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 go back to the strategies for the planting of trees. What action is the Minister's Department progressing to increase the number of trees being planted?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and for the actions that he is driving in his Department to help to deliver on nature recovery. Will the Minister provide an update on actions to tackle ammonia pollution, given that it directly relates to nature recovery?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Quite separate from the issue of water charges, as the Minister has described it, will the Minister outline what options have been considered to incorporate other forms of revenue-raising to meet the Budget shortfall? I ask that with particular regard to the investment required to provide flood risk management and mitigation?”
“It is therefore important that we support the LCM. By doing so, we will enable the UK Government to enact the Bill in a way that applies fully to Northern Ireland. For those reasons, the Alliance Party will support the motion. We believe that it represents a necessary and proportionate measure that will contribute to greater protection of marine biodiversity, which is of vital and enduring importance to our environment.”
“That is an important step in ensuring that our environmental protections do not stop at the edge of our territorial waters. The provisions are targeted in scope to devolved matters of the Assembly, such as scientific research and education. That includes emergency measures when quick action is necessary, such as during a natural event or human-caused disaster that has caused or could cause significant or irreversible harm to marine biodiversity. <BR /> <BR />The Bill is expected to affect only a small number of researchers at universities and research institutions in Northern Ireland, particularly those involved in marine science and related disciplines. It will ensure that our scientific work is conducted to the highest environmental standards and is consistent with our international obligations.”
“Before I comment on the LCM, I too take the opportunity to welcome Gareth Wilson to the Assembly and wish him well as he takes up his role on the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee. <BR /> <BR />As my colleagues on that Committee, including the Chair, have already explained, the legislative consent motion seeks to ratify the extension of the provisions of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill to Northern Ireland. While the LCM may appear mainly technical, it is nonetheless important. In practical terms, it extends the rules that are already applied in UK waters into the high seas. It will create a framework to establish area-based management tools and designate marine protected areas beyond our national jurisdiction.”
“I thank the Minister for the statement. The funding allocations for a just transition for Agriculture in the draft Budget are welcome, but it seems that the proposals for three of the four years are a cut compared with the allocation for this year. Will the Minister commit to engaging with the AERA Minister on that, recognising the need for support, especially in relation to a reduction in ammonia levels and to water quality?”
“I thank the Minister for that answer. Given that the current legislation states that RE in schools must be based on the Holy Scripture, will the Minister need to amend the legislation to ensure that RE is inclusive for all, given the recent ruling?”
“<BR /> <BR />Those who have signed the petition urge the Department for Infrastructure to conduct a safety assessment of the location, ensuring consideration of peak times and school times, and install a clearly marked pedestrian crossing with appropriate signage and, if possible, traffic-calming measures, such as flashing lights or speed ramps. The petition requests those crucial elements. Consideration should also be given to additional safety features such as dropped kerbs for wheelchair and stroller access. The issue demands the Department's urgent attention. We look forward to working collectively for prompt action to improve the safety of pedestrians and road users in Doagh.”
“The road is used frequently by vehicles, including heavy goods vehicles, making it difficult for pedestrians to cross safely, particularly at peak times. In the past few decades, the population of Doagh has risen considerably, as the census and electoral roll will show. Unfortunately, the road infrastructure, including the infrastructure to ensure safe crossing, remains largely unchanged. There is the likelihood of near misses or accidents involving pedestrians and motor vehicles at that location. A pedestrian crossing would encourage walking, promote healthier lifestyles and improve accessibility for all members of the community.”
“I rise to bring a public petition on behalf of the residents of Doagh to the House. The petition raises serious concerns on behalf of the undersigned individuals, who respectfully request the installation of a pedestrian crossing at Station Road, Doagh. The petition comes from the 260 people who have signed it and me, as South Antrim MLA. <BR /> <BR />The reasons for the request are as follows. The current lack of a designated crossing point puts pedestrians, including children, elderly residents and people with disabilities, at significant risk when attempting to cross the road. The area experiences heavy pedestrian movement due to nearby schools, a play area, shops and public transport stops.”
“I therefore urge Members to support the motion in the strongest possible terms.”
