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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“<BR /> <BR />Some statements that we heard are contradictory. We heard about a maintenance backlog of over five years and what that has cost. I think that the figure that was quoted was £1 billion. That is as a result of years and years of underinvestment and Tory austerity: that is a fact. We are now trying to address that backlog while doing what we should be doing daily anyway. I think that we can square that circle at some stage if we get the money. That underinvestment creates significant challenges for our ability to maintain the road network in a safe condition, and that has been the predominant issue in the discussion this evening. I share the frustrations and, at times, see the inconvenience that this matter causes for all our constituents. We are all road users, as has been articulated this evening.”
“<BR /> <BR />You would be forgiven for thinking that the roads issue has come about in just the past seven months, and that it is as a result of a decision not to fund the maintenance of our roads, when quite the opposite is true. My Department, like other Departments, as I am sure colleagues from many parties will be aware, has been operating in an extremely difficult financial environment for a number of years. I thank the Member for North Down, who is not in the Chamber now, for recognising that that is as a result of a number of years of underfunding and austerity by the British Government. Whilst I take on board the comments that that Government have now changed and that people want to hear about the root cause of the problem, I say this: I know what the root cause is; it is a lack of funding for many years.”
“I thank the Members for tabling this important motion on the condition of the road network in the North, specifically the high number of potholes recorded and the increase in expenditure on public liability claims in the past five years. I note the concerns about the longer-term impact of the Department's limited service for road maintenance, which we have seen for a number of years now. I listened intently to the comments of, and issues raised by, Members across the Chamber. I heard their concerns loud and clear, because I agree that maintenance of the road network is crucial for the safety of all road users, and that investing in the maintenance of roads is critical to the movement of goods and, indeed, the growth of our economy.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle.”
“I will come back to the Member in writing, if she is happy enough for me to do that, so that I can give accurate timings and budget. I attended the recent opening of the greenway at the Newtownards end. We are keen to see that progress.”
“The draft road maintenance strategy that I have articulated should help to address the issues that you have outlined. We have had numerous conversations about how we can fix one hole in a road because it meets the criteria but bypass three or four other holes. That is the type of work that we will try to tackle as part of the strategy and that we are not seeing. It will, in my humble view, have an impact. I am sure that your colleague in North Down, where it has been trialled, has seen the impact and what it can do. Again, it will not solve all our problems, but my intention is to increase the resilience and sustainability of our road network.”
“I know that I will not solve it all — I have to be realistic: my whole budget at this point probably could not solve what needs to be done — but I am determined to increase investment and do what needs to be done. That is what I am trying to do through the road maintenance strategy.”
“When you compare the allocation for the road safety budget with the structural maintenance budget, you see that they are very different figures: £2·4 million and £68 million. As I said in response to other Members, I fully recognise that the budget for structural maintenance is far from what it needs to be, and I will continue to work to ensure that we get adequate funding and investment to meet the needs. I recognise that it is important not just to ensure that our roads are in a fit state but for health and safety. It is important that roads that are in an unacceptably poor condition and pose a real health and safety risk are reported. I know that the Member will do that. I am acutely aware of the issue, and I am keen to see how I can make an impact.”
“It is fair to say that a lot of areas, including mine, would be able to make the same argument. It is about looking at it as a whole. On prioritisation, the list of works that are needed is put forward through the divisions and then to the Department. I do not decide who gets what, unfortunately. However, I take into account what the Member says and the frustration that can be felt. All I can say at this point is that I am trying to ensure that we get acceptable levels of funding into structural maintenance to ensure that we deliver a service across the North that people can see and feel and that will make a real impact in all our communities.”
“In response to earlier questions, I said that a number of factors are taken into consideration when allocating funds. As part of that, section offices will put forward their increasing needs or what is required in their area, the major demands and the critical issues. A lot of methodology goes into that. Essentially, that is what helps to ensure that the allocations are fair and that funding is delivered equitably across the North.”
“Absolutely. The restoration of the Ulster canal will offer a very attractive cross-border holiday destination for visitors not only from across Ireland but from abroad. When completed, it will form part of an all-Ireland inland water system, allowing visitors to travel from Clones in the South to Enniskillen in the North, as well as the rest of the Erne and Shannon water systems. As I said, I have seen for myself increased visitor numbers and the opportunities that phase 2 has brought to Clones. The remainder of the project raises the possibility of increased economic activity through tourism and hospitality along that route.”
“The Ulster canal project is being progressed in three phases. Phase 1 goes from Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson, and phase 2 goes from Clones to Clonfad. Both are now complete and open for navigation. I was lucky enough to be in Clones over the summer to see the canal and to meet Waterways Ireland. Work on the third and final phase from Castle Saunderson to Clonfad is in progress, with Waterways Ireland progressing land acquisition, planning and detailed design elements. I am fully committed to supporting the completion of the project. It is a very ambitious project that will be transformational for the communities and businesses in that region.”
