Andrew McMurray
South Down · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“Minister, various greenway projects are mentioned in your statement. Those projects are to be welcomed. Recently, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council announced a feasibility study, part-funded by DFI, for a greenway between Warrenpoint, Kilkeel and Newcastle.”
“<BR /> <BR />I hope that the Minister can respond to some of those concerns directly. As I said, Alliance supports the reclassification of trust ports in principle, and we understand that that requires a limiting of the Department's powers. However, I am convinced that we need to have stronger safeguards.”
“Reclassification requires limiting some of the Department's powers, particularly the power to issue directions to trust ports. Several of my constituents have raised that with me as a major concern, and Ms Ennis also referred to it.”
“I will speak first in my role as the Alliance Party's infrastructure spokesperson and then as MLA for South Down. I echo what the Committee Chairperson said about the approach to the Bill. From the outset, it should be said that we support the ports.”
“Kilkeel and Ardglass ports have great potential for ancillary industries, such as the maintenance and security of offshore energy production. I am on the record as repeatedly calling for more investment in those areas and championing the great benefits that the blue-green economy can bring to the fishing ports in my constituency.”
“That will drive the Northern Ireland economy, and it has the potential to aid and drive the economy in South Down. Belfast Harbour would, through its master plan, like to make large-scale investments in renewable energy infrastructure but is currently severely hampered in that regard.”
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“Indeed, since taking up office in Downpatrick, I have stood on Market Street, where, in times past, many shops were open for trade and were busy, and yet now, many shops are still closed for business. It will take more than a one-year programme for the centre of Downpatrick to recover from the economic shock that was visited upon it in the shape of those floods. <BR /> <BR />While the traders in Downpatrick deservedly received a lot of attention, the residents of Newcastle must not be forgotten. Last October marked the second time in three years that residents' homes were flooded. That left residents, quite understandably, in fear every time that there is an adverse weather forecast. Residential homes need more support after such incidents.”
“I rise to acknowledge the upcoming one-year anniversary of the flood events that affected the south-east. Portadown and Newry were particularly badly affected, but I want to acknowledge the devastating effects of the flooding that are still visible in Newcastle and Downpatrick in my South Down constituency. Standing in Downpatrick under blue skies while watching the flood waters come in like a rising tide was an awful sight; in fact, the atmosphere was akin to that at a wake. <BR /> <BR />While moneys were made available to the businesses affected, the process was, at times, clunky, with many business owners struggling to quickly access the funds required to get their business back up and running.”
“Thank you to the Minister. He is right to pay tribute to the local flood resilience groups, but how will that communication be made to said groups and how will they be enabled to build on their capacity?”
“As it can be and with the necessary funding in place. <BR /> <BR />Sorry about that noise, Mr Deputy Speaker.”
“<BR /> <BR />As a member of the Infrastructure Committee, I am also aware of the crucial role that the Department for Infrastructure and NI Water must play. The Infrastructure Minister must work to ensure that NI Water is fully funded to address the historical underspend in our waste water infrastructure. We must also urgently find a long-term sustainable funding solution for NI Water. <BR /> <BR />The debate shows that tackling the quality of our water bodies is hugely complex and challenging, and partnership working will be essential to make positive change. We need to ensure that we set ourselves up for success with the river basin management plan”
“Minister Muir has accepted all the recommendations of the Office for Environmental Protection's report, and they will inform the river basin management plan. The findings in the Northern Ireland Audit Office's report will also be considered. It would be wrong to rush ahead and publish the river basin management plan without taking the time to properly consider and integrate the important learnings that those reports have to offer. <BR /> <BR />DAERA also has an important role to incentivise and regulate the agriculture sector. As with anything, change can come about only when we can bring the sector with us. The Minister will need financial support to incentivise change and best practice in the sector and to facilitate effective regulation, testing and reporting.”
“The reports contain valid and constructive criticisms: for example, the Office for Environmental Protection expressed concern that the draft river basin management plan does not set out specific:”
“<BR /> <BR />The plan should have been in place a long time ago. It is due to our failure to reform the institutions that we are now several years behind. The issue is another example of how poor governance has consequences and how stop-start government impacts on us all. It is the politics of dysfunction. <BR /> <BR />Since taking up office at the beginning of this year, Minister Muir has made water quality one of his top priorities. He has worked at pace to publish the Lough Neagh action plan, and, given its importance, it is right that that work was expedited. <BR /> <BR />Since the Assembly returned, the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) and the Office for Environmental Protection have published independent reports on water quality and on the draft river basin management plan respectively.”