“At this juncture, I draw attention to how inaccurate reporting or the broadcasting of speculation can also cause serious harm to the families of road accident casualties. I know personally those who have been impacted by that after losing a loved one. No retraction and no token compensation can mend the hurt or trauma or both caused by speculation on circumstances before a fatal accident or about police inquiries afterwards. Broadcast media must be held responsible in that regard, especially where so-called initial reports do not reflect the facts. <BR />Legislative change backed by cross-departmental effort is essential and must be accompanied by a fundamental behaviour change in our society. I am hopeful that we can move forward and away from such acts and ensure that no family endures additional pain at a time of tragedy.”
“Media outlets must also exercise responsibility. Drones and new technologies should not become new tools for disregarding the dignity and privacy of the deceased or their loved ones. <BR /> <BR />I especially thank the campaigners for Caoimhe's law. My Alliance Party colleagues and I firmly support making it a criminal offence to record or share images at the scene of fatal traffic collisions. Hopefully, the relevant Ministers across Departments can, moving forward, work closely together to deliver legislation or the appropriate regulation as soon as possible. <BR /> <BR />We become elected representatives not only to improve the lives of our constituents but to uphold their dignity, demonstrate compassion and take all possible measures to reduce harm.”
“<BR /> <BR />Many who stop to assist at a crash site show immense bravery and compassion. It is, however, utterly unacceptable for anyone in those circumstances to exploit those moments of crisis and turn the suffering of others into a spectacle for likes or retweets or for a fleeting — for want of a better word — moment of fame. Those actions betray not only the victims and their families but our shared sense of community decency. Such behaviour is driven by selfishness, and those responsible should feel shame and must be held to account. Moreover, social media platforms must do more to remove such material rapidly so that it cannot continue to traumatise families. At this juncture, I thank publicly my Alliance colleague Sorcha Eastwood MP for her work at Westminster, calling for greater regulation of social media platforms.”
“I thank the Members who tabled the important motion. It reflects current concerns and the worry that fills us all that we face a troubling trend of people and some media outlets capturing and distributing upsetting images and videos from serious or fatal road traffic accidents. What used to be rare and isolated decades ago has, with smartphones and social media, become a common and deeply invasive problem for victims and their families. <BR /> <BR />Countries across Europe, such as France, Spain and Norway, have introduced strong privacy and image rights, ensuring that sharing identifiable images of victims is less permissible. In the United Kingdom, while it is legal to photograph in public, there remains no adequate safeguard against the harm caused by publishing such images. Therefore, we need a legal change.”
“The lack of progress, despite the Minister's efforts, is extremely concerning. Will the Minister outline what other papers continue to be delayed as they await Executive approval?”
“It simply means that they are interdependent.”
“Absolutely; of course. That guidance is essential to the Minister, to his officials and to us, but those issues have been ignored for far too long by previous Ministers. <BR /> <BR />Alliance is able to support the amendment, particularly its recognition of the destabilising impact of Brexit and the opportunities that dual market access offers. We agree that there must be no culls and that a just, evidenced-based transition is critical. Alliance cannot support a motion that is riddled with contradictions and blind to the reality that we face. Our climate and our agriculture are two sides of the same coin. Food security is not possible if we sacrifice one for the other. Our focus needs to be on solutions, not on scapegoats.”
“Continuing on that theme and the subject of pollution, the Minister has consistently proven how committed he is to delivering clarity on ammonia controls. I am hopeful that future imminent progress on air quality will help with that. Ammonia pollution has real and immediate impacts on public health and the environment.”
“Inaction on polluters, lack of investment and denial of evidence from parties in this Chamber only perpetuates the problems. While the DUP motion appears to aim at preserving animal welfare standards, the pollution that results from inadequate climate action directly contradicts that goal. Ignoring pollution harms animal health and ecosystems as more species decline and our natural environment deteriorates even further. Yes, we must prioritise the welfare of livestock. However, equally, we must protect biodiversity to ensure its ongoing survival. To put it simply, there can be no farming without nature.”
