Aoife Finnegan
Newry and Armagh · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on Second Stage of the Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill. Sinn Féin recognises the need to modernise the legislation governing our fisheries and water environment.”
“Those who deliberately pollute our waterways should be held accountable, but enforcement alone will not resolve the underlying causes of poor water quality. If we are serious about restoring our rivers, lakes and waterways, we must continue to invest in waste water infrastructure.”
“Approximately half of respondents to the Department's consultation on the policy proposals expressed the view that the impact assessments accompanying the consultation did not adequately consider the potential impacts of the proposals. That is a significant concern and should not be overlooked.”
“It is one of the reasons for many victims never coming forward and for others withdrawing before their case reaches trial. That should concern every one of us. Clause 26 is therefore a welcome and important step forward.”
“They are asked why they had not reported it sooner; whether they had been drinking; what they were wearing; or whether previous relationships somehow diminish their credibility. No victim should ever feel that they are on trial, yet, for too many survivors, that has been their lived experience.”
“Catalysed by the infamous rugby rape trial, it exposed uncomfortable truths about how victims were treated, and it challenged us to build a justice system that delivers justice without compounding trauma.”
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“Supporting this extension reinforces our role as a responsible and outward-looking Government who recognise the urgency of the ecological crisis. <BR /> <BR />The clauses before us do not impose undue burdens; rather, they provide a legal certainty that is needed for agencies and enforcement bodies to play their part in upholding international standards, preventing illegal exploitation and contributing to global environmental stewardship. Agreeing to the extension is the right thing to do scientifically, morally and environmentally. I therefore commend the motion to the Assembly.”
“Our fishing communities, marine economy and unique biodiversity, from deep-sea corals to migratory species, are all impacted by what happens far beyond our waters. The health of the ocean does not recognise borders, nor does the damage caused by overexploitation, pollution or the accelerating climate crisis. That places sustainability, conservation and transparency in scientific cooperation at the heart of how humanity interacts with the oceans. Extending the provisions to the North ensures that we are full partners in that global effort. It also aligns with our environmental commitments. Sinn Féin has made it clear that protecting biodiversity, acting on climate obligations and safeguarding our natural heritage for future generations are not optional extras but essential responsibilities.”
“We support the legislative consent motion. The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill gives domestic effect to the high seas treaty, the first truly global agreement to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond any state's national jurisdiction. <BR /> <BR />The clauses for which consent is sought relate to enforcement powers; environmental impact assessment requirements; licensing and monitoring of activities in the high seas; and designation and management of marine protected areas. Those matters, while largely operationalised at an international level, require the cooperation and participation of all jurisdictions across these islands if the treaty is to function effectively. <BR /> <BR />For us in the North, endorsing the provisions is important and appropriate. Our island has naturally always depended on the sea.”
“That means shared responsibility, joint planning and a unified approach to policy development and delivery. If we are serious about reducing landfill use, tackling illegal dumping and improving recycling rates, waste policy must be embedded across government. The regulations will help to ensure that the environmental regulator is properly funded, but they also highlight the need for a coordinated, whole-of-government effort to deliver the ambitious environmental outcomes that our communities need and deserve. The measures are proportionate and necessary, and they are grounded in good practice. I am pleased to support them today.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in support of the draft regulations. They are a necessary and practical step towards ensuring that our waste management system is effective, properly resourced and aligned with modern environmental standards. Updating fees and charges is essential for maintaining strong regulatory oversight, including permitting compliance work and enforcement against those who flout the rules. Although the proposals are technical, they reflect a much wider challenge. Waste management, recycling, resource efficiency and environmental protection all sit across different areas of government, and no Department can tackle those issues on its own. <BR /> <BR />In order to make real progress, we need structured and sustained cross-departmental cooperation.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. What progress has he made on the issues that were identified at the 2024 banking round table?”