“As an outdoor instructor, I always take that to heart. <BR /> <BR />The quality of the rivers and lakes is a serious issue. The most recent DAERA statistics show that less than one third of our rivers achieved good or high ecological status, and none achieved good chemical status. In fact, improvement in the ecological and chemical status of our rivers has largely stalled since 2015. The dismal state of our water bodies is a result of years of disregard for the environment, and, while action is needed, it will take time to turn the situation around. A river basin management plan will be an important step on the way to tackling poor water quality. It is a vital road map for the protection, improvement and sustainable use of the water environment. It is important that the plan is effective and of high quality.”
“I referred in my maiden speech to Ratty saying to Mole:”
“His classmates, fellow pupils and teachers are all very proud of him. Leon has now stated that his sights are on Everest, and I would not dissuade him of that, although he had best negotiate that with his mother first of all. Much credit must also be given to Leon's father, Andrew, who accompanied him. As any parent will know, the ability to keep children's motivation levels high is no small skill, but giving Leon such an experience — indeed, any parent who gives their child an outdoor adventure time — is something to be encouraged, given the benefits that it entails. <BR /> <BR />I have offered Leon either a trip to Stormont or a session with a map and compass. I think that he is going to go with the map and compass, so he is a wise man. For climbing the highest peaks: maith thú,”
“I rise to acknowledge the achievement of young Leon Toase, who has become the youngest person to summit the highest peaks in Ireland's 32 counties. At seven years of age, Leon hails from Mayobridge in South Down. It is one thing to go to the honeypots that are the highest peaks in the provinces: Slieve Donard, Lugnaquilla, Mweelrea and Carrauntoohil, but to go to the lesser-known county highest points is quite the achievement. Indeed, I cannot tell you what province Mullaghmeen, Slieve na Calliagh or Carn Clonhugh are in, never mind what county. It is really impressive. <BR /> <BR />Undertaken as a challenge, Leon's hiking soon gathered momentum, and donations for charity began to come in, and commendation must also be given for that. <BR /> <BR />Leon is a pupil of St Colman's in Saval.”
“Does the Minister have any indication as to how long the contract with the Department for Work and Pensions will last for those jobs?”
“<BR /> <BR />The issue is of such wide-ranging consequence that we need the whole Executive to be committed to tackling it, including through having clear, measurable and time-bound targets for water and waste water infrastructure in the Programme for Government. That would send a strong signal that the issue is understood and that the Executive Office is committed to tackling it.”
“The Communities Department's development bans in parts of Northern Ireland mean that we cannot build the homes that we so urgently need. Those bans will only spread if waste water capacity is not tackled. Building bans are affecting the delivery of the Department's housing supply strategy, which promises the development of 100,000 new homes. In Economy and Finance, economic growth will be reduced and fewer jobs will be created. Representatives of the Construction Employers Federation told me that jobs in the construction sector are in peril, as investors are building new factories elsewhere. Skilled labour in the sector is leaving the country as work is drying up. Education, Health and Justice will also eventually feel the impact when they face barriers to building new facilities.”
“<BR /> <BR />We also need ambitious, measurable and time-bound targets to tackle huge challenges in our water and waste water infrastructure. It is becoming increasingly clear that our failing waste water system is grinding Northern Ireland to a halt. The impact on DAERA and the Department for Infrastructure is obvious to see. DAERA will not be able to tackle the water quality environmental crisis in Lough Neagh without significant improvements to waste water infrastructure. The Department for Infrastructure's budget faces an ever-growing burden with every single day that NI Water remains paralysed by a lack of funding. <BR /> <BR />This is, however, no longer just about DAERA and DFI. The inadequate water infrastructure now threatens to constrain every activity in every single Department.”
“<BR /> <BR />Outside of South Down, it is of particular note that a pair of white-tailed eagles in Fermanagh has become the first to breed in NI for more than 150 years. I am sure that former South Down MLA Mr Jim Wells was glad of that news. <BR /> <BR />I was pleased to see the environmental improvement plan for Northern Ireland published last week. The plan contains several measurable time-bound targets that will help us reverse this biodiversity loss. Many of those targets extend well beyond 2027. That is a good thing. We need ambitious long-term targets, but it is equally important to have clear interim targets to ensure that we stay on track and make steady progress. I want to see interim targets for biodiversity included in the Programme for Government.”