“<BR /> <BR />Only last week, the Office for Environmental Protection significantly announced an investigation of the handling of sewage discharges into Belfast lough — as if we needed another wake-up call. Minister Muir is working tirelessly to reverse the decline of our water quality, but meaningful change will require all Executive parties to step up, not step away.”
“Climate action and food security are not in conflict, and to suggest otherwise is simply wrong. Northern Irish farmers are some of the best custodians of the land. Many of them know too well the mounting risks that climate change brings, from extreme weather to threats to soil health and biodiversity. We cannot let short-term thinking jeopardise their future. Let us be clear: watering down climate targets will only harm our farmers in the long run, making us less, not more, food-secure. That is why the Alliance AERA Minister has launched schemes such as Farming with Nature and the bovine genetics project. Those are pioneering approaches that prove that agriculture and climate can and must work hand in hand.”
“While concerns about regulatory changes to veterinary medicines and on-farm practices are real, let us not forget who helped to create those circumstances in the first place. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge the active engagement of the Alliance AERA Minister with the UK Government on regulatory clarity for veterinary medicines. Schemes have been developed to maintain access to critical products and to support farmers as they navigate changing requirements. I know that the Minister continues to push for greater clarity as the deadline approaches. <BR /> <BR />Turning to environmental responsibilities, the motion refers to climate targets as being merely "aspirational", yet the targets are legally binding, having been set in law by a Minister who, if you do not mind, was from the very party that has tabled this anti-environment motion.”
“For example, he has secured ring-fenced funding of over £300 million for the sector and £12·3 million for the just transition fund. He is progressing our sustainable agriculture programme and actively engaging with the Finance Minister to secure further support for the industry. <BR /> <BR />The main challenge is ensuring the sustainability and resilience of our food system against threats such as climate change and the poor policy choices of the past. Instead of learning from mistakes, the motion seems intent on ignoring the impact of past choices. It was, after all, the DUP that championed Brexit, which brought UK trade deals with countries such as Australia and New Zealand, but it now raises alarm at the trading reality that those choices ushered in, including the very Windsor framework that it criticises in the motion.”
“Like my Alliance colleagues, I oppose the DUP motion. In our view, not only is it an attempt to shirk responsibility, it risks undermining crucial ambitions for climate and environmental progress — ambitions that are essential to safeguarding our farming community and food security. Despite the rhetoric in the motion, of which there is much, food security is already a key policy focus in Northern Ireland. The motion indicates how our agriculture sector is already seen as a strategic asset, employing thousands, adding £4·9 billion to gross value added and producing enough food for 10 million people, when there are only two million of us. Additionally, the motion fails — conveniently, perhaps — to acknowledge the fact that, in this mandate, the Minister has already secured significant support for the agriculture sector.”
“I thank the Minister for the statement. Will the Minister provide information on any of his engagement with the Irish Government regarding the arrival of bluetongue on the island of Ireland? He touched a bit on that in his statement, but, for clarity, it would be useful to have more information, if he has it.”
“<BR /> <BR />I urge the Minister to do everything possible to secure the swift delivery and full funding of the Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health. He must show that he takes mental health seriously also, and I know that he does. I look forward to hearing his update on this matter shortly.”
“However, we must ensure that, despite the financial constraints that we often hear about and the uncertainties around capital budgets, the project remains a top priority. Continued delays could have devastating effects on individuals and their families. The condition of existing facilities at Holywell has already been made clear in the debate. <BR /> <BR />As a society, we must treat mental health and mental health problems with the same urgency and importance as physical health. The cost of inaction is profound, and it not only has an impact on individual well-being but causes significant repercussions in our communities, such as reduced productivity and less capacity to support others in need.”
“According to a report by the Mental Health Foundation, roughly one in five adults in Northern Ireland has a diagnosable mental health condition, a rate that is higher than that in any other UK region. Furthermore, the Health and Social Care Board has reported that Northern Ireland has one of the highest suicide rates in the whole of the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />The proposed Birch Hill centre will therefore enable access to quality care for those who are struggling. For many residents in South Antrim and beyond, having the centre will mean receiving the support that they need, and need now, closer to home and in an environment that is designed for recovery. The Health Minister has previously given assurances that the trust expects the new facility to be open to patients by winter 2027.”