“Will the Minister plan for natural sustainable urban drainage such as the urban drainage transformation project to reduce spills into Belfast lough, thereby improving water quality?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, you previously indicated that you plan to bring a policy to the Executive on utilising public land for social housing. When will the details of that policy be made public?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, the report that your Department commissioned was unequivocal in showing that the surrender principle prevents new pubs from being set up. Evidence shows that two thirds of existing licences are being surrendered to off-licences rather than to bars. Do you accept that your do-nothing approach will do further damage to the night-time economy and will cause the number of bars in cities, towns and villages to continue to reduce while preventing entrepreneurs from setting up new bars and businesses?”
“Our people should not be locked out of their own history, and our children should not grow up being told that their identity is the footnote to someone else's brand. We want transparency, clarity and a commitment to reopen access to the South Cairn, not some day or when budgets appear, but with purpose, because heritage delayed is heritage denied. As a wise woman once said, we are women of south Armagh; born of granite, we endure. <BR /> <BR />We will keep speaking up for that place, the mountain and the story until the cairn, Cailleach Berra’s house, is reopened.”
“A community that risked itself to protect its faith and culture now stands behind a fence at the very site that it safeguarded. <BR /> <BR />That history of resistance, endurance and defiance is written into the stone of Gullion. It is who we are. Yet, despite its importance, tourism and cultural value and international archaeological significance, our council area does not even carry the name south Armagh. We sit inside the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, even though south Armagh makes up more than one third of the district. Slieve Gullion is routinely marketed under the Visit Mourne brand, despite its not being in the Mourne region. <BR /> <BR />Slieve Gullion is in south Armagh, which is a region of unique heritage, mythology, language, landscape and creative energy, and we deserve to be recognised, respected and invested in.”
“The Department for Communities closed the South Cairn due to safety concerns. No one disputes that safety matters, but it was closed without funding being in place to fix the issues, a clear plan or a timeline for reopening. That is the core of the problem. A monument that has survived invasion, weather, famine, plantation and conflict now has access to it stalled by bureaucracy. That tells us something that many in south Armagh already know all too well: too often, heritage is the first to be restricted and the last to be prioritised. The mountain is not geography; it is identity, memory and story. Tradition tells us that St Oliver Plunkett, Primate of All Ireland, once hid in that cairn, sheltered by the people of south Armagh, as the Crown hunted and sought to arrest him.”
“I rise to speak about something that matters deeply to the people of south Armagh. I will say it plainly so that there is no confusion: for the first time in over 6,000 years, the South Cairn on the summit of Slieve Gullion is closed. It is the highest surviving Neolithic passage tomb in Ireland, older than the Pyramids, aligned with the winter solstice and a place where families, walkers, tourists and schoolchildren have gathered for generations to witness sunlight travel through a stone chamber that was hand-built by our ancestors. However, this winter, for the first time in its history, they will meet a locked gate.”
“Does the Minister agree that a comprehensive veterinary agreement between the EU and the British Government would go a long way towards addressing the issue of veterinary medicine?”
“For those reasons, the amendment calls for greater on-farm investment, clarity on ammonia controls in planning and support for innovation. That is not only reasonable but essential. Rural businesses need certainty, the tools to adapt and a Department that is willing to champion their contribution to our shared prosperity. <BR /> <BR />I urge Members to support the amendment and to stand with our rural communities at this pivotal moment.”
“It must reject destructive measures, such as herd culls, and it must guard against carbon leakage, which would see local lower-emission produce being replaced with imports from higher-emission jurisdictions.”
“In that context and to address Mr Robbie Butler's comments, the Windsor framework offers a pragmatic way to manage new trading realities, avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland and, crucially, securing dual market access for our produce, giving it an economic advantage. <BR /> <BR />The Assembly must recognise farmers' legitimate concerns. As other Members have highlighted, we heard in the Agriculture Committee last week directly from the North of Ireland Veterinary Association about the issues on future access to veterinary medicines after the grace period, as well as the burden that farmers see of emerging regulatory requirements. Those cannot be ignored. Our path towards emissions reduction must be fair, evidence-based and protective of food security.”