“Encouraging work is going on in my constituency, which shows that, if scaled up and implemented at pace, the right solutions can put nature on a path to recovery. In South Down, there are schemes that have proved that our biodiversity can be protected and be successful and thrive. The Mourne Heritage Trust has piloted healthy heathlands in which natural materials have been used to re-profile peat hags in order to retain water and sediment and prevent them from washing out. There is also the National Trust's DAERA-funded wildlife recovery projects and path building on the side of Slieve Donard, and landowners in South Down have seen the benefit of tree planting on small parcels of land and hillsides, all of which increase the biodiversity of an area.”
“The 'State of Nature Report 2023' provided some shocking statistics for Northern Ireland and showed that Northern Ireland is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. For example, an estimated one in nine Northern Irish species is threatened with extinction; the numbers of farmland birds and wintering waterbirds have decreased substantially over the past two decades; and many species of flowering plants are in decline. <BR /> <BR />Unsurprisingly, the main reason for that biodiversity loss is the result of how we interact with our environment, be that our marine, lowlands or uplands environment. However, it is possible to halt and reverse that decline if you put in the effort.”
“I welcome the publication of the draft Programme for Government. I was pleased to see many important areas covered in it. However, an effective Programme for Government must be supported by clear, measurable and time-bound targets. Without those, it is impossible to measure and scrutinise success. Targets are currently missing from the draft programme. I will comment on two areas that are referenced in the motion, where clear targets are urgently needed. The first area is biodiversity, and the second is water and waste water infrastructure. <BR /> <BR />Biodiversity loss is a global problem and one of the most pressing challenges of our time. The global erosion of biodiversity is threatening the ecosystems on which all life depends.”
“Thank you, Minister; I look forward to that. The action plan will need to address the lack of support staff in the sector to help actively address youth homelessness.”
“Thank you, Minister. What contingency plans do the Minister and his Department have in place should any legal challenge arise?”
“I know that the Minister is acting within the means that he has to address the matter. <BR /> <BR />On the bigger picture of waste management in Northern Ireland, the Alliance Party is focused on waste prevention, reducing plastic use and carbon emissions and improving recycling rates. Those are essential for protecting our environment. That is where we should be focusing our efforts in the interests of society, climate and the environment.”
“All agencies, including the NIEA, the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority, Re-Gen and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council must work together to ensure that all licences and regulations are adhered to and that industrial operations are not causing a nuisance to the wider community. <BR /> <BR />Regardless of the terms of licence, the operating procedures have caused issues. That is undeniable. The issues have clearly had a detrimental effect on relations between the residents and industry of Warrenpoint. Previous efforts have not been enough to fully eliminate the problem in the town and address residents' concerns. However, we have seen some improvements over recent months. Those efforts must be continued. Unfortunately, relationships have broken down to the point where there will probably not be an outcome to which all groups are amenable.”
“<BR /> <BR />From the outset, Alliance has worked on advocating on behalf of local residents who have raised the issues with us. Alliance representatives have also sought to engage with Re-Gen and the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority on the issue. In the summer, other elected representatives and I met the Minister and officials from DAERA and the NIEA to discuss concerns around the odour, flies and chemicals, and to explore solutions. At that meeting, I raised concerns about pollution from the use of insecticides and anti-odour sprays. As a result, it was agreed that the NIEA would conduct water sampling in the area to assess any leachate generation or contamination. The multi-agency review, led by the NIEA, is about to conclude, and I look forward to hearing its findings at a future meeting.”
“I want to take this opportunity to echo my constituents' concerns. The issues around the facility and its operating practices preceded this summer. Clearly, they have had a detrimental effect on those living and working nearby. They have also been a wider economic issue for the hospitality sector and traders in the town. Business development opportunities were missed or passed by because of not only the environmental impact but the media impact that the story has had. Indeed, the businesses and residents of Warrenpoint and the wider area want us to be discussing the potential economic driver that the Narrow Water bridge will be in attracting tourists, rather than having to deal with the subject of this evening's Adjournment debate.”
“That shows that the issues have been building up for quite a while.”