“I start by thanking Declan Kearney for securing this vital debate and also for the detailed case for mental health provision in South Antrim that he so clearly laid out. <BR /> <BR />The entire issue concerns the urgent need to deliver the Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health, which is planned to be established at the Antrim Area Hospital site in my constituency, South Antrim, which I share with you, Deputy Speaker, and those who have spoken previously. The project is significant not only for South Antrim residents but for the broader Northern Health and Social Care Trust area, as it will deliver a purpose-built, modern facility that will serve also as a vital resource. <BR /> <BR />Indeed, Northern Ireland has some of the highest rates of mental health problems in the UK.”
“<BR /> <BR />If I may, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, I would like to leave Members with this thought: there has been mention today, which I have heard before, of carrots and sticks. I hear it at the Committee on a regular basis. If we do not support this Minister in bringing forward the necessary regulations to the legislation for that sustainable future, there will be no carrots for the sticks, because we will have destroyed the ground that they grow in.”
“However, I urge them to see the bigger picture, which is the potential benefits that those measures hold for our natural environment, local economy and food security. Now more than ever, we must prioritise policies that balance those three pillars, ensuring that each supports and strengthens the other. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party remains steadfast in advocating policies that align our environmental ambitions with economic viability and the ongoing security of our food supply. We believe that progress in one area must not come at the expense of the others. Therefore, I, alongside my colleagues in Alliance, am pleased to offer our full support to the regulations. We hope that Members will join us in allowing Northern Ireland's farming community to move forward with confidence towards a more sustainable and prosperous future.”
“By encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable practices through initiatives such as Farming with Nature, the soil nutrient health scheme and the beef carbon reduction scheme, the industry can move towards becoming more resilient and environmentally responsible. Schemes such as those are essential for reaching our climate change targets. They are also absolutely essential for securing better environmental outcomes. Collaborating with the farming community to promote practices that restore ecosystems, enhance soil health and lower greenhouse gas emissions helps us to protect Northern Ireland's natural beauty and preserve our valuable environment. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that some Members have voiced legitimate concerns about aspects of the regulations.”
“Before I continue, I express my thanks to the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and his departmental officials for their work in navigating the complexities of transitioning between schemes and for their efforts in keeping Committee members updated. During briefings that my fellow Committee members and I received on the regulations, it was emphasised that, at the core of the regulations, is a strong commitment to create a more sustainable future for agriculture in Northern Ireland. While the payments might seem to some to be simple financial support, they represent crucial investment in the agriculture sector's future.”
“As stated today and on previous occasions, the regulations are a result of our need to transition away from EU agricultural policy.”
“I rise as a member of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to express my support and that of the Alliance Party for the farm sustainability payment scheme regulations.”
“I thank the Minister for that reply. Further to the previous question, will the Minister outline why climate action is vital for our economy?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your patience. I am, of course, well known for mine. <BR /> <BR />Does the Minister agree that parties that are now reneging, and that are seeking others to renege, on those climate commitments undermine confidence in Northern Ireland and risk people here missing out on the benefits of climate action?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does he accept that the Office for Environmental Protection, which was on his list of environmental agencies, is simply a replacement for the European structures that Brexit removed and is not a directly responsible independent environmental protection agency for Northern Ireland? Nor is Waterways Ireland such an agency, as it is responsible for the development of waterways in Ireland. Does he accept that those agencies are not directly responsible for environmental protection and it is not correct to present them as though they were?”
“Alliance is happy to support the motion, and we hope that the Minister will receive the political support to deliver an IEPA that the public will expect him to receive.”
“The absence of functioning government for nearly two years has meant missed deadlines for urgently needed environmental strategies, such as the previously delayed environmental improvement plan. That cannot happen again. We must now commit to resourcing the new agency, not just through funding but with legal powers that equip it to act decisively, independently and effectively. Despite what the DUP said earlier, all the reshuffling and restructuring of the current structures will not make any of them independent of government. The DUP knows that. <BR /> <BR />We need to deliver an IEPA that protects the environment, ensures accountability and regains public trust. In simple terms, the public expect more from us in this Chamber, and, quite frankly, our natural environment deserves better.”
