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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“We are exploring the most effective ways to engage with schools and the broader community, whether through targeted campaigns, educational materials or pilot programmes. The bus-rear and on-street school bus safety advertising is currently running: it was reinstated at the start of September in order to align with the start of the school term. Additionally, the road safety teaching-aid calendars have been electronically issued to over 760 primary schools for the new school year.”
“As Members may be aware, I recently announced an extensive package of road safety measures aimed at safeguarding schoolchildren, particularly when they travel to and from school, including on overtaking school buses. Officials have provided advice on that, and I am considering the best options to take forward. <BR /> <BR />Recently, I met the Education Minister, and we agreed to collaborate on an initiative aimed at increasing awareness of school bus safety. I look forward to seeing how that will progress. Again, it goes back to education and awareness and thinking about all those factors. Whilst we are still in the early stages, our shared goal is that we work directly with schools to ensure that pupils, staff and parents are better informed about the risks and responsibilities associated with school transport.”
“I thank the Member for raising that, and I pay tribute to Stella for her efforts after what can only be described as an absolutely horrendous incident with the loss of her beautiful young daughter. She has used that to focus on how she can protect other children getting to and from school in particular. I have met Stella twice now, and I have so much respect and admiration for her and what she is trying to do. <BR /> <BR />As the Member and the Assembly will know, road safety is a high priority for my Department, and I am committed to working proactively to make our roads safer for everyone. I am acutely aware that children and young people are among the most vulnerable groups using our roads.”
“Whilst we all think that we are great drivers, to somebody else, you could be the reason why there is a collision. <BR /> <BR />I will take that on board. It is probably more of a policing issue, because it is about enforcement, but I can ask officials to see whether there is anything that we can do. <BR /> <BR />When I was on the road this morning, given the conditions that we were driving in, some of the driver behaviour that I witnessed as I was coming to Stormont was absolutely horrendous. There is something in that for us all to take away as we try to make a difference.”
“I thank the Member for pointing that out. It chimes well with what the Department has been saying about the onus being on all of us to tackle driver behaviour. That is the main cause of all collisions, regardless of whether they result in a fatality. We constantly look at what we can do to improve road safety. I attended the road safety roadshow hosted by Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade just over a week ago. Most important in all such cases is that the onus is on each one of us. We are all road users, be that as a driver, pedestrian, cyclist or whatever we may be, and we have our part to play. It is about doing anything that we can to increase awareness and help people to think differently and be safer on our roads. That protects everyone. To quote one of our campaigns:”
“Absolutely. When any tragic incident such as that occurs, we have to take a step back and look at it to understand how and why it happened and at what we can do collectively to ensure that no other family goes through that. I have met lots of families who have been through similar incidents, so I would welcome that opportunity. I have spoken to a DUP Member about a potential meeting with the family. I am keen to have that meeting, and I am willing to hear from everyone.”
“As I have said, although there have been a number of injury collisions along the route, the majority were at the signal-controlled junctions, and no common causation factor has yet been identified that could be improved by additional safety measures. However, officials routinely review injury collision cluster sites from the data provided by the PSNI, and, if appropriate, an assessment is undertaken. What comes out of the investigation will be critical in informing our approach and next steps.”
“First, I extend my sympathies to the family of the young girl, Jaidyn Rice, who tragically lost her life at the junction of West Circular Road and Clandeboye Road on 8 July. My thoughts are with her family. What they have been going through in the aftermath is unimaginable. <BR /> <BR />I understand that the PSNI is leading an investigation of the collision. On completion of that investigation, my officials will liaise with the police to obtain further information relating to that collision and others in which injuries were sustained. At that point, officials will consider any emerging road safety factors that are relevant to my Department.”
“As the Member will be aware, I recently met her and some of her council colleagues. I can advise that my officials continue to progress the development of the Knockbreda Road crossing following receipt of representations from a further consultation carried out by Belfast City Council. Work on the design of the scheme remains ongoing.”
“I will take on board what the Member has said. Generally, officials revisit a location like that one only if there has been a major infrastructure development in the area or if considerable time has passed since the initial survey. There are no current plans to carry out a review. I will, however, go back to officials and discuss with them whether there is any potential for a review, given some of the enhancements to the area that the Member has mentioned.”
