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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“Will the Minister provide an update on her plans to introduce no-fault divorce in Northern Ireland?”
“Is there a specific communications plan that the Minister's Department is going to roll out with regard to the winter fuel payment?”
“I will continue to work with those who want to develop solutions to the problems, and I look forward to further correspondence with the Department on these matters.”
“It cannot borrow to invest, and it has been left with the price control for 2021-27, which is not fully funded. The impact of that on our environmental, economic, ecological and public health is intolerable. The substantial infrastructure works that are needed to address the huge problems that we see now are difficult to plan and fund in those conditions. Unfortunately, the result is not just a standstill but deterioration. <BR /> <BR />While Alliance is clear that we do not support privatisation or new water charges, NI Water's funding model is unsustainable and unfit for purpose. Alliance wants to see a plan of action from the Minister, advised by the Fiscal Council, that will deliver desperately needed investment, and one option will be to explore mutualisation so that NI Water can borrow to invest.”
“Such spills are supposed to be exceptional, but they are de facto the norm now. Those revelations came just days after the Office for Environmental Protection published its report on the unsatisfactory state of water quality in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Secondly, a few weeks ago, we learned that the development of nearly 20,000 properties has practically ground to a halt in 23 cities, towns and villages across Northern Ireland, because the waste water system is at capacity. That impacts homes, schools, medical facilities and businesses. It is terrible news for the many people who are looking for a home, for our economy and for all of us who are suffering from the squeeze on our education and health systems. <BR /> <BR />The root cause of the crisis lies in Northern Ireland Water's funding model.”
“I rise to speak about the dire state of our waste water infrastructure. Over the past few weeks, we have seen a number of reports on the devastating impact that our inadequate waste water infrastructure has on our environment, on housebuilding, on public health and on the wider economy. I will highlight two examples <BR /> <BR />Last Wednesday, we heard about the catastrophic pollution affecting bathing waters in Newcastle, along with many other areas along our coast. In 2023, the 80 monitored storm overflows were recorded to have discharged in total for more hours than there are in a year. Those are only the monitored storm overflows, of which there are 2,400, so the actual picture could be much worse. Our waste water infrastructure is not up to standard. It just cannot cope, and our rivers, lakes and sea are paying the price.”
“Thank you to the Minister. How does the report deal with NI Water and waste water infrastructure?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement, which addressed climate change, loss of biodiversity and sustainability. Will the Minister elaborate on how those issues might be tackled?”
“I thank the Minister. Is he concerned that Irish Rail has stated that an hourly service may add 20 minutes to the total journey time for early morning commuters on the Belfast to Dublin service?”
“What plans are there to consider further adaptations to Parliament Buildings to approve accessibility?”
“While it is correct that the motion should refer to tourism as an economic driver, we should be cognisant of the fact that it should not be seen as simply a numbers game in which the aim is to see exponential growth. Growth is important but so, too, are sustainability and regeneration: it is not about what the visitor can extract from the site but about ensuring that it is given back. Cognisance should also be given to the numbers that an area can comfortably support and to ensuring that locals are fully supportive of the developments that are to come through the tourism.”
“As I understand it, having an overarching theme and further localised themes within that is a technique that is fairly commonplace in the tourism industry. Those terms essentially package things in a way that is easy to understand and encourages people to visit Ireland. For too long, Northern Ireland has not utilised the potential for tourism to develop its economy. It is essentially an opportunity to promote our part of the island. Economies of scale would suggest that, by being part of the larger brand, my constituency would benefit from an extension of that brand while keeping what is unique to it. While extending is grand and important, the industry must also evolve in this matter. <BR /> <BR />I will touch on a final couple of points.”
“While the concept of Ireland's Ancient East is a great way to capture the essence of what is on offer, it perhaps does not accurately reflect the wide scope of the product that is on offer. The reason that matters is twofold: it is about getting visitors to consider the area as a destination and then presenting the range of possibilities to them. As I understand it, collaboration is going on already and many stakeholders from the North are leading on developing the evolving brand. That encapsulates the motion and elements of the DUP amendment: there is room for both. <BR /> <BR />The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East and Ireland's Hidden Heartlands have all been referenced in the debate. They allow for differentiation when people visit the North.”
“My constituency of South Down would benefit from the extension of Ireland's Ancient East into the district, given the natural physical linkages that exist.”
“However, it is not just the ancient that makes it so appealing to visitors; there is a thriving activity tourism sector and a top-class hospitality sector.”
