliver that priority. Therefore, the delivery of an increase in police officer numbers to 7,500 is largely dependent on the availability of Executive funding.”
“I support the Bill. I will make some brief comments in addition to those that were made by Alliance colleagues earlier. In my case, the comments relate to justice matters. Before I begin, I should declare, as I have done before, my membership of the Northern Ireland Policing Board. <BR /> <BR />I briefly commend the Justice Minister on the work of her Department in fulfilling New Decade, New Approach commitments, including the delivery of the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Act 2021. Members will know that further Bills are planned. <BR /> <BR />Due to budgetary constraints, there has, however, been a significant challenge to the outstanding NDNA commitment to increase police officer numbers to 7,500. In turn, that has led to a fear that we could end up with a reduction, rather than an increase, in numbers.”
“It is not only appropriate but absolutely necessary that suitable legislation and codes of practice are in place to enable and enhance future success. <BR /> <BR />From a law enforcement perspective, I support the strengthening of the Proceeds of Crime Act in Northern Ireland through the four orders that are before the Assembly. In addition, the support from across the House for the Minister and the motions that she has brought before us is very welcome. I support the motions.”
“Although good progress has been made, we are still well aware that countering the lingering illegal persuasive nature of paramilitarism requires a long-term and genuinely collaborative approach across government, working closely with community partners. As a Policing Board member, I put it on record that I am committed to doing all that I can to disrupt and prevent organised criminality. It is completely unacceptable for this coercive and controlling influence and these structures to try to prevail or operate in our society. <BR /> <BR />Details of significant interventions and successes against organised crime by the NCA, Border Force and the PSNI have all been well publicised in recent weeks, and we welcome the measures that have been taken in the interests of public safety.”
“The Proceeds of Crime Act is a UK-wide Act that is designed to provide law enforcement with the tools to recover the proceeds of crime and deny criminals the opportunity to accumulate assets that have been secured by illegal means. It is an integral part of our response to tackling organised criminality. I am a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, where those matters were recently discussed. <BR /> <BR />Organised crime, as Members have pointed out, causes harm, misery and fear in our communities. Tackling that has remained a key priority throughout the Minister's tenure, and I commend her for the progress that she has made on protecting individuals, communities and businesses in Northern Ireland from organised crime.”
“I thank the Minister for the statement and for the information on the agreements reached and the advisory groups that have been set up. As my question leans towards the issue of violence against women, I want to refer briefly to the fact that there are further developments today in the Sarah Everard case in GB. I want to put on record that I am thinking of Sarah's family and friends. <BR /> <BR />In respect of cooperation on issues on this island, can the Minister give us any further information on the cooperation taking place between agencies that might assist in dispelling rape myths and addressing, through greater public awareness, the issue of consent?”
“<BR /> <BR />In closing, I want to issue a reminder that climate change does not recognise boundaries, nor does it differentiate between communities. Now is the time for us, together, to set new measures and take big steps. I commend the motion to the House, and I oppose the amendment.”
“That will help to deliver a range of important public policy objectives at the same time as providing resilient, sustainable and productive farm businesses. <BR /> <BR />I repeat that the Alliance Party remains absolutely committed to nature-friendly farming and will be a champion for schemes that, through a new environmental land management system, will reward farmers for their efforts. We will support the original motion, and we will not support the amendment, because it focuses on productivity over the environment, it credits departmental work that has not, as yet, reached the stage that some of us would like it to be at, and, quite bizarrely, those who tabled the amendment have not sought, at various stages, in Committee meetings and discussions to highlight the need for such amendments.”
“That will help us to meet our targets to plant 30,000 hectares of woodland by 2025, to create and restore peatland, to protect 30% of UK land by 2030 and to reach the net zero targets that we aspire to. <BR /> <BR />Nature-friendly farming is not only better for nature but ensures that our land remains productive so that we can go on producing food forever. Nature is good for business and is essential for our future. There is increasing recognition that environmental production practices are essential for robust supply chains; in short, to ensure that we have good food on the table. There is a massive opportunity to roll out nature-friendly farming at scale as part of a future domestic agricultural policy.”
“<BR /> <BR />The central plank of our future policy must include environmental land management and sustainable farming incentives to pay farmers for actions that they take to manage their land in an environmentally sustainable way. That could include schemes to encourage catchment-sensitive farming, integrated pest management and sensitive hedgerow management. Local nature recovery will pay farmers for actions that support that recovery, creating space for natural habitats on farms and encouraging cooperation between farmers. The landscape recovery component will support the delivery of landscape-scale projects to deliver ecosystem recovery for longer-term land use change.”
“Agriculture Committee colleagues also mentioned that the Committee has worked with the Nature Friendly Farming Network on a motion to protect our natural environment — we have it here today — and to tackle the climate emergency, while providing a profitable future for the sector. Future agricultural policies, which is an issue that I raised at Question Time recently, must enable a transition, whilst providing nutritious food and increased farm resilience. Farmers who contribute to sequestration and take invaluable actions in the battle against climate change must, therefore, be assisted. We need new and better ways of rewarding them for their efforts as they continue to make progress. I note that the Minister responded very positively and talked about making bids in that regard when I asked that question previously.”
