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.”
The complete record
Every one of 604 lines we hold for Andrew McMurray, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 9 of 13.
“I call on the Executive to show their support to the farming sector and to earnestly lobby the UK Government on the matter.”
“Unfortunately, it brings into sharp focus the mortality of us all. One concern put to me was that if the father dropped dead, the "for sale" sign was going up. None of us knows the hour of our passing. Accidents and ill-health happen. The outworkings of the inheritance tax increase mean that there will be those who, despite being diligent in this regard, will be forced to pay to the point of losing the farm to a misfortune. It is difficult to listen to those disclosures. The reality is that if an accident befalls a loved one, it is not just that loss that has to be dealt with but the loss of the homestead and the farm. That cannot be right. <BR /> <BR />The upcoming spring statement provides an opportunity for the Chancellor to revisit and reverse this damaging decision.”
“According to the analysis, a 67-head suckler herd in sole ownership would require a 90% increase in the size of the herd. By my rough maths, that is an extra 60 head of cattle. From what little I know about this, an increase in herd size requires an increase in land, and that becomes illogical because farmers have to sell land to pay taxes and then buy land for it to be viable. That makes the whole operation unviable. <BR /> <BR />The core issues remain unresolved. The agri-food sector is important to the rural economy, the environment and to our communities. I hope that the issue can be resolved so that young farmers can thrive. <BR /> <BR />I do not need to imagine the stress that this is bringing on the farmers in my constituency. I hear it in their voices when they disclose to me the potential outworkings of this.”
“In practical terms, the association said that the tax cost to a typical farming business of spreading its payment over 10 years could be compared with the cost of employing an extra member of staff who would contribute to the business. As Miss McIlveen said, a 100-cow dairy farm in sole ownership would have to increase its herd by 41% to make up the extra cost. A dairy farmer in my constituency told me that that would simply put the farm out of business. Between 2018 and 2024, land prices quadrupled in our local area, with some as high as £25,000 to £40,000 per acre. The geography of South Down does not help. We have the Mournes on one side and the sea on the other. That drives prices up, and to be viable means buying ground, which cannot happen in the current climate.”
“I welcome the motion, which keeps an important issue on the agenda. I spoke on the issue in the Chamber in November when the new inheritance tax rules were announced. At the time, I and many others pointed out that the impact on Northern Ireland farmers would be harsh due to the comparatively high value of land in the Province. DAERA figures were quoted then, and again today, to underscore that fact. Thanks to a new deeper analysis of the DAERA data, we now know that the impact on the Northern Irish farming community will be even worse than feared at the time, with many more farms affected than the UK Government estimated. <BR /> <BR />We have seen, as others referenced, analysis by the Northern Ireland Rural Valuers' Association of the financial impact on typical Northern Irish farms, and the findings were striking.”
“I thank the Minister for that. It is positive. He referenced the health trusts and the ongoing review. Will he commit to engaging with principals and parents of such schools as Knockevin to ensure that any changes in provision reflect the views of those who are most affected by the withdrawal of nurses from special schools?”
“Will the Minister and his Department, along with EA, carry out formal feedback sessions with school and educational setting leaders to hear what further support and communications, they feel, are needed before and after major incidents such as storm Éowyn?”
“I have also communicated with the Minister on this subject. The village catalyst programme was welcomed; it concentrated on historic buildings. Will the Minister confirm whether there are plans in the rest of the mandate to support bringing empty buildings back into use in rural villages and towns?”
“Parkrun is a beacon of hope and unity in our society. It has grown into a vital community initiative that promotes health, well-being and inclusivity across Northern Ireland. As a free, weekly 5K event, parkrun welcomes participants of all ages, backgrounds and fitness levels to run, jog or walk and has a unique ability to bring people together regardless of community or creed. From public parks, such as Victoria Park and Ormeau Park in Belfast, to the Peace Bridge in Derry and through to the Lower Drummans event at Magilligan prison, parkrun connects communities in a way that transcends barriers. As Members of the Assembly, let us continue to celebrate and support parkrun for the incredible benefits that it brings to people in Northern Ireland.”