“<BR /> <BR />South Down has a logical and cast-iron claim to be included in Ireland's Ancient East. Carlingford lough has served to connect the Cooleys and the Mournes and the people of them, and to have it finish, in tourists' eyes, somewhere around Omeath, with Kilbroney and Slieve Martin within view, seems like an unutilised opportunity. Incorporating Ireland's Ancient East into our tourism package would be most welcomed by the industry. South Down has a natural beauty — Strangford and Carlingford loughs, the Mourne Mountains and the Dromara hills — a rich ancient and built heritage, with souterrains, cashels, abbeys and castles, as well as sites from our recent industrial past, such as the County Down Railway.”
“Thank you very much. <BR /> <BR />I can understand precisely why it would be beneficial and desirable for the Wild Atlantic Way to follow the Atlantic coast all the way round to where it meets the North Channel and, in effect, becomes the Irish Sea. <BR /> <BR />There are numerous microbusinesses that have flourished not because there is anything new about the landscape, but because the package of the Wild Atlantic Way resonates with domestic and international visitors alike. A tourist making their way around the Donegal section of the Wild Atlantic Way, perhaps unaware of our constitutional nuances, will simply see that it ends somewhere around Lough Foyle, and although the golden strands of Benone, Portstewart and Portrush and the spectacular Fair Head will be waving at them, they will not progress any further.”
“In a previous life, my wife and I, before we had children, spent many's a weekend and longer exploring the coasts, crags and surf breaks of Ireland's west coast and, as a result, the Wild Atlantic Way, and I can categorically say that the beaches, cliffs and islands off our North Atlantic coast are as consistently stunning as those along any part of the Wild Atlantic Way.”
“I welcome the motion. The tourism industry is important to the Northern Ireland economy. If there are opportunities to develop and grow the economy, within reason, they should be explored. From the outset, it must be noted that there is already much all-island collaboration in the industry. While the motion is welcome, the industry is ahead of the curve when it comes to this matter, as is often the case. I want to touch on the Wild Atlantic Way, which is slightly outside my constituency — well, it is at the other end of Northern Ireland. I have spent a fair bit of time in the Atlantic off the north coast. Ever since I was a child, I knew that the north Antrim coast was the Atlantic. It is very important there.”
“I thank the Minister for his response, and I will take him up on his offer to engage further.”
“Thank you, Minister. Will the videos be used in education settings?”
“There are solutions — solar farms, wind turbines, potential for off-shore development and battery storage solutions — but all those need the grid infrastructure to support them, and, at the moment, that is lacking. <BR /> <BR />I am happy to support the motion and look forward to working to see it progressed.”
“South Down does not have the infrastructure to take on renewable energy sources. Indeed, as one engineer put it to me, if the go button were to be pushed on developing renewable energy in South Down, it would be four to five years between the process starting and getting renewable sources of energy production up and running. Likewise, there are projects and solutions in my constituency that cannot get operational as there is not the infrastructure. That needs to be addressed in any forthcoming strategy. As such, it must be reiterated that cross-departmental working must be to the fore in order to achieve a transition to cleaner energy.”
“<BR /> <BR />All Departments should be accountable for meeting net zero targets and facilitating the transition to renewable energy. That requires focus and direction. As such, it should be a central function within the Executive to ensure that each Department is meeting required targets. That will require a governance framework to be put in place. It is not just Departments that need to work together. The planners, energy producers and network operators need to be working together on this. These are large issues that affect the whole of Northern Ireland and will require a desire and strategic approach from the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />Points have been made, all of which I concur with, but I just want to put into practical terms how this affects my constituency of South Down.”
“While I accept that there is an element of renewables being developed because it is the right thing to do, the brass tacks of it are that financial incentives are needed in order to expedite the development of renewable energies. Quite simply, the costs are prohibitive to many who want to make that change. <BR /> <BR />I appreciate that the Minister for the Economy is in the Chamber. Ultimately, there has to be empowerment at the front of this. I appreciate the statement that the Minister has put on record and the work that officials in his Department have already put in. However, it requires action and direction, which a strategy will provide. As with so many issues, though, that requires cross-departmental thinking and actions if we are to see demonstrable solutions and changes in the sector.”
“We are an island nation, and we have many industries that are built upon engineering and getting to sea. We are also adept at developing and maintaining industries that are based at sea. We need to see a focus from the Assembly to assist us in that regard. By working alongside established industries and further and higher education institutions, there will not just be a reduction of emissions, which will be of benefit, but an upskilling of our workforce and development of our economy. I thank my colleague for highlighting that. <BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, we also have to deal with the legacy of a failed renewable energy scheme that has seen, albeit understandably, institutional reticence to support new schemes focused on renewable energies.”