“The prioritised lists for pedestrian schemes are live lists and are kept under review.”
“I can advise that the most recent assessment for a pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of Cambrai Street and Flax Street was carried out on 11 October 2022. The assessment placed that location sixteenth on eastern division's prioritised list of potential sites that have been surveyed and assessed for a controlled crossing. One of my party colleagues, namely Gerry Kelly, has also raised the issue. As the Member will be aware, the Department has been operating in a difficult financial environment for many years. While there are many locations across the North that would benefit from investment in enhanced pedestrian measures, such as controlled crossings, owing to the limited budget, schemes are taken forward through the prioritisation of those deemed most in need of intervention.”
“As I said in response to another Member, there are a number of layers of governance that have to be gone through. I assume that those details will be available when they are ready. There is nothing to suggest that they will not be available as soon as they are ready.”
“Not to date. However, I take the Member's point that that is an important issue, and Fáilte Ireland plays an important role in that, so I am happy to look at that with the Minister and, where relevant, see what we can do to support that.”
“Not specific to that issue. There is no statutory navigation authority for Lough Neagh, although councils enforce the rules and regulations in the vicinity of their marinas and facilities. I am happy to take further detailed questions on that issue, if the Member wishes, and maybe we can get responses from those who do have responsibility for that.”
“Both properties approved for disposal are in the South of Ireland. They are a way leave in Ballyconnell, County Cavan, and a way leave at Foigha, County Longford.”
“It has an independent chair and two external members on its audit committee to ensure that it is also properly audited. <BR /> <BR />On its current accounting position, Waterways Ireland has submitted its annual accounts for 2024 to the Comptroller and Auditor General in both jurisdictions for audit. When those accounts are signed off by the Comptrollers and Auditors General, they will be laid before the Assembly and both Houses of the Oireachtas and then published on the Waterways Ireland website. That demonstrates the layers of governance that are required for its accounts and the processes that have to be gone through to ensure that sign-off.”
“Just to outline the arrangements for the governance of the body, Waterways Ireland is accountable to my Department as well as to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the North/South Ministerial Council. Ministers discharge their oversight responsibilities for Waterways Ireland through their respective Departments and the NSMC, and that includes consideration of and agreement on its budget and corporate and business plans in progress to its agreed targets and project milestones. Quarterly monitoring meetings are held, chaired by senior officials from the relevant Departments. The chief executive and appropriate directors from Waterways Ireland attend to account for business performance and corporate governance.”
“Officials continue to be engaged with the Irish Government and Louth County Council during the construction phase and are also involved in the project oversight group to assist in the successful delivery of the project in connection with the roads network in the North. <BR /> <BR />It is an exciting scheme, and, for those who live close to the area, as the Member will know, it is fantastic to see the construction progressing at such great pace. The bridge presents a real opportunity for us all.”
“The bridge is a major investment in landmark cross-border infrastructure and will provide for car, cycling and pedestrian traffic that connects the north and south of the island. Construction started in May 2024, and the planned completion date is October 2027. It is a 195-metre long cable-stayed structure that will link Omeath on the southern side with Warrenpoint on the northern side. It will help not just economically but from a tourism perspective. The bridge will be maintained by Louth County Council, which will be responsible for the maintenance and operation of the lifting aspect of it.”
“Again, as it is closely linked to my constituency, I know how important that scheme is. As the Member will know, the Irish Government approved Shared Island funding for the total cost of the project, based on the successful tender, which is €102 million plus VAT. It is being led by the Irish Government and managed by Louth County Council with support from my Department for the connection to the parts of the North that it is relevant to. We had a very comprehensive and detailed presentation from officials from Louth County Council to show the progress to date and where they have got to with it.”
“An emergency response concerns the assets that are within the remit of Waterways Ireland and how we can address those as issues arise. We can probably provide more detailed information on that. It was alluded to in the meeting, but I can come back to the Member with more specifics about it, because I think that what it will look like in reality probably is quite technical. I recognise the Member's interest in that service, particularly for our waterways and what it means right across the North.”
“Quite a significant amount of work has been done with Waterways Ireland. We can talk about the different phases of the plan for the Ulster canal. We have also looked at Waterways Ireland's responsibilities and at what else it does to see whether there is anything that it can do around Lough Neagh. Unfortunately, it does not have responsibility for that at present. We are keen to see what else it can do and what we can keep within its remit, and that is what some of the discussions that we have been having with officials are about. The main focus in the North is on the Ulster canal restoration.”
