Liz Kimmins
Newry and Armagh · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I do not know how it will have affected North Antrim specifically unless the Member is referring to something in particular. We all have a responsibility in climate change and what we do to try to mitigate its impacts.”
“As the Member rightly said, removal of the zero-detriment policy is for the AERA Minister, and I have engaged with the Minister on that, as well as on the removal of the statement of regulatory principles and intent. I recognise that removing that would have detrimental impact on future development.”
“In response, we recently developed and introduced new appraisal guidance, which represents a significant and deliberate shift in approach. Under the previous arrangements, schemes were largely determined by a monetised cost-benefit ratio threshold where, typically, projects that fell below a ratio of one did not progress.”
“A number of significant issues have led to that scenario. I assume that the Member is referring to waste water capacity. I have said that NI Water has suggested that it needs between £3·5 billion to £3·6 billion for the next price control period.”
“Recruitment is a key challenge faced by all Departments. In questions to the Minister of Health, my colleague from Newry and Armagh referred to the recruitment issue that recently impacted on Daisy Hill. The challenge is not unique to DFI. I want to put a focus on ensuring that we build our internal capacity and improve staffing levels.”
“The Executive and the Assembly agree that the Executive's Budget is not adequate, which is why we are in that negotiation. When it comes to the capital budget, we have to factor in a timeline for the legal challenge that we are going through. It is unlikely that we will get a decision from the court on this side of the summer recess.”
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“As I said, we continually look at how we can obtain the funding to deliver BRT2 fully. We are committed to seeing its full realisation, and I will continue to work towards achieving that, while delivering on the phase that we announced last year. <BR /> <BR />We are always looking to make other public transport enhancements and improvements. The Member will be aware of the need for prioritisation under the all-island strategic rail review and of some of the other work that has been done. I am happy to provide more detail on where we are at with those specific asks, but I have set out clearly what the plans are.”
“Yes, there has been absolutely no delay. I feel that there has been a misinterpretation of the responses that I gave on the timeline for the Glider and potentially a misunderstanding of the timeline that was announced in the statement last year. Progress to date includes completion of the feasibility study to assess the suitability of extending new corridors to Carryduff and Glengormley, which, unfortunately, were deemed not to be economically viable at this time. As the Member will be aware from my announcement last February, however, the Department will keep that under review. It is only when the extensions are completed that the BRT2 will be fully delivered, and that is what I was referring to as potentially being operational by 2033.”
“As I said in response to your question, the 2033 date is in relation to the full delivery, which is in line with what I said in my statement last year. We are absolutely on track with what was set out in that statement, and I have outlined where we are with that. I feel that the community in south Belfast can have confidence, because I am aware of no unforeseen delays, and I am pleased to see that we have made good progress to date.”
“— which includes Glengormley and Carryduff, can be delivered by 2033.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Member will be aware that I announced last year that the extensions to Glengormley and Carryduff were, unfortunately, not economically feasible at this time. However, I am committed to continuing to work with Executive colleagues and city deal partners to bridge the gap, and I hope that the full extension —”
“<BR /> <BR />As part of my continued commitment to sustainability, I plan to purchase four electric Glider vehicles to be tested as a pilot scheme on the heavily utilised east-west G1 route. The outworkings of the pilot will be used to determine the practicality of the roll-out of those sustainable vehicles for BRT2 as well as future Glider routes. <BR /> <BR />The works on this phase of the BRT2 project are expected to be completed by 2030. That is in line with the statement that I made to the Assembly in February 2025. Therefore, there has been no delay. My officials are in the process of appointing engineering consultants to progress the detailed design phase, and it is hoped that groundworks will commence this year and construction early next year. Again, that is completely in line with my statement last year.”
“Whilst a significant funding shortfall remains to deliver the full scheme, I am grateful that the funding envelope of £35 million from our Belfast region city deal partners, along with £13 million that I have committed from my Department's budget, will allow the commencement of the phased delivery of the project and lay good foundations for future development as we seek to address the funding shortfall that would permit delivery of the full BRT2 project <BR /> <BR />In this early phase, I plan to deliver the extension of the existing Glider 2 (G2) service, providing linkages to Queen's University and Belfast City Hospital; infrastructure works on the southern route as far as Park Road; infrastructure works on the northern route as far as Innisfayle Park; and the delivery of the proposed park-and-ride facility at O'Neill Road.”