“There are worries that the chemicals might leach into Carlingford Lough and cause environmental damage, and residents have also voiced health and safety concerns about that. Residents have asked why planning permission was granted to build the facilities so close to residential properties in the first place. I cannot speak to the reason for the decisions that were taken in 2013 by the Department of the Environment. Since then, obviously, responsibility for planning has been devolved to councils. <BR /> <BR />Similar questions have been raised in relation to the waste management licence, which, again, was first granted by the Department of the Environment in 2013 and was renewed twice, in 2018 and 2023, in both instances with no Minister in place.”
“I thank the Member who secured the Adjournment debate for raising this vexing issue in the Assembly. I am well aware of the ongoing problems that are affecting residents in Warrenpoint. Indeed, they have been raised with me and Alliance representatives before me. Like other Members, I thank the people who have contacted me. <BR /> <BR />Residents in Warrenpoint are tired of the foul odour and flies in the area. The impact on residents' quality of life has regularly been relayed to me. People are unable to enjoy their gardens or open their windows due to the smell and the flies. Some have been embarrassed to have visitors because of the situation. <BR /> <BR />I have also heard concerns about the chemical sprays that are used to control the odour and flies.”
“Will the evidence from the task force give significant insight, or are we are merely kicking the can down the road? <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party has long asked for fundamental reform to create a sustainable and functional planning system. Pre-application discussions and checklists for major applications will help to reduce waiting times, as will statutory time frames for determining applications and a sustainable funding model for the planning system.”
“The Alliance Party has always supported evidence-based policy, but the failures of our planning system are extremely well researched. I spoke in the Chamber only last week about some issues in relation to renewable energy infrastructure. The barriers are the lack of progress on local development plans; capacity and skills shortages in planning departments in statutory consultees; the financial sustainability of the planning system; a lack of cooperation between organisations; and poor-quality planning applications. Wind turbines and 5G masts have a lot in common, and I expect that the planning system fails them in similar ways and that many of the problems that our planning system faces have nothing to do with the type of structure in question.”
“<BR /> <BR />In 2022, the previous Minister for the Economy established a barrier busting task force to identify and address the barriers preventing the fast and efficient deployment of mobile connectivity in Northern Ireland. It includes a planning subgroup that looks at barriers related to the planning system. The Minister for Infrastructure said in July that the group had met twice since 2022 and is at an early stage in its deliberations. It has been nearly two years since that group was established, and we would be interested to know when we can expect deliberations to come to a more mature state. <BR /> <BR />The Minister also advised that we should wait for evidence from the task force before making policy changes.”
“<BR /> <BR />I recognise that 5G technology presents particular challenges in rural areas. Environmental and aesthetic considerations are also important in rural areas and need to be given due weight. I do not want to see 5G masts installed in any place at any cost, but we still need to ensure that we remove any unnecessary barriers to the technology where possible. Telecommunications are a reserved power, but the delivery of mobile infrastructure projects often overlaps with our devolved planning powers. Updating communications infrastructure often involves building new masts or making existing masts bigger, which requires planning permission. That is typically dealt with at council level.”
“<BR /> <BR />Depending on how it is measured, the extent of 4G coverage by at least one network is, in percentage terms, in the mid to high 90s in rural areas here but is lower in rural areas of Newry and Armagh, south Down and west Tyrone. We need to make sure that areas that do not have indoor access to 4G through any networks are connected as soon as possible. For 5G coverage, the difference between rural and urban areas is much bigger. 5G coverage by at least one provider is rolled out to only about 50% of rural Northern Ireland compared with 80% of urban areas. The UK Government, who are responsible for telecommunications, have a target of delivering stand-alone 5G coverage to all populated areas in the UK by 2030. It is fair to say that our rural areas have some way to go to meet that goal.”
“I support the spirit of the motion and the amendment. <BR /> <BR />High-quality mobile coverage is important to our economy, communities and public services. Improving rural connectivity is particularly important. Some rural areas in Northern Ireland are still held back by poor connectivity. That affects business, investment and access to distance education and remote jobs and services. High-speed networks can provide access to important public services like remote GP consultations. New technologies such as agri-tech and virtual reality rely on 5G. Those technologies are particularly relevant for the agriculture and tourism sectors, but 5G is still not widely available in rural areas of Northern Ireland. It is important that our rural economies benefit from those innovative technologies as much as possible.”
