Andrew Muir
North Down · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. As Minister, I am grateful to the Chair of the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee and to Members from all sides of the Chamber for their consideration of the Bill and their contributions to the debate, which have been valuable and useful.”
“I will write to you with regard to your query. <BR /> <BR />The other issue, as I said, is reporting pollution incidents so that they can be effectively investigated. There is a duty on everyone to do that promptly.”
“Aquaculture provides real economic opportunities, and the Bill will help ensure that those opportunities are realised responsibly without compromising the environment. Importantly, the Bill includes transitional provisions so that existing licences can continue seamlessly as aquaculture licences, with their conditions unchanged.”
“That is not about being punitive for its own sake; it is about ensuring that the legal framework reflects the true value of our natural resources and the importance of protecting them for future generations.”
“<BR /> <BR />On strengthening the regulation of inland waters, the Bill modernises long-standing powers under the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966, ensuring that they are fit for today's environmental and industry challenges. That matters because fisheries management today goes far beyond simply catching fish.”
“<BR /> <BR />A full regulatory impact assessment of the financial impact has been completed. It concluded that the Bill does not introduce significant new financial burdens and that any costs are outweighed by the long-term benefits.”
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“I also thank Members for their constructive contributions to the debate on the Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill. I acknowledge that it was originally the "Fisheries Bill", then it was the "Fisheries and Water Environment Bill", and now it is the "Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill"; maybe it will get an acronym in due course. I thank everyone for their contributions, their support and the questions raised. <BR /> <BR />I commend the Bill to the Assembly. I look forward to engaging constructively with Members, especially those who sit on the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, as the Bill progresses through its stages.”
“That is because those areas fall under the remit of technical conservation measures, which are better outlined in secondary legislation. Any future changes to those parts of the existing Act will be made by regulations and subject to appropriate engagement with stakeholders. Hydro operators are engaged with the river basin management planning process to ensure that their views are at the table in the discussions that are pertinent to their work. Tom, if you have any specific issues about hydro operators, I am happy for you to send a request, and we can arrange a meeting with officials. <BR /> <BR />I thank the officials for their work. Some of them are sitting in the Officials' Box, but many others have worked on the Bill to bring it to the Second Stage.”
“It is important that I acknowledge and agree with what Kellie said about environmental sustainability and economic growth going hand in hand. That is what we need to achieve. As she said, the legislation is based on evidence-based policy. That may not be the vogue in some places, but I think that it is still really important, and it is important that whatever we do is underpinned by sound science. The Member mentioned the issuing of fixed penalty notices and rightly linked that to the Lough Neagh action plan, which is where it comes from. <BR /> <BR />Tom Buchanan raised the impacts on hydropower. The requirements in the parts of the Fisheries Act 1966 that have the most impact on the work of hydropower operators are not changed by the introduction of the Bill.”
“We are seeking to strike a balance on that. <BR /> <BR />Miss McIlveen said what I have just said about the need to have a balanced approach to agriculture and waste water pollution. It is important that we do that, because everyone has a role to play. I commend farmers in Northern Ireland for the work that they have done and their commitment to addressing the issue. It is important that Northern Ireland Water also step up. <BR /> <BR />The same Member mentioned the issue with resources in the Department. That is absolutely key. We have significant vacancies in the Department. It is important that we fill those so that we have the resources to deliver for all of Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Kellie Armstrong talked about Strangford lough and the unique aspects of her constituency.”
“I seek the support of my Executive colleagues to end that so that we tackle water pollution on a fair and equitable basis. <BR /> <BR />In Michelle McIlveen's contribution, there was, I would say, a lot of common purpose in the issues that she set out, such as the need to have clarity. That is what we are seeking through the scrutiny of the Bill. The follow-on from that will be devising those statements and getting them out. We will seek to do that through consultation. It is important that we do that so that whatever we do works on the ground. <BR /> <BR />I get the Member's concerns about secondary legislation, but we are seeking to have primary legislation that gives us the flexibility to provide secondary legislation and provides us with the necessary scrutiny through the affirmative process.”