“Green energy production is a key Alliance policy, and it is one that I am driven to speak on in the Chamber and will seek to progress during my time in the Assembly. Energy is central to all our lives — that is a given — but, as obvious as it seems, we cannot rely on a finite resource to supply our energy needs into the future. We need sustainable forms of energy, not just for ourselves but for our children, our environment and our planet. To do that, we must remove ourselves from the old fossil-fuel based ways of energy production. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland can and should be an ambitious world leader in energy efficient, clean and net zero technologies. Indeed, as one economist put it, what Saudi Arabia is to oil production, Ireland has the potential to be to offshore wind energy production.”
“Can the Minister provide an update on the work to develop a flood forecasting system and say whether he is actively working with other Departments to deliver that?”
“I thank the Minister. In developing a new rural affairs policy, will the opportunity for cross-border cooperation be considered?”
“Will the Minister provide an update on progress towards the introduction of the public health Bill?”
“What learning will be applied from the work of the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition to moving forward with transition?”
“<BR /> <BR />I encourage everyone to, in the nicest possible way, get on your bike at some stage this week and get some stoke through a spoke.”
“I echo the calls of agencies such as Cycling UK, Outscape and Sustrans in their efforts to make cycling, active travel and its benefits more accessible by investing in safe and healthy sustainable travel in Northern Ireland and putting it on a par with our neighbours in the Republic and Scotland; creating more neighbourhoods and communities that are connected via active travelways — I note that the solutions for our bigger cities are the same solutions as the ones wanted by those in our more rural towns and villages — ensuring that our children can cycle to the places that they want to go to, while enabling and encouraging them to do so; and increasing access to bikes in various ways so that cycling can become a genuine alternative to using cars. Through that, we can help to tackle climate change and air pollution.”
“I call on those in the Chamber and those listening online to give cyclists a bit of room. The minimum distance that drivers should give to cyclists when passing is 1·5 metres. If you think about it, you will agree that that is not much space. Indeed, if another vehicle passed your vehicle at that distance, you would probably find it to be pretty close, even though you would be surrounded by a metal frame to keep you safe. Cyclists do not have that same protection of a metal shell when travelling. <BR /> <BR />Very active clubs throughout the Province organise club and social rides as well as competitions, both on- and off-road. All abilities are catered for. I acknowledge the work that those clubs do in promoting cycling.”
“Today marks the start of Bike Week 2024. I certainly have an interest in cycling, though not a pecuniary one. Quite simply, cycling is good for you. It helps those who cycle to meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, and it benefits their mental health and well-being. It reduces the chances of other medical issues developing by up to 45%. Cycling helps to save the planet by reducing our emissions and our impact on the environment. It saves money and increases positive health outcomes. Being outside and exercising in the fresh air is good for your well-being. <BR /> <BR />More people want to cycle, but there are barriers to their participation. The biggest barrier is the fear of cycling on our roads. In the past 10 years, 22 cyclists have been killed on our roads.”
“My question has been answered, so I will withdraw it. <BR /> <BR />I would just like to welcome the Minister back. It is good to see him.”
“Thank you, Minister. Will the Budget settlement for 2024-25 allow the system to recover?”
“<BR /> <BR />As with many issues, there needs to be an inter-agency approach and cross-departmental working to achieve positive outcomes. Inclusion and diversity are important for children in the education system, but, to achieve that, the system must be given the resources, training and funding. The difficult part, given the pressures that we are under, is that we need time to get it right. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Member for South Down for securing the Adjournment debate. The outcomes for young people with complex educational needs must be kept to the forefront of our efforts. I look forward to working with my colleagues in other parties to help achieve that.”
“The practical outworkings of that are that a school will receive an educational psychologist for a grand total of 22 hours a year, yet a single assessment might take up to nine hours to complete. It is a finite resource. Once that assessment and need has been established and accounted for, the process of getting the child to school can prove difficult, as Diane Forsythe touched on, when the means of transport is not available. <BR /> <BR />I touched on capacity in the system. Schools have had their numbers increased, yet they remain on a site that was not designated for such a number. Schools have essentially reached capacity to the point where they can no longer accept new admissions, which, in turn, means that children have to be transported out of their area to receive schooling adequate to their needs.”