“The group was grateful for a visit from Minister O'Dowd over the summer. If any action or correspondence can be made on the matter, they would be most grateful. <BR /> <BR />I want to finish with some positives. The members of the group have been so uplifted by the community response since the actions became public. Messages of support and donations have been incoming constantly. Only last week, the group celebrated the 20th anniversary of the line being open between Downpatrick and Inch Abbey. While the vandalism is difficult to get your head around, I do not doubt the motivation and dedication that the volunteers will show to repair the damage.”
“Varnishing, paintwork, metalwork, mechanic work, engineering, groundworks and gardening are some of the long jobs that go in to preparing the site, but they were undone in a matter of mindless minutes. A carriage from 1955 that had only recently been restored came in for particular attention from the vandals. <BR /> <BR />The quick response from the PSNI in dealing with the matter was also mentioned to me, and I pass on my thanks to local officers for dealing with the incident. However, it appears that there needs to be some clarification of the trespass laws in relation to railways in order to ensure that the PSNI can be more confident in acting on them.”
“I rise to speak about the vandalism that was visited on the carriages and property of the Downpatrick and County Down Railway museum. On Friday afternoon, a group of individuals broke into the grounds and began vandalising a number of carriages. That is particularly galling to me, as I park in the shadow of those carriages at the museum when I am in the town, and I missed those individuals by a matter of moments. <BR /> <BR />It is also an unbelievably depressing setback for the museum, which is run by a group of volunteers that is just getting on top of things after the floods last year, which also caused significant damage. When you read about and hear and see the dedication that the volunteers put in to restore the carriages to allow them to take to the tracks, it makes the vandalism all the more difficult to fathom.”
“It has also been good to see the Minister accept the findings of the recent report by the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) and his willingness to tackle the issues raised in it. The Executive will need to support the Minister in his important work. That support must include adequate funding to enable DAERA to incentivise changes in the agriculture sector and to facilitate effective regulation, testing and reporting. <BR /> <BR />The issue is not solely down to one polluter, one agency, one Department or, indeed, one quick action to sort out. It has developed over time from different sources and will require time to recover. Achieving that will require Departments to work together for the benefit of Lough Erne and other waterbodies across Northern Ireland.”
“Simply put, too many nutrients are being washed into our waterbodies, creating prime conditions for algae to thrive. That looming crisis has been known about for decades if not centuries. Algal blooms were recorded in Lough Neagh as far back as 1910. Blue-green algae became a significant problem there and in other Northern Irish lakes in the 1960s. The Government of the time funded investigations of the causes and possible solutions, yet here we are again. <BR /> <BR />I welcome DAERA's recent change of direction towards sustainable farming. I know that water pollution is a priority for the Minister. I welcome his ambition to tackle the problem. It was good to see an ambitious programme of actions laid out in the Lough Neagh action plan earlier this year. Many of those actions will benefit waterbodies across Northern Ireland.”
“Recently, we learned that, in 2023, Northern Ireland Water monitored 80 pipes that, taken together, discharged into coastal bathing waters for more hours than there are in a year. There are over 2,400 storm overflows across Northern Ireland, most of them unmonitored. The situation is therefore likely worse. I think that Mrs Erskine and I were comparing notes. Sewage discharge is also a major cause of the pollution that we now see in Lough Erne. Indeed, I heard reports of 250,000 tons of raw sewage being discharged into the lough. It is clear that our infrastructure cannot cope with the demands placed on it. We urgently need a long-term funding model for Northern Ireland Water. <BR /> <BR />Industry also has a big role to play.”
“The same week, part of the Mourne Sprint Triathlon had to be cancelled after blue-green algae were found in Castlewellan lake. It is a serious issue that is affecting our environment, our economy and the everyday lives of all of us who live in Northern Ireland. We cannot be complacent. We need to do everything in our power to turn the situation around. <BR /> <BR />Large bodies of water such as Lough Erne do not exist in isolation. They are fed by a network of streams and rivers. While algal blooms, on occasion, will happen in natural circumstances, their increasing frequency and intensity and the length of the blooms can be linked to our influence on the streams and rivers. It is, in part, about our creaking waste water system, which cannot cope with demand and ends up spurting untreated sewage into our waterbodies.”
“I wish to speak on behalf of that community. While the local outdoor community is well aware of the issues, it wants to work with agencies to monitor and remedy the situation. I know the amount of recreational and commercial reliance that there is on Lough Erne. It is a most beautiful and scenic part of the world. We must ensure that its ecological and environmental needs are maintained to the utmost standards, not just for our gratification but for the wildlife whose habitat is Lough Erne. <BR /> <BR />The issue of water quality affects many areas across Northern Ireland. I hear about it in my constituency work in South Down. Recently, we heard about the water pollution that is affecting bathing waters in Newcastle and other parts of Northern Ireland.”
