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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“I state at the outset my membership of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, as I am likely to refer to policing-related matters in my speech. <BR /> <BR />I will start by reflecting on the fact that the challenging time frame of just one year to negotiate a comprehensive free trade agreement was almost impossible from the outset and, of course, was made worse by the coronavirus pandemic. The UK Government, devolved Assembly and EU have rightly diverted their focus and resources into dealing with the crisis, leaving an extensive list of questions surrounding Brexit unanswered and insufficient time to extensively scrutinise any deal.”
“In that regard, on behalf of the Alliance Party, I, on this occasion, support the regulations, and I urge other parties to work collectively and progressively, with our obligations to the people of Northern Ireland in mind.”
“<BR /> <BR />It surprises me that there are those who, even at this late stage, seek to senselessly block these important matters that relate to our environment and to allow such laws to potentially fall by the wayside. It could be that when the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone spoke — she is another Committee member — she was simply stating her party's latest position on the matter. However, in doing so, I hope that it considers the consequences carefully. If every party — I say this respectfully — took that stance in opposing necessary statutory rules, we would have great difficulty progressing our legal responsibilities at a very critical period. This is not about whether we like the protocol; it is about putting and keeping processes in place so that essential business and normal operations can continue.”
“We are in urgent need of policies to protect and preserve Northern Ireland's wildlife and habitats from invasive alien species, and Members across the House will recognise that. These regulations are necessary in order to implement restrictions on the movement of species from the regions of the UK and elsewhere into Northern Ireland that could pose a threat to aquaculture, business and the environment. Therefore, the purpose of the statutory rule is to ensure that Northern Ireland's subordinate legislation, which relates to alien and locally absent species and aquaculture, is compatible with the withdrawal agreement and the protocol so that we can operate effectively after the transition period.”
“As pointed out earlier by Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs members, the Committee first considered the named statutory rule last month. At that time, no member of the Committee raised any issues with the regulations. The Committee was on that occasion content with the merits of the policy and agreed that it should move to the next legislative stage. <BR /> <BR />Pressures on biodiversity in Northern Ireland stemming from the impacts of invasive alien species are related to an alarming rate of loss of habitat and species.”
“I thank the junior Minister for that answer. Does he not agree that time has been wasted in the successful implementation of a racial equality strategy, because, even long before COVID, there was too much lag in ensuring that we move forward with working alongside those in our communities and their representative stakeholder organisations?”
“During the COVID-19 period, the Commission surveyed staff on their well-being and on the communications that they had received. I think that we will come to that in a later question. The findings of that survey showed that the vast majority of staff felt that they were able to work effectively from home and were trusted to do so.”
“There is less need for staff to be physically present in Parliament Buildings on Fridays when there is no plenary sitting or Committee business, and, hence, the number of staff working from home can be greater.”
“The figures show that, from a staffing body of just under 345 full-time equivalent members of staff, the nature of their tasks is such that some 290 full-time equivalent members of staff are able to work from home for all or part of the time on their own device or on a device provided by the Commission. <BR /> <BR />The number of staff working from home on a particular day will vary, depending on the nature of Assembly business and on the need for a physical presence in Parliament Buildings. For example, on Mondays and Tuesdays, the number of staff working from home will fall, as there is a need for staff to help facilitate plenary business on those days. Similarly, staff will be needed to facilitate Committee meetings on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week.”
“Thirdly, if the work of the Assembly does not require attendance at Parliament Buildings, members of staff can work from home if their duties are amenable to homeworking. The Commission will continue to ensure that all services required by the Assembly are delivered while safeguarding the health and safety of staff.”