“It is certainly my intention to progress and get a conclusion as soon as possible. I am considering all the advice and information that officials have provided at this stage. We are working through that, and, as soon as updates are available, I will inform the House and the Committee.”
“I mentioned the school bus legislation, and I indicated earlier this year that I am keen to introduce legislation on overtaking school buses. We are working through that, and I am being provided with advice on the best way forward. We are looking at areas such as the use of mobile phones when driving and drug-driving and drink-driving penalties, to name a few. If the Member wants more detail on that, I am happy for him to write to me on anything that I have missed.”
“Absolutely. We all want to see the same thing and get there as quickly as possible. Any more time without the new road means a risk of more lives being lost. The judge said that lives would be lost if we did not get the scheme delivered as soon as possible. I have engaged with groups such as the Enough is Enough campaign and have worked closely with representatives from the area, because I recognise that, if we work collaboratively, we can achieve exactly what we want to achieve.”
“At present, we are working through the appeal and the legal case, and it would be remiss of me to say more than that at this stage.”
“As I said, that is evidently a key issue not just for me as the Minister but for everyone involved. It is no surprise that the outcome of the ruling was extremely disappointing — that is probably an understatement — not just for me and the Department but for everyone involved, including the local representatives who have long supported the project. <BR /> <BR />As you know, we lodged the appeal, which is now due to be heard in December. That is necessary in order to resolve the important points of law that will affect all the concerned parties. While my immediate priority is the preparation of the most robust appeal that we can submit, as I have said previously, my ultimate aim remains the delivery of the A5. I am fully committed to doing all that I can to ensure that we get to that point as quickly as possible.”
“Having had similar issues in my constituency, I know how important that is, particularly as we move into autumn. We have seen how heavy the rain has been over the past few days. It is anticipated that the feasibility study for the scheme will be completed by summer 2026. If you write to the Department, I will be happy to provide further details about the scheme and the next steps.”
“As the Member knows, I am taking legislation on flood management through the House. Maybe we can have a discussion as part of that process. At present, as the Member knows, we have a scheme in place for homeowners. I am happy to have a conversation to see whether one for commercial properties is something that we can do in the Department and whether Departments can work together. As the Member also knows, the Department for the Economy has stepped in previously to assist in the aftermath of flooding, so there is definitely a conversation to be had. Through my Department, there are flood alleviation schemes in place for town and city centres to try to address the issue. I will, however, consider anything more specific that is brought to me.”
“If the Member can point to the mess, I will happily look into it. The judge's comments were very clear. He recognised that every effort had been made to get the scheme delivered. It is an issue that we have to look at, and that is why I am going through the appeal process. I am telling the Member now that I am determined that we will deliver the scheme.”
“I am not too sure what role your Minister played, but I will not get into that. The priority for me is to deliver the scheme. Let us work together. Let us work collaboratively and get it over the line. That is what I am determined to do.”
“My focus now is on delivering for those families, on delivering for the communities in and around the A5 and on working with counterparts in the South. I have met representatives from across the island who all have a passion for the project and want to see it delivered. That is what my focus is on, and it is what I continue to work towards. I will not be distracted by petty party politics. A number of Ministers have been involved with the scheme, not just those from Sinn Féin.”
“Let me be clear: the A5 has been an issue for many years, as the Member rightly pointed out. I will not say that that is because of the incompetence of officials, because I know that they have been working extremely hard. Many of them live in or are from the area and are passionate about the scheme. The Member's colleague can shake his head all that he wants, but have respect for the people who have put their heart and soul into delivering the scheme. <BR /> <BR />The reality is that we are into new territory with the Climate Change Act. Despite what people have said, I work closely with my colleague in DAERA. Prior to my involvement, officials had been meeting him frequently and dealing with the scheme as comprehensively and robustly as possible.”
“That approach will focus on delivering higher-quality repairs instead of spreading resources too thinly, ensuring a more reliable and safer road network where we intervene. It will be data-driven and supported by sound engineering judgement and address the problem in a more meaningful and sustainable manner. Officials are finalising work on a draft road maintenance strategy that I will then be able to share more widely. As Members know, public finances are limited, and we have a lot to do to make up for the years of austerity and underfunding, but I am committed to ensuring that people are at the heart of funding decisions and that we do all that we can to be efficient and effective in delivering public services.”
“I fully recognise the importance of the road network and the vital role that it plays in connecting our people and communities as well as in supporting the wider economy. As I have said, my Department has operated within a constrained maintenance budget for many years. That has resulted in underinvestment in our infrastructure and deterioration in the condition of our roads. That is why my officials have been working on the development of a new road maintenance strategy and a new approach to dealing with road maintenance.”
