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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“What is more, they are a particularly unfair version of a water fee, because they disproportionately hit those who are at the bottom of the housing ladder. That is the opposite of progressive policy. <BR /> <BR />That leaves the third prong: the water, flooding and sustainable drainage Bill. I have no issue with sustainable drainage. In fact, I am in favour of it. Natural flood management and sustainable drainage systems can and will improve things, but only somewhat. The capacity issues in our waste water system are so severe, however, that we need significant and hard investment in infrastructure in order to address them. Chronic underfunding is the cause —.”
“<BR /> <BR />There is broad agreement across the political spectrum that the crisis is real and is getting worse, yet the Minister continues to cling to the deeply flawed three-pronged approach. The first prong, which is to work with Executive colleagues to increase waste water investment, resulted in an extra £19·5 million in capital funding last year, which reduced NI Water's capital funding gap to £246·5 million. That investment falls far short of what is needed. Developer contributions — the second prong — are widely considered to be viable only for high-end properties, and they carry with them a very real risk of driving up house prices and making homeownership even harder for lower-income families. Indeed, those developer contributions are a hidden water fee.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I apologise. I was a bit trigger-happy there. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Opposition for tabling what is an important motion. Our amendment seeks merely to augment the motion, not to change it, because the Alliance Party is in agreement with the points that are made in it. Our waste water system is in crisis. Lough Neagh is broken, and Belfast lough is going the same way. Construction has ground to a halt in many parts of the country, and NI Water has breached its resource budget. We do not yet know the reasons for the overspend, but NI Water has been clear that it cannot meet its legal obligations in the context of the huge resource and capital funding gaps that we are currently witnessing. I look forward to reading the findings of the forensic audit once it is complete.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank the Opposition for tabling the motion. Our amendment seeks merely to augment —.”
“Equally, however, we must urgently address the substantial failings in infrastructure delivery in Northern Ireland. To achieve that, we must continue to reform our dysfunctional planning system and address skills and culture issues in Departments in which projects are delivered.”
“The NIAO came to a similar conclusion in its report on the capacity and capability of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. Those issues are at system and delivery level; they are not about strategy and are only marginally about advice. An infrastructure commission, as proposed by the independent ministerial advisory panel in 2020, would not be involved at the level of planning and stakeholder engagement in the delivery of infrastructure projects. It could advise on, but would not run, those projects. That is precisely where many of the problems causing delays and overspends originate. <BR /> <BR />Yes, we need an independent, expert-led infrastructure commission for the sake of evidence-based advice and improved long-term strategic planning.”
“The NIAO estimated that the cost to complete the 77 projects that were in the pipeline at the end of August 2023 would be £2·45 billion higher than planned. That is a 44% increase in spending — money that could have been invested elsewhere to improve our public services. <BR /> <BR />Importantly, I do not think that an infrastructure commission is the solution to all those issues. That is not because I do not believe in the merits of such a commission — I do — but because it would not address the root causes of the delays and overspends. The Strategic Investment Board looked into those root causes and found them to be excessively complex planning policy and regulations, insufficient attention to stakeholder engagement, lack of expertise in Departments and the unpredictability resulting from complex systems.”
“The commission would support stability and could bring much-needed long-term perspective to strategic infrastructure planning, free from the pressures of electoral cycles. That is key to addressing some of the major challenges and long-term needs that we face as a society. <BR /> <BR />I also agree with the first half of the motion. Indeed, I am alarmed at the continued failings in the delivery of capital projects that have been highlighted so clearly in the recent reports of the Northern Ireland Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee. The majority of our major capital projects experience unacceptably long delays and huge overspends. Despite earlier reports highlighting the same failings, those issues have not been improved on.”
“I thank the Opposition for tabling the motion. I welcome the motion and agree with both parts of it independently, although I am not convinced that one will fully address the other. Alliance has long called for an independent, expert-led infrastructure commission to improve long-term strategic planning. We want the commission to have a 30-year vision to prioritise, report on and drive the delivery of infrastructure projects. It should assume the responsibilities of the existing Strategic Investment Board to assist Departments to deliver projects. Unlike the Strategic Investment Board, it must be independent. Independence is the norm for similar bodies across the globe and is widely supported by experts. We should not lag behind on that.”
“On the feasibility study of flood mitigation measures, will the Minister commit resources in order to expedite putting such measures in place to prevent any further flooding?”