“I thank Mrs Erskine for securing the Adjournment debate. It is an important issue, which is affecting Lough Erne and many other waterbodies around Northern Ireland. I welcome the debate and associate myself with some of the comments made by Members about the seriousness of the pollution affecting our freshwater bodies and marine waters. As an outdoor instructor in a previous life, I carried the issue of water quality close to my heart. I have spent many a happy hour enjoying myself on our beautiful rivers and lakes and along our coastline, but, sadly, those places are now becoming increasingly off limits to the public on account of public health concerns. <BR /> <BR />In preparation for my speech in the Adjournment debate, I consulted individuals involved in outdoor recreation in the Lough Erne area.”
“Reaching that target will be key to our goal of achieving a thriving green economy. We need a green new deal and fundamental reform in order to create a planning system that delivers on all three pillars of sustainable development: the environment, society and the economy. There are a few more asks: pre-application discussions and checklists for all major applications will help with waiting times, and those are already under way. Introducing statutory time frames for determining renewable energy applications will be another avenue to explore. Finally, the process for developing local development plans needs to be streamlined to ensure that there is a functional planning system.”
“Since planning was devolved to councils, 100% of major planning applications for renewable energy infrastructure have gone to the Planning Appeals Commission. By the time that the appeal is decided, the technology is often outdated. The application needs to be amended and goes back to square one and further consultation. It is not surprising that such delays are putting developers off. Renewables NI found that 82% of renewable energy developers now think that Northern Ireland is not an attractive place in which to invest. We need to take note of that alarming statistic. <BR /> <BR />I want to end on a hopeful note. There are enough onshore wind proposals in the planning pipeline to meet the 80% by 2030 target, if they can be processed in time for connection by 2030.”
“Again, the lack of resources and the lack of specialist staff who can assess complex applications contribute to the problem. We also lack hard deadlines to hold statutory consultees to account. Scotland and the Republic of Ireland have clear timelines and hard deadlines, and they do not experience the same delays. <BR /> <BR />There are other statutory constraints. Planning departments cannot take the climate crisis into account when processing an application. We should consider prioritising applications that help to increase our renewable capacity: not to approve them at all costs where valid environmental concerns and reasons tell us otherwise but to give them a fair chance of making it through the system in a reasonable time frame. <BR /> <BR />Referrals to the Planning Appeals Commission can lead to further delays.”
“That affects the grid infrastructure too: my constituency of South Down does not currently have the grid infrastructure needed to take on renewable energy sources or to start operating existing ones. As one engineer put it to me, it could take four to five years to sort that out. That needs to be addressed in any forthcoming strategy. <BR /> <BR />Why are those planning applications taking so long? Staffing in planning departments is an issue. I hope that the Department will look at how existing planning officers can be trained and upskilled. Another reason is that some statutory consultees take a very long time to respond. Technically, they have a target of three weeks, but they often take over a year to respond, and all struggle to provide responses within 21 days.”
“We made good, strong progress between 2005 and 2016, which helped us to exceed the target of 40% by 2020, but, since then, we have really slowed down. In fact, in the eight years since 2016, we have added only 5%. We now have only six years left to make up the remaining 35% that we will need in order to meet our target, which is concerning. <BR /> <BR />Recently, back in June, the Infrastructure Committee heard eye-opening evidence from Renewables NI and two renewable energy companies. There are a number of key barriers, one of which is the sheer amount of time that it takes to get renewables applications over the line. Furthermore, major planning applications have a 30-week target, but applications for wind farms take, on average, three years to be processed, and waiting times are increasing.”
“I support the motion. Green growth must be a priority for Northern Ireland, and I was glad to see that recognised in the draft Programme for Government. An economy that is based on green growth will be good for Northern Ireland and for the planet. It will benefit us all in many ways: it will help the economy, our environment, our health and our climate. I look forward to the green growth strategy, which will be an important step on the way to achieving that goal. <BR /> <BR />There are many challenges to overcome, one of which is our planning system and the barriers that it presents to developing the renewable energy infrastructure that we urgently need. We currently get about 45% of our electricity consumption from renewable sources and have a statutory target of achieving 80% by 2030.”