“That was not discussed at the meeting per se. We recently launched a transport strategy, and that feeds into that broader piece on what we are looking at with our transport right across the North. It also looks at how we are linked to the rest of the island. That is an important point, and we can look at it in greater detail as we are going through that work. I encourage the Member to feed into the consultation, and that is something that we could point to in the feedback from that.”
“All funding for the project to date has been provided by the Irish Government, including through the Shared Island Fund, with further commitments in place.”
“The Ulster canal project is being progressed in three phases, as the Member may be aware. Phase 1, which is the channel from Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson, and phase 2, which goes from Clones to Clonfad, are both now complete and open for navigation. Work on the third and final phase of the Castle Saunderson to Clonfad connection is in progress. Feasibility and pre-construction work, including vesting of lands and renewing planning permission, is under way. Phase 3 is subdivided into four sub-phases, and the current estimated completion date for all sub-phases is 2028-29. I am fully committed to supporting the completion of that very ambitious project, which is transformational to communities and businesses in the region.”
“Officials from Louth County Council presented to us on the progress that has been achieved on the construction of the Narrow Water bridge, which is located between Cornamucklagh, County Louth, and Warrenpoint, County Down. <BR /> <BR />The Council agreed to hold its next inland waterways meeting in late 2025.”
“We noted that the Waterways Ireland's annual reports and accounts for 2023 have been laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly and both Houses of the Oireachtas and that the annual report and accounts for 2024 have been submitted to the Comptrollers and Auditors General in both jurisdictions. <BR /> <BR />We consented to a number of property disposals. We welcomed a presentation from Waterways Ireland that outlined the current position with the Ulster canal restoration project; the completion of the repairs to Carnroe weir; its plans for its current premises in Tullamore; the planned relocation to a purpose-built depot; and its plans for the Grand canal dock and the canals and docklands area of Dublin. We also approved the reappointment of Mr John McDonagh as CEO of Waterways Ireland.”
“We also recognised the achievements of Waterways Ireland, which included finishing as a finalist in the category of green public-sector organisation of the year at the Green Awards 2025; being shortlisted at the Public Sector Digital Transformation Awards; winning the large website and overall website categories at the National Digital Awards; and being selected as a United Nations sustainable development goals champion for 2024-25. <BR /> <BR />We welcomed Waterways Ireland's response to climate change, biodiversity and sustainability issues and noted the themes in its 'Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2030'. We also noted the update from Waterways Ireland on embedding sustainability in the organisation. We approved Waterways Ireland's business plan, recommended budgets and grants for 2025.”
“We welcomed the significant developments on the Royal canal greenway and the Grand canal greenway; the completion of an initial public consultation on route options for the Limerick to Scarriff greenway; the roll-out across the organisation of an emergency response service; and the achievement of accreditation to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) health and safety standard by Waterways Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />We welcomed the achievements of Waterways Ireland since the previous meeting and the valuable contribution that it continues to make through its various activities, including the developments that it has made in four strategic projects — the Ulster canal, Carnroe weir, the Tullamore centre of excellence master plan and the Dublin port master plan — and in its major projects, such as Camden lough, Barrow navigation and Connaght harbour.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, in compliance with section 52 of the NI Act 1998, I will make a statement on the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) inland waterways meeting, which was held at the North/South Ministerial Council joint secretariat headquarters in Armagh on 12 May 2025. The Executive were represented by me, as Minister for Infrastructure, and junior Minister Pam Cameron from the Executive Office. The Irish Government were represented by James Browne, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The statement has been agreed with junior Minister Cameron, and I am making it on behalf of both of us. Minister Browne chaired the meeting, and the following is a note of what was discussed.”
“As your colleague asked a number of questions, I answered what I could. As I said in answer to her, the lands that were vested were owned by the Department, so we were entitled and within the law to do the preparatory works in advance so that we could get on-site as soon as the judgement was made.”
“I thank the Member for his suggestion. As with any existing road, it is important that we continue to look at all road safety measures, so they are continually being monitored. On the A5 specifically, it is clear that the only option is to build the new road. That is the only way that we will tackle the key issues that have seen so many lives lost.”