“On 25 February 2025, I was pleased to announce the next steps for the Belfast Rapid Transit 2 (BRT2) project, which will see the implementation of that innovative service across the north and south of the city, bringing the benefits already established by the Glider service to communities living along the route. <BR /> <BR />The outline business case for the project was submitted to the Department of Finance on 25 November last year and approved on 22 December 2025.”
“We are trying to prioritise where we can get to and where we can have the best impact, but lessons have certainly been learnt from that specific incident. We want to make sure that we do more to build community confidence and also to get ahead of any future events in preparation for longer-term measures that are in train. <BR /> <BR />In closing, I thank all Members for their contributions this evening. I appreciate having the opportunity to outline where the Department is at and also to emphasise and reinforce how important the issue is to me as the Minister and to the Department as we try to find solutions and protect people. I look forward to having continued engagement with Members and the community.”
“Those groups add another layer to the building of resilience and preparedness in communities right across the North, so we are not stepping away from our responsibilities. <BR /> <BR />My DFI Rivers operational team will continue its inspection and maintenance regime for designated watercourses, including the Sixmilewater, and their associated infrastructure in the Antrim area. If an inspection determines that there is a blockage that significantly impedes the free flow of water in the watercourse or the drainage infrastructure, works will be programmed accordingly. As we have discussed, in all those cases, without taking away from what happens in one area, resources are heavily stretched when significant flooding happens across the North.”
“<BR /> <BR />As I said, it is currently anticipated that the feasibility study should be complete by the summer, after which any opportunities to accelerate work on it will be taken. I assure Members that if we are able to expedite the feasibility study, we will do so, as we recognise just how important it has been. Since storm Chandra, we have, as I said, reviewed isolated problem areas and taken immediate action to enhance operational resilience. Further follow-up work continues to be done, including undertaking detailed investigations, capturing lessons learned and facilitating urgent meetings or discussions with a number of those who were affected by the storm. That engagement will continue through the work of the RCRG's local volunteer groups, of which there are now 50 across the North.”
“That is why I allocated money this year to the development of a flood forecasting centre. That, in itself, will enable us to get better data so that we can be better prepared. We cannot always predict the impact of the weather, but the more information that we have, the better that we can implement our preparedness. There is the work through the multi-agency partnerships and the training of staff through the civil contingencies learning and development strategy. On the community resilience piece, we mentioned the critical RCRG work in that area. I have seen that in other areas and how well it can work. <BR /> <BR />I am conscious of time, Mr Speaker, so I hope that you will allow me a wee bit of flexibility so that I can get to the end of my remarks.”
“Presently, my Department has over 50 projects in its capital works programme, over half of which have been driven by proactive work in implementing the floods directive. As I mentioned, delivery of the schemes is complex and involves a number of key stages, including feasibility, design, procurement and construction. As Members mentioned, the scheme for Riverside in the Sixmilewater area is going through the feasibility stage, and we hope to see that concluding soon. <BR /> <BR />In line with that, my Department remains committed to strengthening future preparedness. I think that that is what we all want to see and what we are all speaking to. Colin McGrath, who is not here now, mentioned the need for proper weather forecasting and how we can be more prepared.”
“That will very much change how we respond to a lot of applications going forward and will affect how seriously we take the issue. We cannot encourage someone to build a house in an area that we know will flood. All that has to be taken into consideration. <BR /> <BR />Members will know that, as part of the process, applicants must submit a flood-risk assessment and/or a drainage assessment, demonstrating that appropriate measures will effectively mitigate any flood risk to the proposed development and will not increase flood risk elsewhere. That is part of the process. <BR /> <BR />On protection, the development of flood alleviation schemes and the maintenance of drainage infrastructure are at the core of our activities.”
