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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“— the reasons why, as we have been challenged on previously, we do not —.”
“I thank you, Principal Deputy Speaker, and I rise, on behalf of the Alliance Party, to move the amendment. I hope that I will also —”
“I trust that Melissa McCullough will be a highly successful commissioner. In fact, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, I very much hope that she will have nothing to do at all during her term of office, once, of course, outstanding matters are progressed. It has been mentioned already, but I say to all Members that adherence by Members to the code of conduct is entirely in our own hands. It therefore falls to us to ensure that Dr McCullough does not have too much to do. <BR /> <BR />I hope that Members from across the Chamber will support the motion, and I commend to the House the appointment of Dr Melissa McCullough as Commissioner for Standards.”
“John O'Dowd also spoke in support of the motion. On behalf of the Commission, I thank Members for their support.”
“Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, I am delighted that you were able to make that response before I had the opportunity to. I am sure that the Member's comments in the intervention will be picked up by the Chair of the Standards and Privileges Committee, who is here and who I thank for supporting the motion. I do not think that I need to go into much detail, but I thank Patsy McGlone for his support too. He spoke of the openness and transparency expected of Members in their work both here and outside this place.”
“I repeat Mr Butler's thanks to Mr Gerard Elias for the assistance that he provided to the recruitment panel. The role of Commissioner for Standards is crucial to how we are perceived as MLAs. Having a credible and experienced person undertake this role is hugely important. In that regard, I again pay tribute to the former commissioner, Mr Douglas Bain, for his work, which covered the investigation of a number of high profile and contentious complaints. I will now turn to comments that were made by Members. Sinéad Ennis spoke as —”
“Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, thank you. I have the role of winding on the debate. I will do that and respond to the small number of responses that we have had. Before I do so, I will add to the comments that were made in welcoming my colleague Stewart Dickson back to the Chamber. I am very glad to see him here. Principal Deputy Speaker, you will, of course, understand that some of us saw more of him than he might have wished in the past number of months. We thank him for his contributions then and are glad to have him back. <BR /> <BR />I thank Members for their contributions. While neither me nor my Assembly Commission colleague Mr Butler, who moved the motion, were on the original recruitment panel, we, as members of the Commission, are assured that an effective, rigorous and fair recruitment competition was undertaken.”
“Thank you for your patience, Temporary Speaker. I also thank the Minister for his perseverance. In his statement, which we are grateful for, the Minister touched on the resumption of cancer services. It has been reported that cancer diagnoses are down by somewhere around two thirds, and Cancer Research UK says that as many as 200,000 people across the UK are not being screened for cancers such as bowel, breast or cervical cancer. Can we have any more information on what is being done to prevent the non-detection of a high number of early cancers?”
“I begin by associating myself with the thanks given by my colleague Kellie Armstrong to the Minister's departmental staff and healthcare providers everywhere. We truly are grateful. The Minister is to be commended for the way in which he shared his thanks with those front-line staff. <BR /> <BR />We are all mindful of the autonomy of GP practices, and the Minister will be aware of the struggles that the public face in trying to get GP appointments. Is it likely that face-to-face appointments will resume, bearing in mind the difficulties faced by those, particularly many of our elderly population, who cannot easily access online or telephone services?”
“Can the Minister give any clarification or information on how or if there is a joined-up Executive approach to this? For example, is the Department for the Economy working with employers? Is the Department of Finance working with holiday insurance companies? Are both or either working with the Department of Health?”
“I thank Mr Humphrey for asking the original question. <BR /> <BR />Given that we know that one of the sites is on the same piece of ground as a block of private apartments and immediately abuts other properties, is it clear whether costs incurred by residents thus far can be refunded to them through action taken against the illegal operator?”
“This is an interdepartmental issue requiring interdepartmental and cross-cutting solutions. I am pleased that the Committee tabled the motion and I am pleased to support it.”
“<BR /> <BR />The climate change Act, which is, as I said, incredibly delayed, must deliver meaningful improvement and implement mechanisms for ensuring that future environmental improvement plans are sufficiently ambitious and are relevant specifically to Northern Ireland. I have today, quite deliberately, leveled no criticism directly at the Department. There have been, as we all know, competing demands and periods without devolution, and there is remaining uncertainty about post-EU arrangements. It must be recognised as well, though, that the recent green growth strategy from the Department was a welcome step forward in environmental awareness and protection. <BR /> <BR />The motion is in the spirit of such protection, addressing our climate challenge and safeguarding our future.”