“Indeed, Northern Ireland is now home to 41 parkrun events and 13 junior parkruns, which represents a remarkable growth since the first event at the Waterworks in Belfast. Across the region, over 50,000 people are registered parkrunners, and around 6,000 individuals take part weekly by running, walking or volunteering. In the number of people participating, NI punches well above our weight. In the rest of the UK, there is one participant per 347 of the population; in the Republic of Ireland, it is one participant per 333 of the population; but, in NI, it is one participant per 285 of the population. <BR /> <BR />It has become a shining example of community resilience, inclusivity and well-being across Northern Ireland with its focus on cross-community engagement and its ability to positively impact on physical and mental health.”
“I acknowledge the 10th anniversary of the Castlewellan parkrun, which takes place every Saturday at 9.30 am in the grounds of Castlewellan Forest Park. Admittedly, I do not partake in parkrun as often as I should like, but it is a fantastic event that takes place in the town. There are also events in Rostrevor and Downpatrick, as well as one that is just outside my constituency in the Montalto estate, Ballynahinch. I am sure that there is one in which every MLA could partake. That said, I know that Members are actively involved in parkrun as participants or volunteers, which further demonstrates its reach and impact. <BR /> <BR />The events exemplify community in action and reflect the values that we aim to uphold as representatives of the Assembly.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Will she clarify whether the delay in publishing the delivery plan has delayed the implementation of the fees uplift?”
“First Minister, I associate myself with what has gone before. I will mention the community centres that have opened up, such as GAA clubs and church halls. There are so many questions to ask, but I will focus on climate change, because it is likely to mean warmer oceans resulting in more intense storms and more intense bouts of weather. What learning has occurred so far from Friday's event, and what will be done?”
“In conclusion, I congratulate the founding members of the club as well as those who have contributed to its ongoing success and growth. Here's to another 10 years.”
“As is the way with these things, it is not only about sport. It is an inviting club that, in its own words, has become:”
“The Feel Good Factor aims to create a safe space for women to come to so that they can be upskilled and actively participate in an outdoor activity and get all the physical and mental health benefits that come with it. Those skills range from being trained in first aid, should an accident happen, all the way through to being comfortable on the summit of Slieve Donard in temperatures of -11°C, although "comfortable" is perhaps the wrong word in that context. The club, which is comprised of complete beginners all the way through to instructors of the highest standards, prides itself, through its nature, on creating not only participants but instructors and coaches. It continues to be a pathway for others to engage in those sports. The club teaches competence, which engenders confidence.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I rise to acknowledge the 10th anniversary of the Feel Good Factor, which is a multisport outdoor pursuits club for women. The club has its origins in South Down, but it has now reached all across Northern Ireland. I was humbled to be invited to its anniversary dinner, which took place last Saturday evening at the Tollymore National Outdoor Centre. The 60 members who attended had taken part in a day of upskilling themselves in the mountains and on mountain bikes. <BR /> <BR />There can be barriers to entering sports, not least outdoor sports, that require people to have a certain number of technical skills before they can be safely practised either on one's own or as part of a proficient group.”
“Thank you to the Minister. Does the Housing Executive expect, or is it preparing for, any increase in demand as a consequence of the removal of that payment?”
“Has the Minister considered targeted exemptions or adjustments to the referenced minimum income floor for the self-employed, rural farmers and seasonal workers?”
“I thank the Member who asked the substantive question. What action does the Minister plan to take to improve animal welfare in the remainder of this mandate?”
“Very briefly, I would like to associate myself with the Minister's comments thanking the staff for their work over the past weekend. Will the Minister give us his assessment as to whether tidal defences in towns around Northern Ireland are adequate or whether further improvements will be required in the light of climate change to prevent further flooding incidents?”
“Thank you, Minister. What role does the Minister see planning play in addressing climate change and the nature emergency?”
“Thank you to the Minister for coming down. As referenced, our road network is over capacity, and our travel patterns are overwhelmingly car-orientated. You have referenced what we can do, but the question really is this: how can your Department encourage people to reduce their reliance on cars?”
“The Minister said that he is engaging with the community and voluntary sector. How is that engagement being carried forward in order to maximise use of the sector's expertise in delivering such an important service?”
“Indeed, I witnessed that on Sunday morning on my run, when the tarmac around a manhole disintegrated in front of my very eyes. That issue happens all the time. <BR /> <BR />If the Department does not spot a substandard repair within three years, it becomes responsible for fixing the damage. The report found that the Department has improved the way in which it manages those road openings but also that further improvements could be made. For example, it suggested that the inspection and testing programmes could be improved, the warranty extended and inspection charges increased. I hope that the Minister will consider those options carefully to ensure that the Department focuses its limited resources on the repairs that are truly its responsibility and does not pick up the tab for issues that are caused by utilities.”