“I cannot speak to specific applications that were made in the past, but I recognise the concerns that have been raised by Members here and residents on the ground, and we will take those away. I am not sure whether concerns were raised at the time and applications went through or whether we felt, at that point in time, that the properties were not in a flood-prone area as such or that they would not have the impact that, people believe, they have had. I assure Members that the issue is being taken very seriously, given our experience across the board. As we see more such events, it becomes a more challenging issue. In the debate, someone mentioned the fact that more areas that never flooded previously are at high risk of flooding.”
“It is not a long-term solution to any of the issues that we are here to discuss. I know that one of the guys is a Marie Curie nurse and had to leave work. That broader impact is so important in the midst of discussing something that, you think, we should be able to address there and then. <BR /> <BR />On the prevention piece — this speaks to Dr Aiken's points — planning and flood risk policy here follows a very precautionary approach, with development in flood-prone areas avoided where possible. The issue of planning and development was raised with us by residents on the ground. Members will be aware that DFI Rivers is a statutory consultee in the planning process that is carried out by councils. We very much take it into consideration.”
“I thank the Member for that point. I am setting the scene for what happened across the board that evening. I absolutely understand that that does not give people comfort, especially if water is coming in. I met Jim and David. I was in their home and heard first-hand about their experience, which was absolutely horrendous. The stress of hoping that someone will come or offer some sort of support and not seeing that is unimaginable. As I will maybe explain later in my response, the meeting that night reflected the fact that we recognised where things did not turn out as they should have. However, we looked at that in the immediate aftermath and said, "How do we tighten it up?". I have responded to Members about how quickly we acted and how we can, hopefully, offer reassurance. It is an interim measure, and I am very conscious of that.”
“As part of that work, staff worked continuously to clear drainage infrastructure, remove fallen trees and debris, undertake pumping operations, deploy sandbags, install flood barriers and grit the network to maintain public safety during the ice weather warning.”
“<BR /> <BR />In anticipation of storm Chandra, officials met multi-agency partners, including councils, through the established channels for considering the preparation for and management of such an incident. That led to the establishment of a PSNI-led multi-agency tactical coordination group, which met before storm Chandra began and ensured coordinated 24/7 engagement with emergency partners throughout the event. My Department's major emergency response plan was then activated, and the departmental emergency management group was put in place to consider the impacts of the storm from a departmental perspective. Our operational teams responded to over 1,000 incidents, including more than 600 flooding reports and 370 obstructions on the road network.”
“<BR /> <BR />As Members have mentioned, storm Chandra last month followed the third wettest autumn on record and the second wettest January, with 100·8 millimetres of rainfall recorded in a single day in Katesbridge, which is well beyond previous site records. The prolonged spells of heavy rain resulted in the significant flooding that we saw, mainly across the south and east. As Members will know, my Department is the lead Department for the strategic coordination of the emergency response to storm impacts on the road network and to significant flooding. Following the Met Office's weather warnings, we aimed to move quickly and work closely with partner organisations to mitigate the impacts as far as possible.”
“I will cover some of that later. I do not want to go off too far now in case I lose my train of thought. <BR /> <BR />We are dealing with warmer air, climate change and increased rainfall intensity, so those factors all have to be taken into consideration. The Department and, particularly, DFI Rivers have been working on that for some time, particularly after the impact of the significant flooding in 2023. It remains a challenge without continued, adequate investment in our infrastructure. Many services that we provide continue to be under strain. The work that we need to do, particularly around flood alleviation, is challenging. We know all the key areas that need investment at this point in time, and we have to make decisions around prioritisation. That is something that we have to do across the Department.”
“<BR /> <BR />The reality is that approximately 45,000 properties here, which is about 5% of all properties across the North, are currently identified as being at flood risk from rivers, the sea or surface water. Climate change is having an impact, and, taking that into consideration, the number of properties that will be at risk will increase by approximately 14,800.”