“If we have not reduced the UK's net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2030 — the position of the Alliance Party — we will not be able to pay our full part in avoiding devastating tipping points that would shatter the global economy and pose existential human threats. <BR /> <BR />This is the most critical decade for Northern Ireland. There is urgent need for new policies that will protect the environment. We must embrace the challenge and legislate for ambitious net-zero outcomes, with interim and sectoral targets, and we must invest in zero-carbon infrastructure and technologies.”
“Locally, we are experiencing changing and variable weather and climate patterns, increases in flooding and changes in the natural environment, habitats and biodiversity in these islands, and these will only increase in magnitude if action is not taken urgently to reduce carbon emissions. <BR /> <BR />As the only region in the UK and Ireland without a specific net-zero emissions target, and despite laudable attempts, we have not reduced our greenhouse gas emissions in line with scientific advice. Since the introduction of the UK Climate Change Act 2008, greenhouse gas emissions have fallen across the UK by 27%, but, in Northern Ireland, by only 9%.”
“On behalf of the Alliance Party, I support the need for a specific climate change Act for Northern Ireland. I stress the urgency of that commitment, a commitment that was made in the New Decade, New Approach agreement six months ago. I therefore support the motion as tabled by the Committee. <BR /> <BR />The urgency and importance of the issue and the required commitment mean that I am not in a position where I can support the amendment, and neither can my colleagues. The amendment, for those of us in Alliance at least, falls short on detailing the desired outcome and, whether intentional or not, dilutes the motion's intention of urgent action. The world is facing a climate emergency, with potentially disastrous consequences. The impacts of climate change are already being felt by some of the most vulnerable regions in our world.”
“On behalf of the Alliance Party, I am very happy to support the scheme. I thank the Minister for his statement and the detail that he gave today. I also thank the departmental officials for what has been delivered by the scheme thus far.”
“I support the sea fish industry scheme as announced today. The benefits and outworkings of the scheme have been well rehearsed in the debate already and I do not intend to repeat them, but I should put on record that the Department has worked hard — I know this from the AERA Committee — to alleviate the detrimental impacts of COVID-19 on the fishing industry and the market for whitefish, shellfish and prawn tails. Of course, that has been further compounded by closures in the hospitality and retail sectors. <BR /> <BR />In addition to the points that have already been illustrated, it is probably worth mentioning that the scheme will benefit the economies of the towns and villages that are closest to the centres of our fishing industry. Of course, those benefits also relate to other livelihoods in those towns and villages.”
“Those are likely to involve some, at least, temporary reconsiderations of planning and licensing matters. It would be reassuring to know that the Executive and the Executive Office will consider those specific needs and challenges in rural areas as they take that forward. Hopefully, the junior Minister will reflect on that when he responds to the debate.”
“One hardly needs to point out that the rural economy and local jobs rely heavily on those businesses restarting successfully and sustainably. <BR /> <BR />I am pleased to hear that, in recent days, an inter-agency group has been set up that will be led by the Department for Communities. It seems that it will look at how recovery will be best accommodated within the remaining coronavirus regulations. It is my hope that other Departments will join with Communities to look not just across Departments but across all localities in Northern Ireland. Hopefully, flexibilities and temporary arrangements can be considered by the working group for a range of businesses and areas, bearing in mind the differences in local settings and opportunities that are available.”
“While efforts to roll out initiatives such as pavement cafes in city and urban areas are very welcome, we need to address the reality that they will not fit every street, small town or village across Northern Ireland. I raise that issue not to negate the value of the excellent initiatives that have come forward but simply to point out that different approaches and priorities will be required in different places. Bars, restaurants and hotels in rural areas may need considerations that are wider than simply the use of pavement areas. Often, at those businesses' locations, there is an outdoor area with an open or semi-open aspect, or outbuildings, that could be utilised further if there were a desire to do so.”
“I will address some specifics and outworkings of the amendments to the regulations. Before I do that, I thank the Minister for the statement. I welcome the amendments, which will, of course, assist in restarting the economy and also, very importantly, give signs of recovery and reassurance to those who have adhered patiently to the regulations in the interests of public health. As others have done previously, I, too, want to pay tribute to those in Northern Ireland, from all communities, for their efforts in battling coronavirus and keeping themselves and others safe. <BR /> <BR />I would like to address the fact that it is extremely difficult to apply a one-size-fits-all approach to some aspects of recovery. I wish to draw particular attention to specific needs in rural areas in Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />With a view to those future solutions and improvements, to build on recent positive statements and initiatives from DAERA and, despite the concerns that I have expressed, to ensure cover going forward, I am happy, on behalf of the Alliance Party, to support the LCM.”