“For that reason and in keeping with the guidance in place at that time, staff with specific underlying medical conditions were not required to travel to work. <BR />As the regulations and guidance have evolved, the underlying criteria that are used to decide whether staff work in Parliament Buildings or at home have remained largely the same. Those are, first, whether the work of the Assembly requires the attendance of members of staff in Parliament Buildings. If so, those members of staff will attend Parliament Buildings safely and securely. That situation arises for staff from a range of business areas. Secondly, if attendance is necessary only on specific days or for part of a week, many business areas have implemented a rota system to ensure coverage of Assembly business while mitigating the risk of COVID-19 infection.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Throughout the pandemic, the Assembly Commission, like other responsible employers and in keeping with all regulations and guidance, has sought to ensure the health and safety of all users of Parliament Buildings, including Assembly staff. Specific measures include visible guidance on the management of risk through effective hand-washing, the implementation of social-distancing measures, an enhanced cleaning regime, and expediting and using a widespread policy of working from home, where that is possible. <BR /> <BR />In the early stages of the response to the pandemic, the Commission was also acutely aware of the specific issue of staff who were at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and the need for them to be particularly stringent in following social-distancing measures.”
“What work is the Department doing on community fibre partnerships to ensure that areas that are not yet included and those that are harder to reach can be included in this or future programmes? I have some such areas in my constituency, and I am sure that the Minster has some in hers.”
“In light of that, as we face more uncertainty on EU exit in the coming days and weeks, I appeal for animal welfare issues to remain a high priority in that regard and for the Department to keep those matters under continual review. <BR /> <BR />On behalf of Alliance, I will say that, as the amendments are technical and do not involve policy changes, I am happy to support them.”
“Speaking first as a member of the AERA Committee, I will say that I am aware that these matters were laid before the Committee for approval and that it considered them and was content with the merits of the policies. DAERA stated that there were no changes to policy since the information was submitted to the Committee. <BR /> <BR />Speaking as the chair and a member of the new Assembly all-party group on animal welfare, I note that the SR provides that investigations into alleged breaches of animal health and welfare obligations arising under either retained EU law or the protocol can continue at the end of the transition period as they do now.”
“It also modifies the regulated species of vegetable plant material, sets conditions with which vegetable plant material must comply and allows the Department to derogate in the event of temporary supply difficulties. <BR /> <BR />The statutory rule is mainly technical; nevertheless, in the run-up to Christmas, it is a useful opportunity to thank DAERA officials for all the work that they have done on our behalf to make legislative preparation for the EU exit process, often in the face of much uncertainty. <BR /> <BR />In closure, speaking on behalf of the Alliance Party, I have no objections to the rules or regulations.”
“I thank the junior Minister for laying out the detail of what is before us. I will speak initially as a member of the AERA Committee. <BR /> <BR />As has been explained, the statutory rule was laid before the Committee. It was content with the merits of the policy and agreed that it should move to the next legislative stage. The SR contains provisions relating to the marketing of ornamental plants and propagating material and vegetable-propagating material other than seed. <BR /> <BR />The statutory instrument will allow DAERA, as the appropriate authority in Northern Ireland, to exercise legislative functions in Northern Ireland after the end of the transition period. It sets out DAERA's powers to set conditions with which ornamental plant material must comply, including set labelling and document requirements for plant material.”
“Thank you, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. May I associate myself and my colleagues with the good wishes expressed to Minister Poots for a full and speedy recovery? <BR /> <BR />I think that the Minister has clarified that what is being talked about is, at the very best, a replication of existing EU arrangements for Canada and Japan. More specifically, from an economic or agricultural perspective, can she tell us whether any data is available to show whether there is any benefit at all for trade or the economy with the new arrangements?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. Cross-border cooperation and policing is a crucial matter at all times, but it is particularly so in the context of Brexit uncertainties. The statement and the planned work programme provided today refer to cooperation on operational engagement, forensics and data exchange. Is similar cooperation taking place at a local level with, for example, neighbourhood teams and district policing teams?”
“I am keen to know whether the Minister can provide any information on the sectors, groups or organisations that she has consulted with on the review.”
“I thank the Minister for her answers on road safety and for the detail given. Whilst I welcome the information on the further roll-out of 20 mph limits outside schools, will the Department pay particular attention to areas that have been raised with it separately, such as Maine Integrated Primary School in Randalstown, which I raised?”