“As Members mentioned, I visited the Riverside area, and I did that because I genuinely care. Flooding has impacted on people in my constituency, so I know the far-reaching effects that it has on people's physical and mental health. People talked about being on rain watch, and I am always conscious, for anyone who has been affected by flooding at any stage, that it never leaves them. They will constantly worry every time they see heavy rainfall. As Members have rightly pointed out, such rainfall is becoming more frequent. Therefore, it is becoming many people's everyday concern, and it is something that they constantly have to deal with.”
“I thank Steve Aiken for securing the Adjournment debate. I acknowledge the distress that has been experienced by residents, businesses and the wider community who have been impacted by flooding at the Sixmilewater river. No one in my Department, including me, wants to see that level of destruction and what is, to an extent, harm being caused across the region.”
“For accuracy, the Member will agree that the cost of rectifying the impact on our road network of many years of underfunding has also risen. On paper, it may appear that the budget has increased, but we also have to deal with the challenges with our waste water, which comes out of capital funding, and all the other things that, the Member and his party are quick to say, we should have the funding for.”
“Long-term underinvestment in our roads is impacting on the network's integrity, leading to steady deterioration, particularly in our rural roads. That is not what the public nor I or my Department want to see. I continue to work with everyone who is willing to work with me to develop a new road maintenance strategy and to work hard to address the impact of years of underinvestment in roads maintenance. I thank Members for the opportunity to speak on the motion. I look forward to seeing real change in the time ahead: that is what I will continue to strive for.”
“To seek to address those challenges, my officials have been taking forward a transformation programme to reshape how we deliver our transport and road operation and maintenance functions as the funding and workforce challenges are not expected to ease any time soon. We are, therefore, taking a realistic view of the workforce that we expect to have in the future, and the work aims to ensure that we can sustainably and competently deliver our responsibilities in the years ahead. The new strategy is a key part of that wider work. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Members who tabled the motion and for the contributions that Members have made to the debate. I reiterate that the value of our infrastructure and, in particular, our road network cannot be overstated.”
“Implementing the new strategy will be invaluable in meeting those objectives. However, it is important to recognise that those measures on their own will not address the consequences of years of underinvestment, which is why it is important that I work with all Executive colleagues to ensure that appropriate investment is allocated to improve the quality of our road network and contribute to the delivery of the priorities set out in our agreed Programme for Government. <BR /> <BR />The relentless pressures on public-sector funding have led to significant workforce constraints and operational difficulties that have adversely affected the management and maintenance of the transport network and have contributed to our maintenance backlog.”
“<BR /> <BR />While the quality of repairs is currently monitored as part of routine highway inspections, the new digital survey will be a major advance in the assessment of the condition and durability of repairs on the network as well as the performance of reinstatements associated with utility openings. There are cases in which a road that has been resurfaced and is in good condition is opened by various companies but is not reinstated to the standard that we would expect. Such cases are probably a bugbear for all of us. That is another issue that we are attempting to tackle in the digital survey and the new road maintenance strategy. <BR /> <BR />I remain committed to prioritising road maintenance, improving repair quality and ensuring a safer and more resilient road network.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have also committed to investing £1·3 million in the provision of a groundbreaking full digital survey of the North's entire road network. Members talked about the importance of using digital technology and innovation to make smarter, more effective and more efficient decisions, and that is why we are progressing that aspect. The data that will be provided by the new digital stocktake will assist in targeting resources for routine maintenance activities, such as patching, to ensure the best utilisation of scarce resources. It is not just about looking at what the key issues are now but about recognising what will be problematic in the time ahead and how we can get ahead of that to prevent the situations that we are seeing across the North.”
“On 2 December 2025, I launched the public consultation on the strategy, the main objectives of which are to improve the overall condition of the road network and enhance safety and quality — all of the things that we have talked about today and that are important to us all. The strategy will be implemented through the delivery of a targeted programme of intelligent maintenance investment and a sustainable maintenance regime. As Members will know, the consultation ended at the end of last month. Initial indications have shown a positive response, but we are continuing to take a detailed look at the responses that have been provided, and we will publish a consultation report and aim to finalise the strategy in due course.”