“That gives added importance to the need to maintain existing EU standards and to improve upon those further. This also gives us a serious and timely caution on non-regression. <BR /> <BR />The Republic of Ireland will still be operating under the EU framework, and, if Northern Ireland has a significantly different legislative framework or lower standards, it could be more challenging for us to work collaboratively with our neighbours to protect our shared environment. Few would doubt that, whatever drawbacks there have been, the existing threat of EU fines over the years has served as an effective deterrent on many environmental protection matters. I would have preferred a non-regression clause to be included in the Bill, and I hope that subsequent Bills, strategies and policies can address that shortfall.”
“That does not, it appears, cover Northern Ireland-based detailed scrutiny, and that is another concern of mine. <BR /> <BR />There are, however, some positives and areas of the Bill that are appropriate to Northern Ireland and which address the specific environmental governance challenges. I am pleased to see the inclusion of polluter pays principles, considering the legacy of environmental problems such as river pollution, and I look forward to seeing the policies and the will to carry them through. <BR /> <BR />The Bill obviously, as I referred to a moment ago, gives us some continuity on environmental protection from the date of EU exit. On the subject of that EU exit, as has been referred to already this evening, Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that shares a land border with a European Union member state.”
“Clarification is required around the relevance of and the role for Northern Ireland within the proposed Office for Environmental Protection how that sits with the independent environmental protection agency for Northern Ireland as promised in the New Decade, New Approach agreement. <BR /> <BR />Furthermore, the Environment Bill outlines that there would be one Northern Ireland representative on the OEP regulatory body. The obvious questions that stem from that are: who will that be; how will they be appointed; and from what sector will they come? The process for appointment, at this stage at least, is completely unclear. The Environment Bill also tells us that DEFRA will report to Westminster every two years on international environmental protection legislation.”
“Some Members will be aware that the 'State of Nature 2019' report illustrated clearly the alarming rate of habitat and species loss. The Assembly will, I hope, commit to sufficient resources to honour pledges already made to ensure adequate progress and protections going forward. <BR /> <BR />The proposed Environment Bill goes some way towards addressing the environmental governance gaps that our exit from the European Union exposes, however there are a number of issues that remain and which need addressed. We need mechanisms for ensuring that future environmental improvement plans are sufficiently ambitious, deliver meaningful improvement and are relevant to Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and the fairly extensive detail given. On behalf of the Alliance Party, I support the LCM, although I should probably say at the outset that colleagues and I see this as a holding position, an interim measure and a framework on which to build a Bill and policies bespoke to Northern Ireland. That will probably come as no surprise to others, including those who sit with me on the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. <BR /> <BR />As the only region in the UK and Ireland without an independent environmental protection agency, a climate change Act or specific net zero emissions targets, Northern Ireland is in urgent need of new policies that will protect the environment and restore nature.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Given that so few direct support services have been in place for the most vulnerable special educational needs pupils during COVID-19, I ask whether the Minister has secured the special school places for the 150 pupils still unplaced, who are waiting for placements?”
“On behalf of the Alliance Party, I thank the Minister for the extensive statement, particularly the address therein of the remaining, growing and global challenge of climate change. I hope that what has been called an economic revolution might also provide opportunities for an environmental protection revolution. In light of that, will the specific 'New Decade, New Approach' commitment to a climate change Act be included as we take forward green growth? Will it be done in the context of looking at opportunities for technologies, research and development and skills within that area?”
“<BR /> <BR />Yes, we must seek to do more for mental health and well-being in that service in a real, effective and joined-up way, but we also need to address a number of factors when doing that. Those are best practice and value, as well as consistency of approach and provision that will, across the public service, sometimes include warnings where appropriate. Lastly, we need to consider that absences place additional pressure on those who remain in work. Regrettably, the motion, although honourable in sentiment and aspiration, neither addresses nor delivers on that detail. I am obliged, therefore, to oppose the motion.”
“I imagine, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, if I could reflect briefly, that not changing it back is related directly to the consistency in approach for all the employees in that service and that I reflected on a moment ago. I will not give way again, as I am coming to the end now. <BR /> <BR />The motion seeks that which I referred to, by the way, where the backdrop is that more working days are lost in the Northern Ireland Prison Service than in the PSNI, for example, or in other comparable services across these islands. It is not unusual or unreasonable, therefore, that this matter is being examined and dealt with. That does not mean that that process cannot be reviewed as it goes along.”