“The provision of fixed penalty notices will be an effective way forward, subject to the secondary legislation, to allow us to address that issue. <BR /> <BR />I hope that I have covered some of the issues that Aoife Finnegan raised in her contribution about the economic impact assessments and the consultation. Officials will continue to engage with Committee members on that. <BR /> <BR />On the issue of penalties and Northern Ireland Water, I approach life in the spirit of ensuring fairness, openness and transparency, and that is what I seek to provide through all the actions that we are taking to tackle water pollution. I do not think that it is right or proper that there is a separate regulatory regime for Northern Ireland Water.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Member also asked how the legislation fits with the wider desire to balance recovery of the environment with the economic aspirations that we, rightly, have for Northern Ireland. The Bill seeks to put an ecosystem-based approach at the heart of this and have a proportionate attitude to the issues. Hopefully, that effectively addresses some of the issues that he raised. What we are seeking to do through the Bill is to modernise the legislation on enforcement for inland and sea fisheries and to provide flexibilities. At the moment, we do not have fixed penalty notices for water pollution offences. We have the unnecessary criminalisation of individuals as a result of our having to take that through the courts rather than being able to use fixed penalty notices.”
“That is why I was delighted to announce last week that we have secured, through the Shared Island Fund, over £49 million to roll out the sustainable catchment programme in the Blackwater catchment and, in future, we will roll it out in as many other catchment areas in the Lough Neagh area as possible within the funding envelope that we have. It is critical that we do that. <BR /> <BR />Matthew also asked — I am seeking to address all the points that he raised — how the Bill intersects with the Lough Neagh action plan. There is a specific action in the Lough Neagh action plan to review fines and penalties. The Bill seeks not just to do that but to legislate for it. That is how we are following through on those commitments.”
“As a result of EU exit, which has caused many issues in Northern Ireland and across the rest of the United Kingdom, the agrienvironment support schemes under the ESF were scaled down. I am seeking to re-establish those schemes and roll out that support. Alongside and related to that is the support that we can provide to farmers through the sustainable catchment programme. It has been proven in the North and the South that on-farm advice, alongside support for tree planting, fencing, riparian buffer strips and other nature-based solutions, can have a significant, positive impact on water quality.”
“Moving towards enforcement means that we have collectively failed, so we want to provide education and incentivisation to ensure that pollution situations do not evolve in the first place. Farming with Nature is part of that incentivisation.”
“I will write to you with regard to your query. <BR /> <BR />The other issue, as I said, is reporting pollution incidents so that they can be effectively investigated. There is a duty on everyone to do that promptly. A public awareness campaign will start in the autumn to help people understand how to report incidents and how important that is. It is important that we give people knowledge about the role that they can play in tackling pollution. <BR /> <BR />The Member also raised the issue of how Farming with Nature and agrienvironment support schemes intersect with the Bill. The Bill is about fines and penalties for water pollution and many other things. Fundamentally, however, the approach that we take in addressing water quality in Northern Ireland is based on four pillars: education, incentivisation, regulation and enforcement.”
“Just before I took up this role, one thing that I was taught by someone who is very learned and had been doing this for many years — he is no longer a Member — was never to quote statistics in the House unless you are entirely sure.”
“You said — I agree with you — that legislation alone will not fix everything, but the Bill is an important tool in the wider interventions that we seek to make, be they related to the sentencing review that the Department of Justice is carrying out, which will include environmental crimes, or to the duty that we all have to report pollution when we see it.”
“It is important that we support them in facing those challenges but also that we respect science and evidence in making the interventions that are needed to restore water quality not just in Lough Neagh but in other areas such as Belfast lough. That is a concern for me, and it is why we need stronger regulation and enforcement for waste water and to do more on water quality more broadly. <BR /> <BR />The Member referenced fines and penalties relating to fish kills specifically. Every time that a fish kill is reported to me, I feel concern that it is wrong and that it should not be the norm for that to occur a number of times in the spring and summer of each year.”
“What I have outlined about the regulatory impact assessment should, hopefully, also address some of the concerns that Aoife raised in her contribution on the issue. <BR /> <BR />Matthew, you raised a number of issues, most of which I will try to capture, if that is possible. You were right to highlight the state of our rivers, lakes and loughs in Northern Ireland and the impact of that not just on the environment but on the economy more broadly. Perhaps that exemplifies the fact that economic growth and the environment must go hand in hand: without the environment, we cannot have economic growth. We have seen that in the impact on eel fishing; I will meet the Lough Neagh Fishermen's Co-operative later this week about the challenges that its members face.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. As Minister, I am grateful to the Chair of the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee and to Members from all sides of the Chamber for their consideration of the Bill and their contributions to the debate, which have been valuable and useful. I will respond to a few of the issues that have been raised in the debate. <BR /> <BR />The Chair of the AERA Committee raised questions about the adequacy of funding for the Bill. The regulatory impact assessment indicates that there will be no cost to businesses as a result of the Bill. As a result, no additional bid for funding has been made. The marine environment and fisheries fund will be available to provide financial assistance with the delivery of any new policies arising from the Bill, and it is important that we continue that support.”