“As described to me, it is a very prolonged and arduous process. As one parent put it to me, "Nothing has been given. Everything that we have received has had to be fought for", and it got to the point where that parent essentially established their own informal forum to help other parents navigate the system. <BR /> <BR />There is a direct correlation between early assessment and the gaining of a statement, which leads to positive educational outcomes for the child in question. Again, I quote:”
“The underinvestment in special education and complex needs has been commented on since 2009. Indeed, I have a constituent whose professional career has involved being in the special school education system, and these issues have been highlighted to me for a long time. We have the best intentions of providing education for children with more-complex needs, but the practical provision and training for that is sometimes lacking. Indeed, the first remark that one teacher of a special school made to me when learning of the capital investment plan that the Minister recently announced was, "Whilst it is good news, it is now just a small matter of getting the staff to work on it". We appreciate that. <BR /> <BR />Once in the system, it is extremely challenging for parents to navigate that system.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is hard to know where to start when it comes to SEN provision because it is such a gigantic and wide issue, but perhaps the simplest place to begin is to say that it has been known for a number of years, as was noted by the Department of Education in response to a question, that:”
“Primarily, we dealt with schools that wished to avail themselves of a residential outdoor centre for their pupils. As such, I worked with many a school that had children with special educational needs in their mainstream classes and those which had special educational needs classes on their own, and I also worked with special schools that came to the centre. That was always very rewarding work. Indeed, when I read the Hansard report from when the issue was debated previously — it was tabled by a party colleague — I noticed that some of the schools that were referenced were schools that I have worked with. In fact, coincidentally, I know that it is not in South Down, but I was due to be working with Lisanally Special School before my career took a very abrupt turn, but anyway.”
“I thank my associate Member for South Down for bringing this item forward for debate. At the outset, we must keep education and welfare outcomes for children at the forefront of our thoughts. I think that we would all, to a person, speak about trying to ensure that every opportunity for education is maximised. Also of note is the dedication of the staff involved and how they best deal with the complex needs of individual children to ensure that they have positive educational experiences. From a personal point of view, I certainly associate myself with the comments that Cathy made about St Malachy's and the other schools too. <BR /> <BR />In my previous role — I have referenced it before — I worked as an instructor in an outdoor learning centre.”
“May I add Castlewellan to the list of towns that Matthew O'Toole mentioned from which commuters travel? Will the Minister confirm that the bypass will be reprioritised, given the obvious safety and air quality issues in the town?”
“I thank the Minister for the information that she provided. What is the structure of the joint agency task force, and how often does it meet?”
“Those successes are noteworthy, but there is no consistent approach or, indeed, funding for them here compared with other parts of the UK. They are, admittedly, piecemeal due to the time-limited nature of their funding. Therefore, while the motion's call for an independent environmental protection agency is welcome, if we are serious about our environmental and biodiversity status and are ever to improve it in the long term, a truly cross-cutting and integrated approach from the Assembly is required.”
“<BR /> <BR />I want to finish by referring to schemes that have proved that biodiversity can be protected and, with some help, can be successful and thrive. The Mourne Heritage Trust has piloted healthy heathlands in which natural materials have been used to re-profile peat hags so that they retain water and sediment, preventing them from washing out. There are the National Trust's DAERA-funded wildlife recovery projects and path building on the side of Slieve Donard. Landowners in South Down have seen the benefit of tree planting on small parcels of land and on whole hillsides, all of which increase an area's biodiversity. The RSPB's red kite scheme has seen the introduction of that majestic bird to South Down. Indeed, the red squirrel has seen its numbers increase due to conservation schemes.”
“<BR /> <BR />We need to be cognisant that there is no silver bullet that will reverse the habitat loss. Our upland environment has seen upwards of a 300% to 400% increase in the number of users accessing the hills, especially during COVID. While it is great to see people getting outside, the impact that we have on our uplands is drastic. Quite simply, other jurisdictions have more levers to pull and more resources to invest in their wild spaces than we do in Northern Ireland. It is not just one Department's role to reverse the stresses that the natural environment is suffering. The problem has been decades in the making and has not been helped by the stop-start nature of this institution. Our natural environment needs support and time to heal.”
“Fifty per cent of rivers in the Republic are of "Good" or "High" ecological health. It is worth noting that they have an Environmental Protection Agency that is independent from the Government. <BR /> <BR />It was a love for the outdoors that led me to set down my roots in Castlewellan in South Down. It has a superb coastline consisting of strands, rocky shores and tidal loughs, and areas of ancient woodland and open hillside, from rolling drumlins to crags on high hills — all areas that I have taken great pleasure and satisfaction in exploring, but all areas where habitats are under threat. The fire on the slopes of Slieve Donard in April 2021 was the starkest of those events, but the truth is that habitat loss was going on before that and will continue unabated without cross-departmental action and legislative support from the Assembly.”