“It is perfectly reasonable to expect maximum and sympathetic consideration, of course, when dealing with mental health-related absence. It is also reasonable to assume that each case is considered on an individual basis and on its merits, and we are told — I guess that we have to accept — that this is, in fact, the current practice. The difficulty with the motion is that it seems to seek a separate process for Northern Ireland prison officers to that which is available to others in a similar role and to every other employee in the Northern Ireland Civil Service.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. I am not averse to having a closer look at this in other fora, such as the Justice Committee, but I am mindful that those who work for the Northern Ireland Prison Service are subject to the Northern Ireland Civil Service handbook rules the same as everyone else in that service. However, I stress that I am not averse to a wider and separate review of those processes in other appropriate places. <BR /> <BR />As I was saying, whilst recognising the excellent work that prison officers do in unique circumstances, we need to remain mindful that HR processes and leave management in the Northern Ireland Civil Service have undergone extensive change, and that has been done to ensure, as far as is possible, best practice and consistency of approach.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is no surprise, therefore, that there are business areas of public service delivery where levels of illness, including mental health illness, are historically higher than average. It follows, then, that attention will be paid to those levels of sickness and that procedures to deal with and manage them will be reviewed or refreshed. Many of us who worked in other jobs before we came to this place have undergone those changes in process.”
“<BR /> <BR />It has become clear that there is probably no one here who disagrees with the sentiment that is expressed in the motion, which, very appropriately, reflects the huge pressure that is placed on those who are involved in the Northern Ireland Prison Service in the course of their duties and also when off duty. There are pressures right across our public services, and, sometimes, the most challenging and stressful working circumstances are thrust upon those who are involved in public-facing roles. However, I will sound a note of caution. None of those stresses should ever be compared, favourably or unfavourably, with another. All of them are stresses, problems or threats that are placed upon an individual who has feelings and family and who suffers just the same as anyone else.”
“Before I speak on the motion, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, I will take a moment on behalf of my party to add to your comments about Billy Bell. I knew Billy a little bit in my early days in local government and I know that he was a very highly regarded man throughout local government and across all political parties. I will also take an additional brief moment on behalf of the Alliance Party to welcome Cara Hunter to the House and congratulate her on an excellent maiden speech. Those of us on these Benches wish her all the best for the future.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister may recall that, when he came to the Committee on 22 May to inform us of the funding, I asked about building in flexibilities for review as the issue progressed. The Minister's response on that occasion, pointing out that it was a finite resource, might not have been exactly the answer that I wanted at that time, but it was, of course, understandable, given the priority of getting the fund moving. <BR /> <BR />The motion gives us an opportunity for further consideration so that a wider range of those in need in our agriculture sector might be helped. For example, a pillar of funding could be retained for emerging need, or a contingency could be built in for similar purposes. Perhaps the Minister could reflect on the prospect for such flexibility.”
“<BR /> <BR />The motion accurately reflects the negative impact of COVID-19 on the sectors listed in it, referring to the devastating blow caused by the abrupt halt to hospitality industry activity. We know also that it had a similar effect on the dairy sector and, in fact, many sectors of our economy. I am not sure whether the Minister has been updated on consideration by the AERA Committee at this stage of the overall COVID-19 financial support package and its potential remit. However, I am aware of the variety of responses to the Committee's request for feedback. That feedback demonstrates that the range of those in need might be greater than has been hitherto recognised.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I apologise for not hearing you in the first instance. <BR /> <BR />Speaking on behalf of Alliance, I am happy to support the motion, which comes, as I understand it, as detail of the COVID-19 agriculture, horticulture and fisheries support is still subject to some fine-tuning and final decision-making in the Department. Not unlike the last Member to speak, Mrs Barton, I will probably refer, in the next few minutes, to the need, perhaps, to look a little wider than the strict confines of the motion. As I say, however, I generally support the motion and understand the rationale behind it. Hopefully, I can clarify where I am coming from as well.”
“Does the Minister agree with me that the basis of the question is wrong and that scrutiny and accountability for the operations of the police lie with the Northern Ireland Policing Board, on which Members are well represented and on which some of us are already raising these issues, as is on the public record?”
“That was the case, I believe, for the Olympic Games in 2012 and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014. When the Minister responds, hopefully she can tell us a bit more about how the Bill will prevent ticket touts from accessing tickets and also, as was mentioned earlier, give us a bit more information about the level of fine that can be introduced if someone is found guilty of an offence.”