“At the same time, it maintains appropriate safeguards, ensures transparency and preserves the role of the Assembly in scrutinising significant regulatory changes. I recognise that Members will wish to examine the detail of the Bill carefully, and I welcome that scrutiny. The Bill provides a framework that will help shape policy and practice for years to come, and it is right that it be subject to thorough scrutiny at Committee Stage and beyond. <BR /> <BR />I commend the Bill to the Assembly and look forward to constructive engagement with Members as we take forward this important legislation.”
“The aquaculture licensing provisions, however, will be commenced at a later stage to allow time for appropriate preparation and stakeholder engagement. That phased approach reflects the need to balance progress against careful implementation. <BR /> <BR />The Bill is about building a modern, sustainable and resilient fisheries and aquaculture system for Northern Ireland. It recognises that our aquatic environments are not only economic assets but living ecosystems that support biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience and benefit communities across Northern Ireland. The Bill sets clear objectives, strengthens enforcement, modernises outdated provisions and provides the flexibility to respond to future challenges.”
“<BR /> <BR />A full regulatory impact assessment of the financial impact has been completed. It concluded that the Bill does not introduce significant new financial burdens and that any costs are outweighed by the long-term benefits. I am aware, however, that detailed examination and revisions of the assessment will be required as the Bill progresses. That will reflect evidence provided during scrutiny to ensure that impacts are appropriately assessed. The Bill, rather than creating substantial new expenditure, largely provides a framework that builds on existing enforcement powers. The cost of inaction on environmental damage, loss of tourism and declining stocks is, however, far greater. <BR /> <BR />The Bill provides that most of its provisions will come into operation shortly after Royal Assent.”
“Aquaculture provides real economic opportunities, and the Bill will help ensure that those opportunities are realised responsibly without compromising the environment. Importantly, the Bill includes transitional provisions so that existing licences can continue seamlessly as aquaculture licences, with their conditions unchanged. That will give the sector stability and certainty, whilst enabling future development. <BR /> <BR />To improve licensing and environmental accountability, Part 6 of the Bill will amend fish dealer licensing and introduce a clearer power to recover costs for damage to riverbeds caused by unlawful actions. It is a straightforward principle that those who cause environmental damage should bear the cost of putting it right. The measures will contribute to a more robust and coherent regulatory framework.”
“It replaces the outdated fish culture licence with a modern aquaculture licence, reflecting the diversity of the sector, from fish to shellfish to aquatic plants and seaweed. It provides for clear conditions and the ability to transfer licences, where appropriate. It is about enabling growth and ensuring that that is responsible.”
“That is not about being punitive for its own sake; it is about ensuring that the legal framework reflects the true value of our natural resources and the importance of protecting them for future generations. However, enforcement must also be proportionate, and that is why Part 4 enables fixed penalty notices to be introduced for less serious breaches, allowing issues to be dealt with quickly and effectively while reserving the courts for more significant cases. That approach reduces the burden on our courts, provides a quicker resolution and allows enforcement resources to be focused on more serious cases. The detail of how fixed penalty notices will operate will be set out in regulations and subject to Assembly approval. <BR /> <BR />On modernising aquaculture, Part 5 brings long-overdue reform to aquaculture licensing.”
“It enables officers to carry out their duties with the tools that they need while operating within a well-established legal framework that includes appropriate safeguards. Without it, even the best-designed system risks being undermined by non-compliance. <BR /> <BR />On updating penalties and introducing proportionate enforcement, a key feature of the Bill is the modernisation of penalties for fisheries and water-related offences. Many of the penalties in existing legislation are decades old and no longer act as effective deterrents. In some cases, fines are set at levels that do not reflect the seriousness of the harm that can be caused to ecosystems or fish stocks. The Bill addresses that by increasing fines, often to levels of up to £50,000, in line with those in other jurisdictions.”
“That approach preserves proper legislative oversight while avoiding the need for frequent primary legislation to make technical updates. <BR /> <BR />On enhancing sea fisheries enforcement, Part 2 strengthens enforcement powers at sea, ensuring that rules can be applied fairly and effectively. It equips enforcement officers with clear, modern powers aligned with the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to board vessels, inspect activity and act when offences are suspected. That is not about overreach; it is about fairness. Law-abiding fishers should not be undercut by illegal, unreported or unregulated activity, and the Bill will ensure a level playing field for all. Effective enforcement is essential to maintain public confidence and ensure that regulations are meaningful.”