“I do not have that figure to hand. I can give an idea of the overall cost, and, if the Member wishes to write to me, I will be able to provide a more up-to-date figure for the costs incurred so far. There is already a shortfall of approximately £22 million funding for the scheme overall, and a lot of work is still to happen. I can come back to the Member with the figure as it stands.”
“A total of 214 responses to the consultation were received, which shows the depth of feeling in the area and that people want to be a part of the process. That consultation was held between 21 January and 4 March 2025. Of those representations, 154 were objections, 55% of which cited the inclusion of the fixed bridge as the reason for their objection. There were 15 responses supporting the proposed scheme, 24 general comments and 21 responses that were not applicable to the scheme.”
“My position on the road is absolutely on the record, and I will never move from that position. As a Minister, I have to consider all the responses to the consultation and be impartial. My officials are working through that. The voices of everyone who has made a representation will be heard and the issues that they have raised will be considered as part of that process.”
“It would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail on the judgement while the appeal is live, but, as my officials work hard to prepare for the appeal hearing, I will take the necessary time to carefully consider the potential impact of the judgement on other projects, including the southern relief road, as they move through the next stages of delivery.”
“The public consultation exercise for the Newry southern relief road concluded on 4 March 2025. I have received a comprehensive report from my officials covering the many detailed representations that were received as part of the process and am giving careful consideration to its contents. My Department’s major project portfolio is complex, with a range of projects at various stages of development and delivery. Every project will have its own specific considerations. In common with all Departments, I am mindful of the impact of the judgement on the A5 project, which was extremely disappointing and against which, as Members know, I have lodged an appeal.”
“As the Member will be aware, we are in the process of appealing the ruling on the A5. At present, that is my focus and that of my officials. As I said, however, all improvements to existing road safety infrastructure remain under review. We will continue to do that, but I do not have a figure for any of that at this time.”
“I mentioned earlier the campaigns about school buses; I have also done campaigns on fitness to drive and awareness of medical declarations and similar issues. I am working with officials across my Department and the Department of Health to look at how we can further widen that work to protect more people — some suggestions have even come up during Question Time. It goes back to the point about the need to address driver behaviour in everything that I look at. I have increased the budget because I recognise that, if we can get that message into people's minds, we could make a real difference.”
“As I have said in previous answers, road safety is a priority for me, which is why I have increased the road safety advertising budget by over £1·5 million to £2·4 million. With that, I will reinstate a programme of campaigns addressing the main causes of road traffic collisions. I have prioritised the reinstatement of pedestrian and motorcyclist safety campaigns, as both are vulnerable road user groups — those will go live as soon as possible — and I will commission a new anti-drug-driving campaign to address the increase in drug-driving, which is a key area that needs to be looked at. <BR /> <BR />The Member will be aware that I am looking at a number of things as part of that programme. We constantly review whether we are doing enough and whether we can close the gaps.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Member's colleague can make comments in the background, but I am sure that his colleague who was previously the Infrastructure Minister would agree with me, because she faced the same challenge. Let me tell you this: I will do everything that I can to ensure that we get fair allocations for our roads, particularly rural roads, which are in the worst state that we have ever seen. Take this as a strong commitment from me: I will continue to fight for more money to look after our roads and bring them up to the standard that is acceptable to all.”
“I share the Mineral Products Association's concerns, and I have outlined that clearly. The reality is that the budget is nowhere near enough for me to do everything that needs to be done. In fact, as I communicated to the representatives when I met them, the reason that my budget took so long to agree is that I was trying to squeeze money from wherever I could to ensure that we could put more into structural maintenance. It is just not possible at this point. That is unfortunate, but it is the result of over a decade of underfunding through Tory austerity. Everyone in the House knows that and agrees, because we all agreed that we did not get the Budget or the funding that we needed.”
“Absolutely. If road surfaces, footpaths or any types of infrastructure pose a risk to the health and safety of anyone in our community, they need to be looked at. If the Member writes to me, we can ensure that a site visit is arranged.”
“Yearly allocations vary to reflect funding pressures in section office areas and are influenced by specific allocations for high-priority works such as trunk road resurfacing schemes and structural stability schemes, including coastal defence repairs. On that basis, it can be assumed that no section office or council area will receive a fixed percentage of the available allocation each year.”
“Where our internal capacity cannot fully deliver the current requirements, my Department’s divisions or section offices must engage the services of external contractors. That cost will differ across council areas depending on relevant capacity and external contract rates. My Department’s four Roads divisions broadly use the indicators that I have mentioned when apportioning their allocation across council areas to ensure, as far as possible, that there is an equitable distribution of funds. However, it is important to say that the exact combination of indicators and metrics used in each Roads division will vary and be tailored to the individual needs and circumstances in that division at that time.”