“He epitomised what my grandmother often quotes to me: look after strangers, for, amongst them, there may be angels. I should maybe have included that in the ecumenical section, as my granny is the most Presbyterian person whom I know. I would like to have spoken to him about the stranger in foreign lands. <BR /> <BR />I will not get the chance to speak to Pope Francis, but, if his theological legacy is one of encouraging us to speak to one another with more grace, that is something that I can subscribe to.”
“On his approach to the LGBTQ+ community — "If a gay person seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?" — I would like to reflect his approach in being accepting. He spoke about a healing Church: "Throw a rock in the air, and you will hit someone hurting". I would like to talk more about healing the wounds in our society. He spoke on the impact of consumerism on our environment and climate: "We create vast quantities of wants; yet, there are still many in need. We waste vast amounts of food; yet, people still go hungry". I would like to have spoken to him about that. He spoke of the isms of ideologies and how they can become outdated and be a barrier to peace and progress. I would like to have spoken to him about the limitations of ideological isms. He was a voice for strangers in foreign lands.”
“Mr Speaker, thank you for affording us the time to mark the occasion. <BR /> <BR />On hearing the news and reading the associated reflections on the death of Pope Francis, I have been thinking about what I would like to have spoken to him about, had I had the chance. He was an ecumenical pope, meeting those from different denominations, including Eastern Orthodox leaders and Muslim leaders. He even met my mother and father's Presbyterian minister. <BR /> <BR />I would like to have talked to him about building bridges, not walls. On his name, "Francis", after Francis of Assisi — he was a man who loved Creation — he remarked, "These days, we do not have a good relationship with Creation, do we?". I would like to have talked to him about looking after his creation.”
“I believe that the trust has committed to looking at that cultural aspect of disability services, but change cannot come soon enough.”
“I asked a priority question for written answer about the exact numbers, but I did not get an answer back in time for today's debate. In any case, that shows me that direct payments do not work for parents, who need respite services rather than cash. <BR /> <BR />There are so many things that are wrong with the way that children's disability services are being delivered. I could speak on, but I want to say one more thing. In reading through Committee evidence, I can see that there has been an acknowledgement that, at times, compassion and empathy have been lacking in interactions between the trusts and service users. My constituent has also felt let down by that. Parents do not deserve to be spoken to in a way that lacks compassion just because they ask for the help that they need to care for their child, whom they love so much.”
“I learned today, in a response to a question for oral answer, that only 6% of the £1·3 million that was spent last year to improve respite services actually went into overnight short breaks. That is alarming. <BR /> <BR />In order to make up for that glaring lack of services, the trust will often offer direct payments in lieu of short breaks. Parents then need to make their own arrangements. That is more work for parents who are already at breaking point. My constituent does not currently receive those payments, as she finds it too difficult to manage recruitment and all the admin that comes with being an employer. I have been told by organisations that work in this sector that direct payments are often returned unspent because parents cannot find care providers either.”
“A constituent of mine who has a young child with complex needs was told that respite beds would become available at Redwood. She was even given a tour of the building and was promised that it definitely would not be turned into a residential home. She heard on the radio that Redwood would be residential after all. I can begin to imagine how crushing that was, because, when speaking to her, I saw that it was incredibly crushing for her. <BR /> <BR />The trust hoped to recover respite beds in Lindsey House and to provide additional nights at Greenhill, but my understanding is that it does not intend to create any new additional respite beds. Even with those very limited plans, our hopes are extremely fragile.”
“I thank the Minister for being here. I also thank my colleague for securing this very important debate. Adequate short break provision is absolutely essential. Hearing Members' powerful testimonies of some of the interactions that all of us here have probably had has added to the debate and its poignancy. <BR /> <BR />In February, there were 85 young people on the waiting list for short breaks in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust area. Only 13 young people receive regular short breaks. Some 72 families are in crisis every single day and every single night, yet they cannot get the relief and rest that they need. When additional funding was announced last October, parents absolutely expected that there would be new respite beds.”
“Will the Minister come to South Down and meet residents to discuss the impact of these fires?”
“I associate myself with some of the comments already made, especially in paying tribute to and giving thanks for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, all the associated agencies involved and individuals. I also echo what the Minister has said. I have worked in the Mournes and been there, and I know that it is just a matter of time before loss of life happens. Some 53 weeks ago, I was camping in the forest just across the road from where the Hilltown fire was. I dread to think what could have happened, given how these fires spread. They are not wildfires, they are fires.”