“In the past 24 hours, we have had a stark reminder of Government outcomes falling far short of the needs of victims and a stark reminder that there are thousands of Troubles victims who seek truth and deserve justice. In this most recent case, a public inquiry is necessary owing to public-interest issues, which were highlighted by the Supreme Court. As well as stepping up urgently to address their failings of yesterday, the UK Government must now act to honour the commitments that were made in the Stormont House Agreement to implement a comprehensive process to deal with the past in Northern Ireland, a process through which most legacy issues could be addressed. That remains the most viable and achievable option for victims who are waiting, especially for those for whom time is running out.”
“They have apologised again. That feet-dragging, as I have called it, around the decision leading directly to an article 2-compliant investigation suggests institutional resistance to full discovery of the facts. That further delay, with talk of review upon review — a legacy review, an ombudsman review and a policing review — adds yet further elements to a process that is now decades old. We could refer to those further processes or reviews as bringing their own resource issues or demands. We could guess as to the additional time that they will take and the additional stresses that they will bring. <BR /> <BR />There are other, more relevant factors in all of this, however. There remains in place the existing Supreme Court ruling. There remain, more importantly, the needs of victims.”
“<BR /> <BR />The frustration and anger at the UK Government's decision will be shared more widely, and that is because it is difficult to see how this outcome can be regarded as in any way consistent with the 2019 ruling by the UK Supreme Court. Today, we can see that yesterday's announcement is unlikely to be the end of the matter, and the family, with others, will continue their campaign for truth. The UK Government had already accepted that collusion was apparent in this case, and they have done so again.”
“It should go without saying that it is a sad set of circumstances that brings us here today, but it is probably worth repeating that in order to bring balance and measure to the discussion. <BR /> <BR />The announcement yesterday evening by the Secretary of State appears, to some of us at least, to be further foot-dragging and yet another diversion from the discovery of the facts. The failure of the UK Government to establish a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane falls short of the Supreme Court ruling requiring an article 2-compliant investigation. It is a failure that brings delay to the Finucane family, who have shown great dignity in their pursuit of an outcome. Today, to Geraldine Finucane and her family, we can say only that our initial reaction is that we share their frustration and offer our sympathy.”
“Can the deputy First Minister confirm that all Departments have been working collectively to ensure that they are ready for the post-transition period and to deal with all possible outcomes of the negotiations?”
“Thank you very much indeed, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. Will the Minister provide an update on the panel that was due to be set up following RHI to investigate ministerial conduct?”
“I thank the Minister for that answer. Can the Minister provide an update on the number of applications to the localised restrictions support scheme and the number of payments in progress?”
“I hope that the Minister, the Justice Committee and Members of the House can reflect on the matters that I have raised. More than anything else in relation to this debate, I hope that neither our words nor our actions, as the Bill progresses, will divert attention from the original purpose of the Bill and the needs of the victims.”
“We must be careful with the additional capital requirement on time frames for the planning, procurement and delivery of such systems and how that might adversely affect progress on the eagerly awaited aspects of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />Therefore, my position is that I hope for progress, at later stages, that will reflect the practicalities around the original requirements of amendment No 21. I am opposed to the departmental direct delivery theme of amendment No 22, which is for the reasons that were given previously around accountability and because we expect independent delivery by the agencies involved. I believe that the intention of amendment No 23 can be met through existing resources, and that should be further explored, along with other matters on which a commitment has been made to discuss them further.”
“The suggestion in amendment No 23 of an additional oversight role is something that could potentially be delivered through existing structures. That would avoid additional time and financial resource, and it requires further examination. <BR /> <BR />I am hopeful that the Minister and the Committee can look further at the details around the desirable levels of training and at the most effective methods of training, at later stages. That could include scoping the existing training capacity, which is something that the Deputy Chair of the Committee referred to a moment ago. <BR /> <BR />Speaking generally, I urge caution around amendments that require considerable IT system investment by the PSNI or other criminal justice agencies.”