“To make matters worse, DFI's transport and road asset management branch has also been struggling with severe staff shortages. All that means that only an essential road maintenance service has been delivered for some time now, and only the highest-priority defects have been fixed in areas of high risk. As we have seen, even priority defects can often take longer to fix than they should. <BR /> <BR />Today, as was referenced, the NI Audit Office published a report on road openings by utilities. The issue is that utilities must sometimes open roads or footpaths to maintain their infrastructure, but they are then obliged to repair the opening to an acceptable standard. Unfortunately, that does not always happen, and, in those cases, the road or footpath might deteriorate more quickly.”
“Again, as a cyclist, I find that deeply concerning. I am not alone in feeling that way. In a DFI survey on road safety, 40% of cyclists said that poor road conditions made them feel unsafe, ranking behind only heavy traffic and inconsiderate drivers. <BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, our roads are getting worse. In recent years, the gap between defects instructed and defects repaired has widened dramatically. DFI's most recent report shows that, last year, almost 28,000 priority defects were recorded in Newry, Mourne and Down, but only around 18,000 were repaired within the specified time frame. That is a gap of almost 10,000 serious potholes that are just sitting there waiting to be repaired. <BR /> <BR />As is so true about many other issues, that reflects significant long-term underinvestment in our roads network.”
“A few weeks ago, an interesting piece of research was mentioned at the Infrastructure Committee about the use of eyeball tracking to show that motorcyclists spend more time scanning for road defects than car drivers do, and that that time is not spent scanning for other hazards. I am a pedal cyclist. While we travel more slowly, other motor vehicles will often swerve to avoid hazards and therefore put cyclists at risk. People have a tendency to think about themselves rather than the cyclist at the side of the road. <BR /> <BR />We already know that inattention is a major cause of road accidents, so any distractions that disproportionately affect the most vulnerable road users must make us pause. That is not adequately reflected in the way in which road safety statistics are currently presented.”
“The response confirmed that the majority of personal injury claims are from pedestrians but that the Department cannot disaggregate personal injury claims from pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. I encourage the Minister to collect that data in future so that the risk that is faced by different road users can be better understood. <BR /> <BR />Vulnerable road users can be seriously hurt if they ride through or trip over a pothole or veer into traffic in order to avoid one. Those road users are also at increased risk from other drivers losing control of their vehicles.”
“Vehicle damage claims from Newry, Mourne and Down have nearly tripled in the past five years. There were 704 claims in 2023-24. DFI paid out for nearly 600 of them at a cost of over £770,000. I think that Ms Forsythe referred to that. Most of that increase in claims was due to potholes. In most cases, a vehicle was damaged, but we must not forget that 120 claims in the past five years were made because someone in the Newry, Mourne and Down area was physically hurt due to a road defect. <BR /> <BR />Potholes are more dangerous for vulnerable road users. That includes cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians, especially those with reduced mobility. That is easily forgotten when the focus is on damage to cars. I wrote to the Minister, asking for a breakdown of public liability claims for personal injury by road user type.”
“I thank the Member for South Down Ms Forsythe for raising the issue and, indeed, the Minister for being here. The Minister has been at the crease for quite a while now. He has had two innings, not out. Happy days. <BR /> <BR />The state of the roads is appalling, no more so than in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, which covers most of my constituency of South Down. With 20,005 potholes in 2023, Newry, Mourne and Down has the highest number of surface defects in Northern Ireland by a substantial margin. It also has the worst ratio of potholes to road length, with approximately 6·5 potholes for every kilometre of road in 2023. For the past five years, Newry, Mourne and Down was also the council area with the highest number of claims resulting in compensation. Potholes can cause a lot of damage.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I certainly associate myself with the comments of and the love for South Down that the two Members who have spoken have expressed. There is a well-worn cliché of politicians appearing in the local paper pointing at a pothole, but it is a cliché for a reason. The issue of potholes is raised regularly with us, and it is important to our constituents in South Down. I hear regularly about people having to drive in the middle of the road, people having their back pain exacerbated by going over potholes and, indeed, parents' difficulties in trying to keep their children with special needs comfortable on journeys. The list goes on. That is why I stand here this evening talking about potholes and the state of the roads.”
“I thank the Minister. Will outdoor play investment allow schools to develop outdoor learning environments suitable for the delivery of programmes such as the forest school programme?”