“It will be challenging to address the years of underfunding, but I am committed to improving our roads, which I have shown through my continued efforts to secure additional funding in-year and through the development of the new road maintenance strategy. <BR /> <BR />This is an opportunity for us to change how we do things. Some Members asked about action plans and all of that. At this stage, that work is very high level, because the public consultation, which is carried out for any strategy or piece of work by the Department, has just closed. We will analyse the responses to the consultation, which will shape what comes next when we finalise the strategy. Hopefully, we will see a real difference, given the impact of 10 years of limited service and underfunding.”
“That money is being used to deliver an enhanced structural maintenance programme, which includes large-scale patching and resurfacing that is targeted at those areas of greatest need across the North. That work has already commenced. <BR /> <BR />Whilst the budget for 2025-26 remains challenging, my Department continues to prioritise key essential services, ensuring the delivery of the highest-priority resurfacing, roadside stability and drainage projects. I have set out my Department's investment needs as part of future Budget exercises, and I will continue to engage with Executive colleagues in order to maximise the investment that is required for our infrastructure.”
“She mentioned the Lough Shore Road outside Enniskillen, and she will know that I previously responded to her question about the very complex issues that affect that particular road, including its structure. I hope that the Member will be reassured that the Department is continually assessing and monitoring that road in order to find a long-term solution. However, it is, unfortunately, not that simple or straightforward. <BR /> <BR />In addition to the £30 million that I mentioned, I recently allocated, as Members have said, £7·85 million to mitigate the impact of recent winter weather conditions, given how they have affected our road network.”
“I was able to reprioritise funding within my Department, and that, along with the outcome of the December monitoring round, meant that I was able to announce additional funding of more than £30 million towards improving our roads, including an additional £4 million that was allocated to the road recovery fund to continue to address the poor condition of our rural road network. Diana Armstrong highlighted the issues that impact on rural areas in particular. As I cover a large rural area myself, I am extremely cognisant of those issues. That is why I have made a concerted effort to maximise the funding that I am able to direct to the road recovery fund.”
“It is readily apparent that a difference in quality should be expected when such a significant shortfall in maintenance spending occurs. The Executive agreed the 2025-26 Budget, and best use has been made of that funding in order to target road resurfacing. In this financial year, I initially allocated £68 million to capital structural maintenance, which includes resurfacing and surface dressing. I am delivering on my commitment to do all that I can to make our roads better.”
“Let me be clear, however: no British Government have served or will ever serve the interests of the people here. I certainly will not give them cover for their lack of investment and lack of care, the impact of which continue to be felt by the Executive and the people whom I represent. <BR /> <BR />I was also asked where our road tax goes. Our road tax goes to Westminster, which then decides what cut we should get. It does not come to the Executive. That is an important point for everyone to remember. If our road tax was directed here, perhaps we could do more with it. <BR /> <BR />The estimated value of the shortfall in funding between what was needed in order to maintain the network and what was available to be spent between 2014 and 2024 is approximately £1 billion.”
“Much has been said about the amount of money that is required to properly maintain our entire road network. The Barton report stated that it amounts to around £1·6 billion, which is almost double the capital budget that I have for this year. How do we square that circle, folks? How do we ensure that we are maximising what we have when the money simply is not there? <BR /> <BR />Like other Departments, my Department has been operating in a very difficult financial environment, due to British Government underfunding and austerity. The Member for Newry and Armagh, Justin McNulty, joked about the big, bad British Government, which comes as no surprise, as his party colleagues continue to cosy up to the British Government on the green Benches at Westminster.”
“I have developed that strategy because we recognise that what has been done to date is not working, and that we have to think outside the box. We have to do things differently within the limits of the budget that we have. I have set out my Department's investment needs as part of future Budget exercises, and I will continue to engage with my Executive colleagues on the investment required in our infrastructure in order to maximise the benefit to our communities and generate economic growth.”
“In January alone, we saw the extremes, beginning with below-average temperatures that resulted in snow, moving to record rainfall and, most recently, storm Chandra, which contributed to a new January rainfall record for the North. As I stated previously, it was the highest level since records began. <BR /> <BR />The motion draws attention to the detrimental consequences of more than a decade of underfunding in our road network. I am committed to delivering essential improvements through the implementation of my Department's road maintenance strategy, which will benefit our citizens, our communities and the wider economy. It is a new approach that will focus our limited resources on safety and value for money. Members on the Benches opposite tell me to get to grips with the issue and take action. That is what I am doing.”