“Is a few months really sufficient time for a review that is so fundamental to our public finances?”
“Is there a timeline for completion of the works?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Given the lack of previous investment and the fact that many businesses, such as those in Downpatrick, are recovering from the floods, can the Minister provide an assurance that any rebalancing will be targeted efficiently?”
“I thank the Minister for the answer; it is very encouraging. Having spoken to local Comhaltas branches, I know that there is a desire to reach out to all aspects of traditional music in Northern Ireland. What can the Minister and his Department do to further encourage the sharing of musical traditions at such events as Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for the answer. The redress schemes were mentioned, and we need to ensure that any redress that is paid as a result of past abuse does not affect future benefit entitlements. If an update could be given on that, it would be much appreciated.”
“For water sports, that means that, more and more often, events are cancelled, postponed or moved and, in some cases, participants become ill. Angling, triathlon, paddling, canoeing, open-water swimming, sailing, windsurfing and rowing are among the sports that have reported those negative effects. I am pleased to be able to sponsor an event by the Clean Water Sports Alliance this Wednesday, and I encourage Members to come and hear about the impact that pollution is having on sports across Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, I will paraphrase what I have said here before: as Ratty said to Mole, there's nothing quite so much fun as messing about on the water.”
“Lakes, rivers and seas do for water sports what pitches, halls and courts do for our traditional sports. They are absolutely essential playgrounds for water sports, but they are not reliably available in the way that other sports facilities are. Some of the disruption is inevitable, but, increasingly, man-made pollution is curtailing participation in water sports. <BR /> <BR />NI Water has almost 2,500 storm overflows, which spill 20 million tons of untreated sewage and waste water into our waterways every year. Four of every 10 overflows are classified as "unsatisfactory", which means that they discharge much more frequently than they should. As a result of those discharges and other sources of pollution, none of our rivers or lakes has "good" overall water quality.”
“I rise to shine a spotlight on water sports and their reliance on clean water. Water sports have always been popular, but interest and participation took off over the COVID pandemic. I understand that, not just as a participant but as someone who used to work as an instructor and who did a lot to try to encourage people on to our waterways. <BR /> <BR />Over 300,000 people participate in some form of water sport on our lakes, rivers and seas, and six of our seven medals at the 2024 Olympics came in water sports. The many benefits of water sports are well understood, but the impact that water quality is having on those sports may be less well known. We may know a lot about the environmental and economic impacts, but the societal impacts of our poor water quality are perhaps slightly less amplified.”
“Thank you, Minister. How are science and evidence helping to inform actions to tackle the blue-green algae in Lough Neagh?”
“Thank you, Minister. Do you intend to make the findings of the investigation public?”
“Eirgrid now estimates that it will not be completed until 2031, which is much too late. I understand that the main delays are rooted south of the border, so I urge the Minister to engage with her counterpart to ensure timely delivery on that essential piece of infrastructure.”
“I am not sure why that interjection came to me. I am not the Environment Minister, and I am sure that the Member could raise that by various means rather than interjecting. Anyway, we will carry on. <BR /> <BR />Where did I get to? A revised strategy and policy statement (SPS) for renewables and low-carbon energy should have been published before Christmas to rectify that, yet, three months on, we are still waiting for it. <BR /> <BR />Infrastructure is also a big issue for the grid and for storage. Every year, an increasing share of wind energy is lost because the infrastructure needed to store and distribute it efficiently is not there. The North/South interconnector is a key piece of infrastructure and is absolutely vital to achieving the 80 by '30 target, reducing energy waste and bringing down electricity prices.”
“It would be absolutely transformative for South Down. <BR /> <BR />The planning system is rightly referenced in the motion. Major planning applications have a 30-week target, but applications for wind farms take, on average, three years to be processed. That is much too long, and there is not enough accountability for those timelines. Our neighbouring jurisdictions, as already referenced, handle it much better. We also need to reform planning policy so that renewable applications stand a chance. At the moment, decarbonisation is not given enough weight, and a revised —.”