“I thank the Member for the intervention. I will not rehearse all the detail of the PSNI's operational independence under the control of the Chief Constable. However, I should point out that all of us in the House who are members of the Executive's parties have representatives on the Policing Board, and we can challenge our wishes on delivery through them. <BR /> <BR />I have covered the reference to the Department bearing responsibility for training, funding and delivery. There is precedent and established practice that agencies have to prepare for, train for and adapt to new and emerging legislation. There is also policing and criminal justice oversight responsibility through, for example, the Criminal Justice Inspection. That can highlight training need or additional training required, and that has been done previously.”
“That is very welcome, because we know that the situation might well be that the practice of practical, in-the-field or inter-agency training biannually could be more effective than basic online training annually. <BR /> <BR />Additionally, the amendment suggests that the Department of Justice has the power to direct the Police Service of Northern Ireland on that training. As we know, that is not the case. The PSNI reports on such matters to the Northern Ireland Policing Board, whether in full board or through its relevant committees, and it is that body that should work with the PSNI on training. Ministerial or departmental control of those issues is undeliverable and undesirable. Reference to the Department bearing responsibility for training, funding, delivery and reporting for other agencies —.”
“Indeed, she has been helpful on that issue in her responses to me and other Members who have asked questions in the Chamber. I also express my gratitude to members of the Committee for their scrutiny and for the detail that they have brought to the debate. <BR /> <BR />In my remarks, I will refer mainly to the amendments dealing with training and oversight. Training is undoubtedly fundamental to delivering appropriate outcomes on the offence, but amendment No 21 on training does not stipulate the quality or nature of that training. That could lead to the most basic level of training, with it perhaps being as little as online exercises, which, as I hope Members will agree, is not what we want to see. I acknowledge that the Chair indicated earlier that the Committee will look at it again.”
“Before I begin, I declare an interest as a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, which oversees the Police Service of Northern Ireland and would therefore oversee some of the actions suggested in the group of amendments to which I speak. <BR /> <BR />I take an opportunity at the beginning, as one of the Members who did not have the chance to contribute earlier in the debate, to express my thanks to the Minister for bringing this Bill to the Assembly and to the departmental officials for assisting in doing that. The Minister has paid particular attention to the issue of domestic abuse, and she should be commended for following through on her pledge to endeavour to deliver on it through this Bill. In addition to her determination to deal with the issue, she has taken on board the incredibly destructive practice of coercive control.”
“In relation to inspections at ports, has any progress been made on the provision of a common veterinary area and the medium- to long-term prospects for that?”
“I thank the Minister for his detailed statement. Point 13 seems to indicate a preference for a bespoke Northern Ireland agriculture Act. Given the statement by the Minister, the reality of the importance of agriculture to our economy, the particular quality of our farm product and the problem of rising ammonia levels, could such an Act be developed to deal with those issues? Are there plans in place to deal with that and, if not, could such plans be put in place?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and welcome the work being done by the environment work sector in setting up the subgroups on marine litter and marine environment. More specifically, is any work being done or being planned to deal with the environmental risk posed by end-of-life or abandoned vessels?”
“I cannot support the motion, but I will support the amendment, which offers schedule and structure to buy more time to consult properly with the industry. On behalf of the Alliance Party, I support the amendment.”
“Northern Ireland Environment Agency figures, and other analysis, show that ammonia emission levels from local agricultural sources are a problem. I do not seek to deny that. I suggest that we set frameworks, structures and goals with the sector. It is essential that we support our agriculture industry and make necessary changes to tackle ammonia emissions, with the industry on board. <BR /> <BR />The ammonia problem is not exclusively, or generally, caused by traditional family farming on a small scale, but, mostly, by larger developments and intensive processes, such as large-scale pig farms — something that I know a bit about in my constituency. We might, therefore, seek to look at scale as well as practice.”