“Allocations for road maintenance activities are made to my Department’s four Roads divisions on the basis of need, using a range of weighted indicators tailored to the particular repair or improvement intervention. In distributing the resources available for structural maintenance activities, such as resurfacing and surface dressing, those indicators take into consideration criteria such as carriageway area, traffic and road condition. For essential maintenance activities, such as patching and grass cutting, the factors taken into consideration in distributing the available funding include defect information, areas of grass and numbers of gullies. <BR /> <BR />The capacity of our internal contractor is also a factor in the allocation of funding.”
“As I said before, we have reviewed it, as the Member is aware. The bottom line is that there is a standard that we have to meet. The Alliance MLA for the area has also met me on the matter. I have a responsibility to meet the standards that are set — not by me but for me. The alternative that we offered was to remove part of the fencing: that was as far as we could go given those standards. I accept that it is not what people want, but, at the same time, if someone is hurt or injured as a result of our not meeting the policy, that falls to me. We were keen to find a balance so that we addressed our responsibilities and took into account the views of the local community.”
“We had this conversation in Committee as well. We have to recognise the importance of adequately maintaining our existing network. That means looking at the overall budget and how we allocate it. There will always be difficult decisions to be made around prioritisation. Like I have said in response to other questions here today, including the question that your colleague asked regarding pedestrian crossings, decisions are made based on the prioritisation of those schemes. That question could apply to any aspect of the work that I do in my Department or that the Health or Education Ministers do in theirs. We have to prioritise things on how adequate they are and the needs that they present. The same applies to existing infrastructure and how we ensure that the worst issues are dealt with and worked through as soon as possible.”
“Public consultation on the draft active travel delivery plan closed on 28 February this year. I am pleased with the level of engagement on the plan, with over 330 responses having been received. My officials are reviewing all the responses and preparing a final plan, which they aim to present to me for consideration in the coming months. I hope to be in a position to publish the final plan before the end of this year. Once complete, the active travel delivery plan will complement the Belfast cycling network delivery plan and the strategic plan for greenways to provide a firm basis for the prioritisation and delivery of active travel infrastructure for the next 10 years and beyond.”
“There may be a little bit of a grey area here in that it is not a change in the definition; it is just what I am required to do given my responsibility to outline what is included in that spend. That is part of active travel infrastructure. If you are developing any piece of infrastructure, that spend would be included for the new road or whatever it may be.”
“If we do not ensure that those routes are up to standard, people will not be able use them in the way that they were designed to be used. We talk about ending violence against women and girls. There is no point putting footpaths and other infrastructure in place if women do not feel safe to use them.”
“I reiterate that it is not a change to the definition. I am now required to calculate that overall spend and report how it is made up. That is all that has changed. I am required to do that. We cannot say that we are spending x, y and z on active travel while excluding the maintenance of the new infrastructure elements or the existing infrastructure that is important in allowing an active travel route to be used. I need to be clear about that. We are not fixing street lights and saying that that is active travel; we are doing that on specific active travel routes to ensure that we capture the facts and what is required.”
“<BR /> <BR />Let us not forget, however, about investment in new infrastructure for active travel. I want more people to feel comfortable and safe when walking, wheeling or cycling, and that is why I am increasing capital investment to develop our active travel networks. I want to emphasise that active travel is not as straightforward as building a new footpath or cycle lane. We have to ensure that they are safe and accessible for everyone, and that forms part of that overall spend.”
“For example, the provisional out-turn for 2024-25 shows that almost £12 million has been spent on maintaining existing assets, whether that is fixing trip hazards, cutting back vegetation or resurfacing old, uneven footways, all of which play a part in ensuring that we have accessible and usable active travel routes. <BR /> <BR />Similarly, while I recognise the role that street lighting plays in road safety for motorists, its primary purpose is as a safety amenity for pedestrians. The majority of street lights are in built-up areas, and they clearly play a significant role in making people feel more comfortable and secure if they are walking or cycling at night. That being the case, we have attributed 50% of the overall cost of street lighting towards our calculation of active travel spend.”
“My Department has not changed what it considers to be active travel, which is travelling by physically active means, such as walking, wheeling or cycling. What has changed is that, for the first time, there is a need to capture and report the overall spend on active travel funded from overall transport budgets across my Department in line with section 22 of the Act, rather than just reporting the new active travel projects being delivered and the spend on those fantastic projects, such as the cycling proficiency scheme and the Active School Travel programme. <BR /> <BR />As, I am sure, Members will agree, active travel is not single, discrete activity in my Department. Many different sections routinely carry out work that greatly benefits pedestrians and cyclists.”
“Section 22 of the Climate Change Act 2022 states that my Department:”
“I recognise the importance of that, and I know that it is a huge issue for the area. I was pleased to be able to say that that project will be taken forward. As I said to my colleague in my previous answer, we are going through the design stage at this point, so, when that concludes, we will have a better sense of a time frame for its implementation.”