“I thank the Minister for the information that she has brought to the House today and made us aware of. The LCM extends the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bill to Northern Ireland. The Bill creates a new offence to stop the unauthorised sale or resale of tickets for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. <BR /> <BR />On behalf of the Alliance Party, I welcome the Bill, particularly because it includes the opportunity for people who genuinely cannot use their tickets to be able to sell them for face value. That will stop the tickets touts, while taking reasonable steps to protect those who are unable to use their tickets because of illness, a family emergency or another justifiable reason. I am fully aware that the legislation will end the day after the games do.”
“<BR /> <BR />To conclude, the impact of coronavirus has damaged Government planning and left us with a series of unanswered questions regarding the Northern Ireland protocol and post-Brexit structures. Extending the transition period will give us time and breathing space to create mechanisms to minimise any negative impact of leaving the EU and reduce economic and social disruption. Therefore, I support the motion and the amendment.”
“<BR /> <BR />Lastly, we need further assessment of the impact that the UK Government's proposed post-Brexit immigration system will have on our vital agri-food industry. The high wage threshold and the very dubious classifications of migrant workers into "skilled" and "unskilled" workers could have a severe impact on our economy. Alliance is committed to seeking special mitigations for Northern Ireland in any Brexit scenario. Immigration policy simply must take our local circumstances into account. Extending the transition period therefore allows us the breathing space to craft an immigration system that is fair to migrants and to each region of the UK rather than pursuing hastily arranged legislation that is based on someone else's Little Englander philosophy.”
“Again, that is incredibly problematic for the Northern Ireland fishing industry, and, again, there has been no clarity at all on local fishing boundaries. For example, at what point in Carlingford lough does a fishing trawler pass from UK waters into Irish or EU waters? At what point in the Irish Sea does that happen? A question that I have raised a number of times, including on the Floor of the House, is this: what are the practical difficulties of moving from one jurisdiction to five or, if you include the Isle of Man, to six? The clock is ticking and no answers are being provided to those questions. An extension to the transition period, therefore, is the course of action that will ensure a fair and sensible solution to fishing rights in the post-Brexit era.”
“The need for that new infrastructure at our ports had been apparent, it seems, to basically everyone, for some time, yet the UK Government have left it to only a few months before the end of the transition period to even acknowledge that necessity. The fact that we do not have any detail whatsoever on how those checks will work in practice is also extremely concerning. Businesses in Northern Ireland have no clarity on the administrative burden that is about to be placed on them. We simply need that extension to the transition period to ensure that any checks put in place work effectively and efficiently, without further disrupting east-west trade. <BR /> <BR />Additionally, we are just one month away from the deadline of 1 July, detailed in the political declaration, to secure an agreement on fishing rights.”
“<BR /> <BR />There has been much commentary already about the compelling economic and social reasons why the transition period should be extended, but today I will focus on specifics within the agriculture, environment and rural affairs brief that I cover for my party. I assure Members across the House that I raise these issues for no reason other than that they are questions that I have raised many times and to which I have received very few or no answers or clarification at all. These concerns centre mainly around infrastructure at our ports, migrant labour and the future of fishing rights. <BR /> <BR />The UK's approach to the Northern Ireland protocol, published last month, finally acknowledged that new infrastructure will be required to check goods coming into Northern Ireland from Great Britain.”
“We know that the UK and Irish Governments, the three devolved Assemblies and the EU have rightly diverted their focus and resources into dealing with this crisis and emergency, leaving an extensive list of questions surrounding Brexit unanswered, and that too is a reality. Yet time has continued to pass, and self-imposed deadlines loom ever closer. <BR /> <BR />An extension to the transition period is, therefore, essential to ensure that any systems and mechanisms put in place are workable and have been thought out and scrutinised to the best of our collective ability. The decisions should not be made on the basis of rushed-through processes during the time of an unprecedented public health crisis. They should be considered carefully.”
“I rise on behalf of Alliance to support the timely and relevant motion and the amendment. I thank those responsible for bringing them forward. At the outset, I assure you that I have no intention of making any attempt to rehearse Leave versus Remain arguments, because, as I am sure that all of us agree, this is not a Leave versus Remain debate. This debate is centered on how we address very serious and imminent problems. <BR /> <BR />The challenging time frame of just one year to negotiate a comprehensive free trade agreement has been made impossible by the onset of coronavirus. No one takes any comfort from that position.”