“<BR /> <BR />Effective measures to reduce emissions of ammonia into the atmosphere have already been trialled. A range of methods through which it is possible to reduce emissions of ammonia by at least 50% have been developed and field-tested. They include mitigation strategies such as separation of sensitive receptors from local sources and the use of shelter belts to enhance dispersion through increasing turbulence and capture of ammonia close to source. Those actions are already taking place in the agriculture sector, and valuable work is being done by such organisations as the Nature Friendly Farming Network and the Dairy Council Northern Ireland. As has been mentioned, the Department is also working on an ammonia action plan. We await and urge further progress on that.”
“If the motion and its outworkings were to succeed, farmers who have plans to upgrade existing facilities could, potentially, face a backlog of farm planning applications in Northern Ireland caused by questions, perhaps, understandably, about their environmental impact. That is a problem not unknown to those in the sector who faced a similar backlog in recent times when around 166 applications were stuck in the system as officials tried to agree how to assess them for ammonia emissions. On that occasion, ministerial intervention was required. That reinforces the need for consultation and careful consideration before we confront that sector, without warning, with restrictive measures, especially when they are already facing uncertainties and potential problems surrounding the EU exit process and all of the issues involved in that.”
“The motion, if successfully followed through, would introduce change, with immediacy — there is no doubt about that — but with no consultation with, or preparation for, those most seriously impacted. <BR /> <BR />As has been mentioned, it comes as no surprise that the planning moratorium, essentially, that is being held with the Infrastructure Minister present will have a deliberate focus on agriculture matters. That is because we have to consider the potential severe and immediate impacts on our crucial agriculture sector — those who contribute such a proportionally high amount to our economy, and who are responsible for putting food on our tables.”
“Other Members have pointed out, and it is worth repeating, that Northern Ireland ammonia levels rose by around 20% in 2010, compared with around 5% in the rest of the UK, and, more crucially, 98% of designated special areas of conservation are exceeding critical levels of pollutants. That can seriously impact such protected sites as peatlands. Additionally, ammonia emissions can cause the depletion of our treasured natural landscape and lead to marked reductions in plant biodiversity. There is no doubt that action is required to address the issue. In the context of that reality, I understand the principle of the motion, but we need to schedule and plan the suggested changes to make the motion practical for those most impacted.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. We are, more than ever, in a time when we need workable solutions to complex jurisdictional issues. I note that there are frameworks in place to deal with emergencies, and we have been reminded in recent days of the importance of that. <BR /> <BR />On a different theme, has there been a refreshed or renewed effort to promote the tourism product on this island by, for example, examining interchangeable or transferable angling licences to assist in the post-COVID recovery?”
“I also thank the Minister for the statement and the detail therein, including the reassuring cooperation envisaged on marine waters, as well as the joint programme of enforcement and collaboration on environmental crime. In that regard, how will the proposed Office for Environmental Protection, which will have only one Northern Ireland representative, be able to play a part in intergovernmental arrangements that are already making progress here?”
“Will the Minister confirm whether the £100 million city deal complementary fund is open and, if so, how many bids have been received?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Can the Minister provide an update on whether there is likely to be increased borrowing powers for the Northern Ireland Executive to try to tackle COVID-19 and to assist in recovery measures?”
“Since the introduction of the UK Climate Change Act, greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 27% across the UK, but, for Northern Ireland, emissions have fallen by 9%. It is imperative that we introduce legislation to protect our environment and halt the climate crisis. I am glad that progress is being made in that regard through other means. <BR /> <BR />With reservations about UK Government actions as expressed, I am happy, in the context of this jurisdiction, to support the order.”
“Perhaps, the Minister would reflect on that when he makes his winding-up speech. <BR /> <BR />The UK Government's language on that linkage has simply become less committed given the uncertainties around the negotiations. A carbon tax could be an alternative method of controlling those emissions. We are the only region in the UK and Ireland without a specific net zero emissions target. Despite laudable attempts, we have not reduced our greenhouse gas emissions in line with scientific advice.”