“That commitment was outlined recently in my party's policy document 'Green New Deal', which my colleague Stewart Dickson mentioned. The document describes the essential role that farmers play in driving nature's recovery. I have, with colleagues, met the Ulster Farmers' Union on the matter, so I am acutely aware of the huge efforts already being made by farmers to tackle environmental challenges. <BR /> <BR />Agriculture was, as we said, the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions for Northern Ireland in 2018, at 27%. That share, and these are the important figures, is expected to increase to 35% by 2030 as a result of the improved performances of other sectors, and with a 3% reduction in agricultural emissions. So, setting the context and setting the proportion here is very important.”
“She referenced the Climate Change Bill that is already before the House. <BR /> <BR />I turn now to speak as the Alliance Party agriculture, environment and rural affairs spokesperson. I feel compelled to remind Members that nearly 30% of Northern Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions are from agriculture, compared with 10% in the rest of the UK. That reflects the importance of agriculture to our economy as well as the demand for quality food. <BR /> <BR />With around 25,000 farms in Northern Ireland, most of which are small and family run, the Alliance Party is committed to supporting our farmers in embracing environmentally beneficial farming practices, reducing their carbon footprint and better using and protecting natural resources and biodiversity.”
“Patsy McGlone talked of farmers willingly playing their part in tackling the climate emergency, and said that many of them are also great advocates for nature-friendly farming. <BR /> <BR />Rosemary Barton mentioned the strength of nature-friendly farming and her belief that agriculture has to be sustainable as well as profitable. She helpfully mentioned birds and biodiversity, and related those to tourism and recreation. Maurice Bradley made a telling comment that farmers are pivotal to delivering on environmental outcomes. I am sure that Members across the House would agree with that. Emma Sheerin talked about biodiversity in the Sperrins, and its link to farming life there. Clare Bailey, in supporting the motion but opposing the amendment, said that this is a time of opportunity and change but also of challenges.”
“I start by thanking Members for their contributions. I will reflect briefly on those contributions, but I also want to strive to dedicate sufficient time to the intent of the motion. <BR /> <BR />The Committee Chair, Declan McAleer, in opening the debate, reminded us of the importance of the agri-food sector to Northern Ireland. It is one of our greatest assets, sustaining approximately 100,000 jobs and adding £1·5 billion to the Northern Ireland economy as well as, of course, providing high-quality food. <BR /> <BR />William Irwin, in moving the amendment, referenced previous comments by the Minister about working towards more resilience. He also spoke of the Climate Change Bill.”
“<BR /> <BR />Again, I thank the Minister for his contribution, and I am pleased to support the Supply resolution motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will move on to matters relating to justice. Funding to progress outstanding New Decade, New Approach targets for policing are welcome. I note the significant unmet pressures in the Department, and I commend the Department of Justice for securing the additional resource to, first, secure 7,000 officers for the PSNI and, secondly, to enable the police to begin recruiting an additional 100 officers this year. It will be a matter for future Budgets to ensure that that is baselined and built upon. We have made some progress but not as much as we might like, but given the current financial situation and other pressures, it is commendable that the Department is at least able to start moving in the right direction as opposed to regressing, which might have been the case in such a challenging year.”
“<BR /> <BR />As I said, I will keep my comments brief, but I must raise in the Chamber again the pressing need to dramatically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and to avoid the devastating tipping points that would shatter the global economy and pose existential human threats. This is a crucial juncture in our history. As we get back on the path to recovery from the pandemic, we must integrate solutions to both crises in a coherent response. We must take the opportunity to create green jobs and to propel the economy towards sustainable growth and increased resilience. It is, therefore, vital that high-line budgetary provision is targeted specifically at environmental protection and tackling the climate emergency. It would appear that we are not quite at that stage at this juncture.”
“I thank the Minister for his comments. I rise on behalf of the Alliance Party to join colleagues in supporting the motion on the Supply resolution and to make some brief observations as a member of the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee. As a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, I will make some additional comments on matters relating to justice. <BR /> <BR />As other Members said, this has been an incredibly difficult year, but, despite the challenges that we have faced, as we emerge from the catastrophic coronavirus crisis, our immediate priority must be, as I have said before in the House, avoiding further disasters.”
“She has also, when speaking publicly as Minister and as party leader, defended the right to peaceful protest. <BR /> <BR />This has been said here before, and it is something else that is worth repeating: policing is a difficult job at the best of times, but it is especially so during a public health pandemic — policing in unprecedented policing circumstances — and that has proved to be the case. All of us in the House, particularly those of us who serve on the Policing Board, must do all that we can, working together, to build back confidence, build on that confidence and work with the police for the good of all people in Northern Ireland.”