“RenewableNI estimates that as little as 1·5 gigawatts from the Northern Ireland offshore projects installed by 2032 could produce up to £2·4 billion in gross added value for Northern Ireland companies and produce employment up to the equivalent of 32,400 people working full-time for a whole year. Many of those would be highly skilled and well-paid jobs. <BR /> <BR />The offshore sector could give a real boost to coastal communities in my constituency. Much of the work involved in offshore renewables will be centred around the smaller ports and harbours that host offshore maritime services, bases and storage facilities. We already have a healthy and innovative sector of small and medium-sized businesses in Kilkeel that could latch on to offshore projects off the South Down and Northern Ireland coast.”
“I welcome and support the motion. Growing our capacity to produce, store and distribute renewable energy is absolutely vital to our climate, environment and economy. It is alarming to see that the share of electricity consumption that comes from renewables has been steadily decreasing over the past few years. We should be well on our way to achieving the target of 80% by 2030; instead, we are regressing. We know that many of the key growth sectors of the future come with even higher energy demands. We must be able to support them. <BR /> <BR />Renewable energy is not just a means to an end. The renewables sector can make a huge difference to our economy.”
“Minister, why is it important to report cases of bluetongue?”
“Thank you, Minister. Will the Minister explain the issue that led to immigration solicitors withdrawing their services? What subsequent engagement has she had with them?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. In referencing cross-border greenway opportunities, has the Minister considered or raised the potential of linking and developing greenways that are on the Warrenpoint side of Carlingford lough on the completion of the Narrow Water bridge?”
“<BR /> <BR />I have spoken to a local colleague about the A6 and understand that the slow progress of phase 2 is causing a lot of bother for the village of Drumahoe in particular. I have been told that, during the morning rush hour, there is a queue of traffic coming off the A6 that is almost as long as the village itself. That is unhealthy for air quality. I hope that a way can be found to overcome any barriers that the project faces currently. As for the illegal waste site at Mobuoy, I know that consultation on a draft remediation strategy is in the pipeline. I will be interested to see what the outcome of that is.”
“I will definitely try to keep my comments brief. I support the north-west transport plan. I would like to see it delivered sooner rather than later. The same goes for the expansion of all-Ireland rail. As a society, we are much too dependent on private cars. We urgently need significant investment to create a clean, sustainable transport system. The north-west transport plan will hopefully help to improve the sustainability of the local transport system and support sustainable travel in and around Derry and Strabane. That will do the area a lot of good. My reading of the Department's transport study of the area is that local bus services and pedestrian and cycling infrastructure all have scope for improvement. I hope that, once published, the north-west transport plan will help to deliver some of that.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. She and I agree on some of the overarching themes, but she referenced mutualisation and privatisation together. Does she accept that, although mutualisation is about community ownership, privatisation is a different financial model?”
“Minister, you referred to your being the previous Infrastructure Minister. Is the £15 million that has been allocated to the DFI urban drainage proposal the total amount that was bid for? From your experience in that previous role, do you think that it will be sufficient to make an impact on the challenges faced in that Department?”
“Given that more than 85% of the latest round of musical instruments for bands funding was awarded to those from one particular background, how does the Minister's Department intend to ensure that the funding reaches a diverse range of musical genres and cultural traditions in Northern Ireland?”
“What is the Minister doing in his Department to encourage good succession planning on our family farms?”
“Thank you, Minister, for the statement. The statement refers to active travel and park-and-ride as being means of tackling many issues, including the meeting of climate change targets, congestion, health and sustainability. Thinking specifically about bikes, what consideration is the Minister giving to accommodating active travel at both ends of a journey when it comes to using the Glider and other bus services?”
“Thank you, Minister. As part of delivering 80% renewables by 2050, how is the Minister working with the UK and our neighbours in the Republic of Ireland and across Europe to ensure that those in the offshore maritime industry remain competitive and at the forefront of their industry?”
“Will the Minister outline his priorities for the Department over the next year, specifically his priorities for the 2025-26 budget allocations?”
“What conversations about avian influenza has the Minister had with the Ulster Farmers' Union?”
“I thank the Minister. In light of the current economic climate for small to medium-sized businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors, why is he consulting on small business rate relief in year 2 of the strategic review rather than in year 1, given its urgency for some of our town centres?”
“I thank the Minister. It has been acknowledged that errors happen. There was a 17% rise in official error overpayments. Is the Department considering policy changes in order to ensure that claimants are not unfairly burdened with repayments?”