“As I said earlier, I have already met officials and asked them to provide a report on the outcome of the judgement and, in conjunction with the legal team, an analysis of what it means. Once I have considered that, we will look at the next steps, but, for now, my focus is on getting this done.”
“Absolutely. Once we get a handle on what the judgement means, we will have to look at the learning and how that will impact on other projects. It is unfortunate that Members are quick to write off infrastructure projects. From what I have seen, I do not think that the problem it is insurmountable; we can remedy this. The judge said that he feels that it can be remedied, and that is what my focus will be on.”
“Absolutely. I am happy to come to the House before then, if required, but, as I said, I want to ensure that we consider the analysis thoroughly. It is important that we get absolute clarity on what is required, what the options are and how we can move forward at the quickest pace possible. It is also important that we achieve the successful outcome that is required. If that point comes sooner than September, I am happy to come back to the House, if necessary.”
“There is a complete absence of memory. I will not, however, get caught up in point-scoring on something as critical as the A5 scheme. The behaviour of some Members is disgraceful. Everyone in the Chamber agreed that the road had to be built and committed to it, so we will continue with it. I have no doubt that it will be Sinn Féin that delivers it.”
“One could be forgiven for forgetting that the SDLP held the post of Minister for Infrastructure in the previous mandate.”
“As I said, it is too early to say what the outcome of the judgement is. It is important that we get the analysis and then make a call on what has to happen next. It is very clear that the DUP and others are trying to suggest that we cannot have both the A5 and the Climate Change Act. We absolutely can.”
“As I said, we are looking at what the judgement means, what the analysis will be, how we will resolve the issues and the options for doing so.”
“I am not aware of any reasons why the A1 scheme cannot go ahead. As I said, we need to get a clear understanding of what the judgement means. I will get a detailed analysis in the coming days, as I have asked officials to provide me with one. At this point, however, it is impossible to point to implications for other projects. We will be able to update the House on those issues in due course.”
“That is probably a question for TEO, not me.”
“Obviously, the Member already has the analysis of the judgement that other Members seem to have. I will carefully consider the ruling and its implications, and we can take it from there.”
“As I said, we are working through what all that will mean once the decisions and orders that I mentioned have been quashed. It is important to say that that work needed to happen at the earliest possible stage to ensure that, had the judgement been positive, the contractors were ready to go on-site, because we did not want any further delay to the scheme.”
“It is important to say that it was a flagship project, so, yes, the money was ring-fenced in the budget. What happens to that remains to be seen as we work through the follow-up to the judgement and the processes that that requires. <BR /> <BR />The Member referred to the significant rise in costs. That is a consequence of the legal challenges, objections and delays to the road that we have faced. You have outlined clearly the impact of that, which is why it is even more critical that we move at pace and deliver the A5.”
“Absolutely. On Friday, at the North/South Ministerial Council plenary meeting, I discussed the A5 with my counterpart in Dublin, Darragh O'Brien. We eagerly anticipated the judgement in the hope that it would enable us to move forward with that project, which will benefit the whole island. I am committed to continuing to work with all parties who are truly determined to see that happen.”
“As I have said, this scheme is too critical. We are still analysing the judgement. There were three or four separate questions within the Member's question, so we will work through those. <BR /> <BR />It is important to realise that the climate action plan had been delayed. We have to factor that into some of the outworkings of the judgement. Once we get a handle on exactly what the judgement means — it is very detailed, with lots of things in it, and we need to get a good understanding of the issues in relation to the three challenges that were upheld — we will be in a better position to say what we need to do and how we will move forward.”
“There was significant engagement with landowners. That is a fact. The lands were vested, so, at the time of the preparatory works, the land was owned by the Department. I want to continue with that engagement. As I said, over the coming days and weeks, we will write to all the affected landowners to agree a way forward. That process will follow.”
“In fact, the judge ruled that Tully Bog, which is a special area of conservation (SAC), would be better off with the road than without it. It is very important to outline that. As I said earlier, the judge said that a new and safer A5 should be built so that no more people have to be lost. That will be my focus. We can hark to the past all that we want, but we need to ensure that we deal with what is happening now, how to get past that and how to get the road delivered.”