“According to a recent analysis by DAERA, almost half — 46% — of businesses in rural areas more than an hour outside Belfast have engaged directly in agriculture, fishing and forestry. When combined with construction, those sectors account for 56% of rural enterprises. In 2024, agriculture alone represented 39% of rural businesses, with construction at 17%. Those figures demonstrate not only the dominance of agriculture in our rural economies but the extent to which rural livelihoods depend on stable, workable policy frameworks. <BR /> <BR />The amendment acknowledges the vital reality that the agri-food sector is inherently all-island in nature. Supply chains, veterinary systems, animal movement and food standards operate seamlessly across the border.”
“I will speak in support of our amendment, which seeks to strengthen the motion by grounding it firmly in the lived experiences of our rural communities and the challenges that they face. <BR /> <BR />The amendment rightly recognises that, while our farmers are the backbone of the North's economy, they operate in a landscape profoundly shaped by Brexit, as Ms Sian Mulholland discussed. Its destabilising impact on our agriculture and agri-food sector cannot be overstated. It has created new frictions, uncertainties and pressures on those who already work in the most demanding and essential of industries. That is especially important when we consider the economic profile of our rural areas.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“Are we good to go? <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for his statement. Should farmers vaccinate their herds and flocks immediately to protect them against bluetongue?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Can she provide detail on when the policy will come into effect? What arrangements are in place to advise people who are in the process of connecting to the grid?”
“Let us honour that by turning what we have heard into action — urgent, coordinated and sustained — until women and children across this island are safe.”
“When agencies fail to look at the overall pattern, perpetrators simply continue their abuse, often using the very agencies that are meant to protect victims as new tools of harassment. We have many dedicated police officers who do exceptional work, and I acknowledge them, but they must be supported with trauma-informed, pattern-focused training, so that victims know that they will be believed, understood and protected. As we mark 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, we must be honest that gender-based violence is a societal crisis. It recognises no border and requires an all-island response, shared data, shared learning and shared will. <BR /> <BR />The theme of the conference was turning pain into policy.”
“<BR /> <BR />Of course, there is also the response that victims receive when they first reach out for help, especially to the PSNI. Too often, the police respond to domestic abuse as single, isolated incidents, but coercive control is defined in the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act 2021 Act as a pattern of behaviour and a deliberate erosion of autonomy and safety.”
“The chronic lack of secure and affordable housing means that too many people are forced to leave their homes while the perpetrators remain undisturbed. That balance is not only unjust but dangerous. The barriers created by partition mean that women living on the border face inconsistent protections, fragmented services and gaps in justice between North and South. Abuse does not respect borders, but, too often, our systems still do. Last but by no means least, there was the urgent need to reform family courts. Outdated cultures and practices continue to allow courts to be used as weapons and tools for control, intimidation and re-traumatisation. The children's well-being must finally come first. Their voices must be heard, and their safety must be non-negotiable.”
“Last month, I had the privilege of taking part as a panellist in the 'Turning pain into policy: united against gender-based violence' conference in Limerick hosted by Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion. It brought together survivors, front-line workers, academics and policymakers from across the island, all of whom were united in the same mission: ending violence against women and girls. The testimonies that were shared were courageous, heartbreaking and painfully familiar. They were a reminder that ending violence against women and girls is not an abstract policy theme; that violence is lived trauma, affecting women and children in every county, every class and every community. Their voices must shape every decision that we make in the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />Throughout the discussion, several gaps came up time and again.”
“On behalf of the community of Newry and Armagh and the Assembly, I send them our love, strength and solidarity. They are not walking this journey alone: we, too, are walking it with them.”