“<BR /> <BR />On strengthening the regulation of inland waters, the Bill modernises long-standing powers under the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966, ensuring that they are fit for today's environmental and industry challenges. That matters because fisheries management today goes far beyond simply catching fish. It involves supply chains, ecosystems, data and compliance, and the Bill ensures that we have the tools to manage all those aspects effectively. It also provides flexibility to respond to changing science, environmental conditions and emerging risks. At the same time, the Bill includes safeguards. Where regulations would amend primary legislation, impose fees or create additional criminal offences, they will be subject to the affirmative resolution procedure and will require Assembly approval.”
“Taken together, the objectives provide a clear strategic direction for fisheries policy while allowing the flexibility necessary to respond to evolving scientific evidence and environmental conditions. They also make it clear that environmental protection and economic use are not competing priorities. Instead, they recognise that long-term prosperity depends on healthy ecosystems. The Bill also requires my Department to publish an inland fisheries policy statement that sets out plainly how the objectives will be interpreted and applied. That will not sit on the shelf; it will be reviewed, updated and subject to consultation. Importantly, when decisions depart from that policy, the reasons must be explained publicly. That is a meaningful step forward for transparency and accountability.”
“At the same time, aquaculture has evolved into a more diverse and innovative industry, but, rightly, expectations around environmental governance and sustainability have increased. The Bill responds to those changes in a coherent and practical way, guided by the principles of sustainability, accountability and opportunity. I believe that this is draft legislation that all Members can support. <BR /> <BR />Part 1 places a clear set of statutory objectives for inland fisheries into Northern Ireland law for the first time. Those objectives are not simply aspirational statements: they form the foundation of a modern fisheries management framework, reflect internationally recognised best design and align Northern Ireland with contemporary approaches to sustainable resource management.”
“First, I thank my Executive colleagues for their support in bringing the important Bill before the Assembly. I look forward to working constructively with Members as it progresses. <BR /> <BR />The Bill is a significant and necessary step forward in how we manage, protect and develop Northern Ireland's fisheries, aquaculture sector and the wider water environment. Its purpose is clear: to modernise outdated law, strengthen accountability, protect the environment and support responsible economic opportunity. <BR /> <BR />The Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 has served us well, but it was designed for a very different world. Since its enactment, pressures on fish stocks have increased, biodiversity loss has become more evident and the impacts of climate change have become better understood.”
“I am therefore pleased to commend the motion to the House.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the Members who contributed to the debate. It might have been a short debate, but it is on an important issue. The regulations represent my Department's ongoing commitment to driving forward the highest possible standards of animal welfare. This is one of the key areas in the animal welfare pathway that the Department is pursuing. The proposed regulations will strengthen confidence that proper standards are being upheld at the point at which animals are at their most vulnerable. The regulations have broad support, as indicated by the response to the consultation and the response of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. I thank the Committee for the work that it has done on the regulations through its scrutiny. The regulations have been agreed by the Executive.”
“They will also provide greater assurance to the public that proper standards are being maintained and upheld. For those reasons, I commend the draft Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 to the Assembly and ask Members to support their approval as a necessary and proportionate step to strengthen animal welfare oversight in Northern Ireland.”
“An individual who is found guilty of an offence will be subject, upon summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, which is currently £5,000. The Department will work closely with operators to support compliance. Clear guidance will be issued to assist with implementation. I assure Members that the regulations include appropriate safeguards in respect of privacy and data protection. CCTV will apply only within operational areas, and operators will remain responsible for meeting their obligations under UK GDPR requirements. <BR /> <BR />In short, the regulations are sensible, balanced, targeted and overdue. They will improve oversight, strengthen enforcement and enhance animal welfare protections at a critical point in the production process.”
“It demonstrates not only broad backing for the principle of the regulations but confidence that the approach that we are taking is balanced, workable and justified. <BR /> <BR />Let me be clear: the regulations have been designed with proportionality in mind, and the Department has carefully considered the practical implications for industry. There will be a six-month implementation period before the enforcement provisions take effect, allowing operators sufficient time to make any necessary adjustments and thus ensuring orderly transition to compliance. The regulations will create specific offences, including failure to install CCTV equipment; obstructing access to CCTV recordings; and failure to provide documents or images that are required to be retained for up to 90 days.”