“Many will know that Donard Park, up to the Glen river and on to the saddle between Slieve Donard and Slieve Commedagh, is one of the most iconic gateways into the Mournes. Constructing a gondola of industrial scale in such a wonderful natural environment will not augment the area; indeed, the opposite is true. <BR /> <BR />In my time in elected politics, this has been one of the biggest issues raised with me by my constituents, who are opposed to the project. From the pub to the pew — literally — the general public have consistently let me know their views on the project, and, as the response to the petition suggests, it is not one of endorsement.”
“We urge the Minister to exert his influence to prompt a rethink of the problematic elements of the project. Outside the Chamber, the petition is a barometer for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to take into consideration when it next has to make a decision on the project. <BR /> <BR />There is no shortage of reasons why we oppose the gondola. We have unfortunately ended up in a situation where there has been a lack of public consultation; where other, more sustainable uses of funding have been disregarded; where financial risk is involved; where there is a lack of economic viability; and where there is a threat to the local environment through the disruption of our area's vast and unique natural beauty.”
“The material ask of the petition is to stop the Mourne Mountains gondola project and the associated visitor centre to be located at Thomas's Quarry on the side of Slieve Donard. The project concerns a gondola ride of no more than 1,300 m with a height of under 250 m. It includes the construction of a visitor centre in a special area of conservation and area of special scientific interest. <BR /> <BR />Mr Speaker, I ask that the petition be passed to the Minister for the Economy, as two major bodies associated with the project fall within his remit, namely Tourism NI and the Department for the Economy. We hope to draw the Minister's attention to the feelings of local people and those who love and care for the upland environment, and their opposition to the proposal.”
“I am here as an MLA for South Down, representing the Alliance Party, to present this petition to stop the Mourne Mountain gondola project. Currently, the number of signatures on the petition exceeds 6,000. It is an honour to present it to you in the Chamber. I am glad that some of that number who organised the petition are in the Public Gallery today, as well as my Alliance Party colleagues from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, who have consistently stood with those opposed to the project.”
“That requires an industry-led vision for the future that can safeguard and sustainably grow that vital sector, ensuring that it supports jobs and thriving coastal communities now and in the future.”
“While it is important to press the UK Government for changes, we should also explore solutions within our devolved powers and support the fishing industry to develop alternative sustainable workforce solutions. The industry is also making technological innovations to future-proof the sector. When preparing for this discussion, I was informed of the sea trials of a new prawn tailing and shelling vessel. Likewise, the processing plant in Ardglass is developing innovative processes to help with its productivity. That is not being done to remove the reliance on physical labour; it is to reduce the reliance on the skilled worker visa. We need to support a sustainable fishing industry and develop a diverse marine sector that is able to take advantage of new opportunities.”
“I know that the AERA Minister, Minister Muir, is alive to those concerns, which the fishing industry has raised with him. Given the fact that it is a reserved matter, the Minister has written to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Secretary of State to reiterate the immigration policy issues faced across the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland. Although the EFRA Secretary of State, Mr Reed, has rejected the suggested policy changes that were put forward for consideration, I have been assured that the Minister continues to press the UK Government for flexibility on, and alternative options to, the existing policy on immigration. I am also heartened that the Minister has agreed to collaborate with Department for the Economy officials to develop an immigration policy position to be considered by the Executive.”
“It is a Hobson's choice, if you will, where, either way, the industry loses: too high and the produce will not sell; too low and it will simply be an unprofitable business in a declining industry. Secondly, the physical infrastructure of the harbour at Ardglass needs updated in order to address health and safety concerns as well as to protect the structural integrity of boats. We need to upgrade the harbours so that they are fit for purpose and able to support a modern and agile fleet. Thirdly and perhaps most significantly — this is the emphasis of the Adjournment debate — is the reliance of the industry on the employment of non-EU workers and the current impact, and potential further impacts, of the skilled worker visa policy on the Northern Ireland fish-catching and fish-processing industries.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Ardglass fishing industry is proud of the contribution that it makes to the food industry in the UK. As one representative of the industry put it to me, it is the last bastion of UK fish, caught in UK waters and sold in UK supermarkets. That shows clearly how important the sector is to the coastal areas of South Down and Strangford and how much poorer, financially and culturally, we would be without it. <BR /> <BR />From conversing with many involved in the industry, it is clear that there are many challenges in the sector. First, there is the price point at which supermarkets place the seafood. The produce is sold at a price point that the supermarkets feel the consumer is willing to spend, but that is not a point that allows the boats to make enough profit to remain viable.”