“Only through taking that approach can we bring about the transformation that is needed. <BR /> <BR />It is not only about obligations but about opportunities for positive, lasting change. An independent agency would act not only as a vital watchdog and deterrent to polluters but as a catalyst for restoration, investment and fostering public trust in our institutions. It could drive improvements in cross-border cooperation, helping protect what is a single biogeographical unit spanning the island of Ireland. Relationships with the Irish Environmental Protection Agency, the Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner, when appointed, and the Office for Environmental Protection will be essential to our shared success. <BR /> <BR />We must also learn from the shortcomings of the past.”
“Difficult choices will be necessary, and funding will need to be secured. That should be viewed not as a drawback but as an investment in our future. The Assembly cannot keep repeating its despair about Lough Neagh or our declining environment while, time and time again, failing to deliver the interventions that are desperately required. To achieve lasting and effective solutions, we must embrace cross-departmental collaboration. Environmental challenges do not respect departmental boundaries or sectoral silos. They demand an all-of-government approach that is underpinned by strong political will and a shared responsibility. The environmental protection agency must be operationally independent and must be supported by, and work with, every part of government.”
“<BR /> <BR />The distressing situation at Lough Neagh — I make no apology, despite the DUP's protestations, for mentioning Lough Neagh — the tragic loss of biodiversity, the state of our rivers, illegal dumping at sites such as Mobuoy and the ever-worsening impacts of climate change are a testament to the environmental, social and financial costs of inaction. We cannot continue to accept fragmented environmental governance, divided among multiple agencies with blurred lines of responsibility and accountability. That fragmentation breeds inconsistency and inefficiency and, most harmful of all, allows vital deadlines and targets to slip past unfulfilled. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party recognises that creating a genuinely independent environmental protection agency will be challenging and that it is not a quick solution to our problems.”
“Just last week, he gave a detailed update in the Chamber in which he reaffirmed his strong commitment to establishing an independent, effective and well-funded environmental protection agency. <BR /> <BR />The need for such an agency is pressing, and the evidence is now irrefutable. The recent independent review of environmental governance provided a thorough and scientific assessment of that evidence, highlighting not only the depths of the environmental pressures facing Northern Ireland but the critical gaps in governance, accountability and enforcement that have undermined real progress. The report's conclusion is clear: an independent environmental protection agency is needed in order to strengthen environmental governance in Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Member who tabled this timely and vital motion. It is especially fitting that we debate it today, on the opening day of COP30, when political leaders from around the world are gathering to demonstrate their commitment to tackling the climate crisis. It is only right that the Assembly send the strongest possible signal that we too are prepared to meet our environmental responsibilities. <BR /> <BR />For the Alliance Party, creating an independent environmental protection agency is more than just a policy. Rather, it is a fundamental principle and a long-standing goal. We have consistently advocated for one. Its establishment is vital for a sustainable future for Northern Ireland. Our Alliance Party Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is actively working to deliver on that commitment.”
“This is not the time for delay or denial on climate action, as advocated by some; it is time now for that decisive action.”
“<BR /> <BR />I acknowledge the work that is taking place already: for example, the steps that have been taken by my colleague the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to deliver the long-standing Alliance Party policy to establish an independent environmental protection agency for Northern Ireland. Delivering such an agency will involve genuine collaboration and support from every Department and every party. The transparency and accountability that it will bring are crucial for safeguarding our natural world, as well as its being the ultimate invest-to-save measure. <BR /> <BR />As COP30 begins, I remain hopeful that decisive action will finally match our words and that agreements forged this week will lead to progress that benefits not only our natural world but our people and our economy.”
“<BR /> <BR />We must not let political boundaries stifle our progress. It is far too easy to see climate action as someone else's responsibility or to delay necessary decisions out of short-term convenience. However, as elected representatives, we are entrusted with protecting the future for our constituents, our society and the natural world. That means embedding this year's COP vision into everything that we do in the Assembly. Collaboration is key, especially across parties, Departments and all levels of government. We must make and follow through on the difficult decisions that are necessary.”