“Stakeholders also noted that CCTV can help operators to respond to unfounded allegations made by external parties. <BR /> <BR />The case for action is reinforced by the responses to the public consultation. Support for mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses is strong and clear from the consultation responses. Over 90% of respondents support the proposal, regardless of slaughterhouse size. In response to the consultation, 91% of respondents agreed with the proposal that CCTV coverage should be retained for 90 days to allow sufficient time for review and enforcement, if necessary. The consultation also showed that 77% of respondents consider the associated costs to be reasonable and proportionate. That is a significant finding.”
“A review carried out by DEFRA found that stakeholders said that having CCTV promotes consistency across slaughterhouses by helping to maintain high standards. That review also showed that, in the five-year period following the introduction of the legislation, the rate of major and critical animal welfare non-compliance fell by 30%. Furthermore, requiring CCTV in all areas where live animals are present has improved oversight of processes in locations that are inaccessible or that are unsafe for direct observation. <BR /> <BR />CCTV has also been used as a training and identification tool, helping officials to address issues and identify training before enforcement action is necessary. As well as identifying poor welfare practices, CCTV has enabled examples of best practice and strong technical competence to be used in operator training.”
“The regulations will directly address that gap in a way that is clear, proportionate and enforceable. <BR /> <BR />It is important to recognise the broader context. England introduced mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses in 2018; Scotland followed in 2022; and Wales introduced similar legislation in 2024. Northern Ireland should not be the only UK jurisdiction without equivalent legislation. By bringing the regulations forward now, we will make sure that our framework reflects both public expectation and the standards that are in place elsewhere. Indeed, I was able to lean on the experience and findings of other UK jurisdictions to weigh up whether the legislation would deliver benefits for Northern Ireland.”
“They will require all slaughterhouses in Northern Ireland to install and operate CCTV in all areas in which live animals are present, including unloading, lairage, handling, stunning and killing areas. Operators will have to retain footage for a minimum of 90 days and make it available, where necessary, to official veterinarians and authorised inspectors for enforcement purposes. Taken together, those requirements will create a clear and consistent framework across the sector. That matters because protecting animal welfare at the time of slaughter is a statutory obligation and a fundamental responsibility. Although the majority of slaughterhouses in Northern Ireland already operate CCTV systems, there is currently no legal requirement governing camera coverage, recording quality, retention periods or access arrangements.”
“Enacting the legislation is the first step towards delivering the commitments set out in the animal welfare pathway. The regulations constitute practical, evidence-based reform that will help raise standards in a real and measurable way. They are not about having more bureaucracy or putting down a needless requirement on paper but about improving oversight, increasing consistency and strengthening confidence that proper standards are being upheld at the point at which animals are at their most vulnerable. The regulations will enhance our existing animal welfare law and support effective enforcement. <BR /> <BR />What that in mind, I will inform the House of what the regulations will do.”
“I am therefore pleased to bring the regulations to the House today. They will not only maintain legislative parity with the rest of the UK but protect animals at the point of slaughter, as well as businesses and their employees. <BR /> <BR />I will get into the detail of the regulations later. I consider the act of making them to be very important, however. It is vital that we be seen to have animal welfare laws that keep pace with, rather than lag behind, those in other jurisdictions across these islands. That sends out a message that we are a progressive society that takes the right steps to implement the best possible expert advice. In that regard, the regulations represent a proportionate and necessary step forward. <BR /> <BR />I have consistently made it clear that animal welfare is one of my top priorities.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to debate this motion, which seeks the Assembly's approval to introduce the draft Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. <BR /> <BR />In 2015, the then Farm Animal Welfare Committee, now the Animal Welfare Committee, which is an expert group that advises all Governments in the UK, including that of Northern Ireland, on matters relating to the slaughter of animals, recommended that the use of CCTV be made mandatory in all abattoirs. Its overriding view was that mandatory CCTV would strengthen the operation and application of existing welfare protections for animals when they reach the point of slaughter. Northern Ireland is the last jurisdiction to implement the recommendations from that report.”
“I beg to introduce the Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill [NIA 38/22-27], which is a Bill to make provision about the functions of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in relation to fisheries and inland waters; about enforcement powers in relation to sea fisheries; about penalties and modes of trial for certain offences relating to fisheries, sea fish conservation and the water environment; about aquaculture licensing; about the licensing of the sale of fish and the recovery of expenses for river bed remedial works; and for connected purposes.”
“There is a difference of opinion on the amendments that Daniel McCrossan proposed, and the House will make a decision on those. It has been a useful debate. I thank the Committee for its work on the Bill. Hopefully, we can move through the Consideration Stage and continue the Bill's passage.”