“That is what we have seen over the past couple of months. Heavy and prolonged rain damages underlying layers, reducing a road's load-bearing capacity and leading to potholes, rutting and surface deformation. Flooding can also erode sub-base materials, damage embankments and block drainage systems, creating long-term water damage. Overall, adverse weather speeds up both surface wear and structural fatigue, increasing our maintenance needs and reducing the lifespan of the road. That is what we have seen in recent times in particular. <BR /> <BR />This winter, we have already seen significant rainfall aligned to the changing weather patterns that we are becoming used to.”
“<BR /> <BR />As a result of that approach, we have seen the continued deterioration of our infrastructure, with large numbers of potholes and other defects developing across the road network, especially after periods of particularly cold or wet weather. Undoubtedly, the winter period has taken a severe toll on the road network. I am not saying that that is the only issue, but those are the facts. The situation has also been exacerbated by many years of underfunding. As mentioned, in the past three months alone, nearly 50,000 defects have been reported, which is close to half the total for the whole of the previous year. Potholes and other surface defects on the roads are more likely to happen at this time of year because, when it rains, water enters the small cracks, and freeze-thaw cycles expand and break apart the surface.”
“Although my officials have worked very hard to maintain the road network to the best of their ability, they have nonetheless been forced to concentrate on only the highest-priority road repairs and have had to introduce the limited-service approach to road maintenance, which was mentioned. One Member said that that has been in place for over 10 years. I think that it was put in place in 2015 under the then UUP Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy and subsequently by the DUP Infrastructure Minister Michelle McIlveen. The issue has impacted on every party in the House that has taken on the Ministry. It is not a new issue, but I am absolutely trying to change the approach, because we all recognise that it is not working for people out there.”
“I am well aware of the frustrations and, at times, the significant inconvenience caused by the condition of our roads. People in communities rely on the road network to do business, go to work, go to school and connect with one another. Road safety is an extremely high priority for my Department, and Members will be aware of the work that we have been doing in that regard. We are committed to working proactively to make our roads safer and address the needs of all road users. <BR /> <BR />I am all too aware of the impact of recent storms and cold weather on the road network, and I take the issue very seriously.”
“I welcome the discussion on the condition of the road network here in the North. We have spoken many times, and in recent weeks in particular, about the high numbers of potholes that have been recorded and the increase in expenditure on public liability claims, specifically over the past five years. I note Members' concerns about the longer-term impact of the Department's limited road maintenance service. I also have serious concerns about that and am actively working to try to change it. <BR /> <BR />I strongly agree that the maintenance of the road network is crucial for the safety of all road users, be they travelling in a vehicle, on a bike or on foot. Investing in the maintenance of our roads is also critical for the movement of goods and the growth of our economy, and to ensuring that our communities are connected.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“As the Member will know, having been a Minister, of course I engage with my officials before every appearance in the Chamber to ensure that I have the facts at hand. As I did prior to the previous discussion on the issue, I engaged with officials to find out the accurate timeline, what correspondence was issued and where things stand.”
“As I have previously said, correspondence was issued by my Department in November, and, since then, whatever billboards were there previously have been removed.”
“I am not suggesting that such issues are not important. I am saying that we are now talking about something that happened in the past. The billboard was removed subsequent to correspondence being issued. That is a fact. We are now talking about something from the past. I can speak only to the information and the understanding that I have. This highlights the need for a broader discussion about how we properly regulate and deal with issues, so that we are not in the Chamber every other week talking about single-item issues that do not impact on the people whom we represent, who are sitting on a waiting list, trying to put food on their table and trying to get their child a place in a special educational school.”
“I have never said that there was not a billboard. What I said was that, after the issue was brought to my attention, we had a discussion in the Chamber, and, at that time, there was no Sinn Féin billboard there.”