“At the Northern Ireland Policing Board, membership of which I should also declare today, in the House and in public, I have previously questioned the difference in policing approach at two types of demonstration on two separate Saturdays on 6 June and 13 June 2020. It is perfectly valid to make the point here again today that consistency in these matters is key, both in policing approach, in the first instance, and in building and maintaining that confidence in policing. We know that there are legislative and process limits to what the Department of Justice, the Department of Health, the police and, indeed, the PPS can do in respect of rescinding fines already issued. The Justice Minister, whom Mr Carroll referenced, has explained that situation publicly.”
“On behalf of the Alliance Party, I add to the thanks expressed to Mr Carroll for bringing the Matter of the Day to the House. The PPS decision not to prosecute the Black Lives Matter protesters, who were exercising their human right to protest in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry last June, is the correct path of action. The demonstrations were, as we all know, peaceful and conducted in a manner that sought to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID. <BR /> <BR />Work now has to be done to improve relations with the police and build back confidence and trust in policing all communities in Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Minister for that answer and for the specifics on South Antrim. What action is being taken in South Antrim and more generally, in addition to the measures that she outlined, to encourage young adults aged 16 to 24 to apply? Are any incentives being offered in order to enhance that encouragement to apply?”
“I thank the Minister for confirming that he intends to introduce said Bill. Will there be specific emissions targets for the agriculture sector in the Minister's Bill? If so, what support is envisaged for that sector to assist it in meeting those targets?”
“I thank the Minister for the detail that she has given thus far about the victims' payment scheme. Some victims will have died before being able to make an application to the scheme. Sadly, others will pass away before it becomes operational. What provision is in place to deal with those victims?”
“My question has just been asked, but I will keep trying.”
“We have learned many lessons from the pandemic, but distressing lessons have been that high-impact threats must be acted upon in a timely fashion and that delay is costly. We must act now. The decisions that we make in our response to the global health pandemic, and the actions that we take to rebuild our economies, will determine whether humanity succeeds or fails. It is vital that we work together to reduce, urgently, our carbon emissions, and mitigate the impact of climate change. I commend the motion.”
“The Alliance Party is committed to having a just, green recovery and an urgent and radical overhaul of the policies and practices that have hindered our progress to date. <BR /> <BR />Alliance Party colleagues, who will speak later in the debate, will give further detail on the departmental responsibilities. In tabling the motion, our intention is to highlight the urgent need for a green new deal that epitomises environmental justice for front-line communities, especially under-resourced groups, and calls for a just transition to a clean economy.”
“A green new deal will recognise that we need to build resilience in the face of worsening and more frequent climate-related disasters that marginalise the communities that often bear the brunt of those disasters. <BR /> <BR />We need serious investment in our infrastructure and transportation systems. We need to invest in green roof technology and innovative urban architecture to address not just the carbon emissions of the agricultural and architectural fields but the intersectional issues of food security and climate change. Any green new deal is not sector-specific. All sectors have a major part to play in tackling our carbon emissions. <BR /> <BR />As we seek to recover from COVID-19, I hope that all Departments and sectors will work together to protect the environment and existing jobs and to bring forward new green jobs.”
“Investing in infrastructure and industry, securing clean air and water, climate and community resilience, healthy food, access to nature and a sustainable environment for all are vital components and required actions. <BR /> <BR />We know that developing countries have a limited capacity to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. We can and must contribute our fair share to enable mitigation and adaptation activities that uphold environmental justice across the globe. Developed countries can help developing countries in that regard. Developing countries are on the front line of climate change the most, though they have contributed the least to the causes.”
“<BR /> <BR />Experts are increasingly stressing the need for a major investment-led green recovery, because addressing the climate emergency goes hand in hand with economic and social transformation. The fight against the climate emergency requires more than environmental policy tweaks. The gravity of the situation requires the green new deal to demand urgent, radical change on how we make policy in the longer term for our security and collective prosperity. That should be our vision for an urgent, radical overhaul of the policies and practices that hinder our progress and exploit our people and planet. Going forward, we must grasp the enormous opportunities for a sustainable green economy with a bespoke green new deal for a better future.”
“<BR /> <BR />We need a vision for a united community: an inclusive, dynamic, prosperous and sustainable Northern Ireland, where we can all thrive, enjoy living freely and securely, and be treated with dignity in a region that is rich with opportunities and biodiversity. We have a chance for change: change for the good of our people and our planet. We have an opportunity to deliver a recovery plan that better protects us in the future. There is historical precedent that fiscal stimulus measures are sound prescriptions in a crisis. We need serious investment to mitigate and adapt to climate change, but it will cost us more both financially and existentially in the long term if we do not act now.”
“The Alliance Party's green new deal not only rejects that notion but brings forward proposals to create 50,000 secure green new jobs by stimulating our economy and reskilling workers. It is about preserving our planet for future generations, achieving the greenhouse gas and toxic emission reductions that are needed to stay under 1·5°C, restoring critical infrastructure, the repurposing of housing, expanding access to transport and having an all-encompassing approach to ensure that no community is left behind in the process towards aggressive climate goals that will transform the economy.”