“Tom Buchanan asked whether we would continue to engage with local government, and we will, particularly on the statutory guidance. We want to work in partnership with local government so that its needs are reflected in the guidance. That is the best way forward, rather than putting definitions and terminology in the Bill. Gareth Wilson mentioned my engagement with the Department of Infrastructure on roads legislation. I am happy to write to the Member about that. <BR /> <BR />The legislation seeks to provide a flexible opportunity for councils to implement the legislation as they choose. It is a discretionary power for councils to use. I value Michelle McIlveen’s contribution, and I understand that the legislation has been in gestation for a long time. It is clear that, after the Bill is passed, it will be for councils to use the powers.”
“I will be happy to engage, but I need to understand the particular request. I set out the role of the statutory guidance, which will be important. Hardwiring definitions into the primary legislation could make the Bill inoperable; we have to be conscious of that impact. In the Bill, we are trying to reflect practice in the rest of the UK and Ireland. We must be attuned to the fact that it is a discretionary power and that it is for councils to make the decision on whether to intervene. There will be a benefit to councils' rates base in bringing dilapidated buildings back into use. We have done the engagement. I am very keen to work with councils, because they will be at the coalface of delivering the legislation.”
“That included the organisation of dedicated round-table sessions involving departmental officials and Assembly Bill Office officials, which represented a significant and, in the Committee's view, proportionate response to the issues raised. <BR /> <BR />I understand the concerns, but if the Committee has done the work — I am grateful for that — and the Department carried out significant engagement as part of that, and we have reached Consideration Stage. I do not know what more I can do about concerns that have now been articulated at a late stage in this place, but, hopefully, we can move forward. We will have Further Consideration Stage and Final Stage. I do not agree with the Member —.”
“The Committee then gave detailed consideration and due diligence to all proposals submitted by NILGA, alongside the Department's responses, as set out in the Committee's report on the Bill. Whilst Committee members noted that not all of NILGA's proposed amendments had been taken forward by the Minister, the Committee was content with the rationale that the Department provided for not proceeding with those amendments. The report concludes by stating that the Committee made extensive efforts — I value those efforts — to facilitate and respond to stakeholder input, including accommodating late-stage evidence from NILGA and Building Control Northern Ireland.”
“I appreciate that, but I heard what your position was likely to be, and I reached out to the Chief Whip of your party to understand the position, and it has now been articulated today in the Chamber. I try to work with people to address their concerns. It is an Executive Bill. I am trying to understand the issue. It is Executive legislation, and we need to have trust to progress legislation in this place. We have diligently sought to try to address the concerns of local government, and statutory guidance will be published that will hopefully give the clarity that is required. <BR /> <BR />I am also conscious that the AERA Committee wrote back to SOLACE in response to recommendations made on 22 May.”
“I first heard how Sinn Féin was likely to vote on the issue in the canteen yesterday. I hope that the Government of Northern Ireland can be better than that and that we can try to work through it. I was disappointed because I am very conscious of the report that came from the Committee, which, we understood, had been agreed unanimously in Committee. Therefore, I took that as an expressed position from all members on the Committee. <BR /> <BR />I have tried, and I set it out yesterday in Question Time and again today, to be very conscious of the concerns of local government. We have done significant engagement on that, and we are very clear —”
“While it attempted to place cost estimates under different scenarios for remediation costs, the fact is that the costs should, first and foremost, fall to those with a financial interest in a property. The Bill seeks to do that by including robust cost recovery provisions, including a charge on land, the power of sale and financial penalties. Hopefully, that sets that out. <BR /> <BR />In relation to the contributions from Áine Murphy and Sinn Féin's perspective, I recognise the broad support for the principles —. Sorry, it was Aoife. I am grateful for the support for the broad principles of the Bill. Hopefully, it will pass Consideration Stage, and we can move the Bill forward. I did state that I was disappointed and rather taken aback by the approach that has been outlined today.”
“The programme articulates a vision for maximising the limited budgets available for regeneration through focused, strategically aligned projects. The proposed programme would seek to deliver place-based regeneration and infrastructure interventions, which would be delivered by councils. It is intended that a final set of proposals will be brought forward for ministerial and Executive consideration in the coming months. <BR /> <BR />I understand that Patsy's contribution was part of an intervention, but Daniel McCrossan referenced the Ulster University report of 2018. It was commissioned for my Department to establish the scale of the problem across all property types.”