“Boatbuilding, boat repair and fish markets are obvious such sectors, but there are others that may be less well known. Skippers already use their skills and seafaring knowledge to provide support services to offshore wind farms, for example. That will only become more important. There is also potential for other blue economy sectors to be developed in and around our fishing ports, and those, too, will depend on having a skilled local workforce. In 2021, Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie supported 240 such ancillary businesses with a turnover of £129 million and provided the equivalent of over 1,400 full-time jobs. Those ancillary businesses' economic impact is nearly as significant as the impact of fishing and seafood processing.”
“I thank Mrs Mason for bringing the debate to the House and the representatives of the fishing industry in the Gallery for attending. <BR /> <BR />The fishing industry is key to the culture and identity of our rural and coastal communities. It is also an important sector of our coastal economy. In 2021, there were 341 fishing and seafood-processing enterprises in Northern Ireland. They had a turnover of £135 million and provided the equivalent of 1,550 full-time jobs. Their activities added a gross value of £55·5 million to the economy. Three quarters of that came from businesses located in and around Ardglass, Kilkeel and, just outside my constituency, Portavogie. <BR /> <BR />Fishing also supports a range of ancillary sectors in the blue economy.”
“Minister, how can the protection of peatlands improve biodiversity?”
“<BR /> <BR />Some of the impact of the new tax rules can be mitigated by succession planning, and I want to highlight the Minister's efforts to help farming families through DAERA's Farming for the Generations pilot scheme. Also, I echo the sentiments expressed by the UFU president yesterday evening in encouraging all those who are potentially affected to seek professional tax and legal advice on the matter. Yet the despondency and anger over this matter are and were palpable. As was said to me last night, we can disagree on any number of things, on many points of principle, but this inheritance tax is wrong and should not be implemented.”
“Yes, those assets are valuable, but only because they enable farmers to run a profitable farm. If assets have to be sold off to fund a tax bill, farmers will lose that ability. Inheritance tax will hinder investment and development in the industry. <BR /> <BR />I know that Minister Muir agrees with me that this is a bad Budget for farmers, and he has written to the Chancellor, as have his Executive colleagues, outlining the concerns and urging her to reconsider the changes. The Minister is making the case to Executive colleagues for ring-fencing agriculture funding locally to ensure that we can continue to tackle the major environmental challenges that we face together while protecting rural economies and food security in Northern Ireland. I welcome all those efforts.”
“As one farmer in my constituency put it, the best way to help farmers to be nature-friendly is for them to be profitable. If farms are profitable, farmers will feel comfortable and will invest in green measures. <BR /> <BR />Precarity is the enemy of innovation and investment. It is frustrating that the UK Government have decided to create barriers for young farmers rather than supporting them to carry their family farms forward in a sustainable way. Ending ring-fenced funding for agriculture will only worsen the impact on our farmers. Farm assets are built up over generations and require big investments, with farms, land, buildings and machinery passed on through generations. The implementation of inheritance tax is simply punishing the hard work that has gone before.”
“It is more like £20,000 to £25,000, so these new tax rules will strain our rural economies to the point of breaking. <BR /> <BR />Farmers play a key role as we transform into a greener and more environmentally friendly society. They take great pride in their role as custodians of the countryside. Older farmers have put in place nature-based measures that they will not see the benefit of but that will come to maturity for their children. Many are now aware that they will not be able to pass on their farm to allow those to mature. To farm in a sustainable way, first, you have to be farming. That is a quote from some of the people whom I have been speaking to. Farmers are not the sole reason for the environmental breakdown that we are seeing, but they are an integral part of the solution.”
“Farmers are the custodians of the countryside, and family farming is the cornerstone of the agriculture sector. The new tax rules are bad for farmers everywhere in the UK, but farmers in Northern Ireland will be particularly badly affected due to the comparatively high value of agricultural land. The Chancellor says that only one in four farms will be affected by the new rules, but DAERA estimates that the percentage in Northern Ireland will be higher, with one in three being a more realistic estimate across different types of farms. For dairy farms, the number could be as high as three in four. I am sure that many other MLAs have come across this as well: none of the farmers whom I have spoken to recognises the £17,000 average price per acre.”