“Their courage in turning personal hardship into purpose has already begun to change lives, with many people saying that they have checked themselves because of the sisters' story. <BR /> <BR />I know both ladies, not simply as brave fighters but as my constituents, rooted in their community, loved by their neighbours, families and friends, and now inspiring people far beyond Silverbridge. Today, let their journey be a call to action. Let us promote regular check-ups for women and men, regardless of age, ensure that healthcare services listen and respond quickly when concerns are raised and improve access to information, support and genetic testing for families who need it. <BR /> <BR />Aisling and Áine have shown extraordinary resilience, love and determination.”
“They have spoken openly about the comfort and strength that they find in each other, acknowledging that, while they would never wish this on the other, facing it side by side has helped them to cope with the whirlwind of diagnosis and treatment. Their closeness, their humour in dark moments and the way in which they lift each other up are a powerful testament to the bond that they share. <BR /> <BR />They have also been incredibly proactive in raising awareness, using their own experience to encourage self-checking at any age, challenging assumptions that breast cancer affects only older women and urging families to talk openly about medical history and the possibility of genetic risk.”
“I pay tribute to two extraordinary young women from Silverbridge in south Armagh. Sisters Aisling Muckian and Áine Mallie were given a breast cancer diagnosis weeks apart. In May, during a routine self-check, Aisling discovered a lump, and Áine found herself facing the same devastating news shortly afterwards. The women are each mothers of two beautiful young children and have undergone single mastectomies and lymph node clearances. Both are now bravely undergoing chemotherapy. <BR /> <BR />What has resonated so deeply with people across our community is the way in which the sisters are walking their journey together.”
“What measures are in place to safeguard security of supply for winter 2025?”
“I have a lot to get through. <BR /> <BR />It also duplicates the identification process that already exists. Workers already have to have a National Insurance number and valid work documentation. The scheme would add nothing but red tape. <BR /> <BR />The people of this island deserve better than gimmicks and political gestures. They deserve investment in health, education, jobs and their communities. This BritCard proposal disrespects our identities, wastes public money and risks dividing our workforce. This ludicrous proposal should be scrapped. If the British Government insist on proceeding, we in the North must be exempt. Sinn Féin will continue to stand for the rights of everyone here — Irish, British or otherwise — to live freely, equally and without bureaucratic or political interference in who we are.”
“If employers in the North are forced to administer a Brit ID system, that additional layer of red tape could deter them from hiring workers from the South. It sends entirely the wrong message. Rather than building cooperation and economic opportunity on an all-island basis, the scheme risks creating new divisions and new barriers.”
“How can Keir Starmer justify spending hundreds of millions on pointless bureaucracy when people are waiting months for hospital appointments and our community services are being cut? The British Government talk about fiscal responsibility and belt-tightening, yet they are willing to pour money down the drain on a vanity project that nobody asked for and nobody needs. <BR /> <BR />Secondly, the scheme risks creating barriers between workers on this island. Many people from the South, including members of my family and my constituents in south Armagh — my constituency borders County Monaghan and County Louth — cross the border every day for work. It is part of natural everyday living on this island.”
“Let me begin by saying that I am not a British citizen. I never have been, and I never will be. The proposal for a so-called BritCard is not just unnecessary but deeply offensive to the principles of the Good Friday Agreement, which guarantees the right of the people in the North to be Irish, British and, indeed, both. The scheme, by its very nature, assumes that we are all British, and that cannot and will not be accepted. <BR /> <BR />Beyond the fundamental issues of identity and equality, there are real practical and economic reasons why the proposal should be rejected. First, it is an outrageous waste of public money. The administration of the scheme will cost upwards of £400 million at a time when our health service is under immense pressure, our education system is crying out for resources and our working families face rising costs.”
“How will the independent EPA work collaboratively through cross-border mechanisms to address pollution and environmental challenges, given that pollution recognises no borders?”
“The motion calls for the establishment of an independent environmental protection agency. That should not be seen as a political trophy or a talking point. It is about responsibility, transparency and trust in ensuring that we leave behind an environment that is cleaner, safer and more resilient for the generations who will come after us.”
“At its core, this is about protecting the natural heritage that belongs to us all but doing so in a way that is practical, fair and sustainable. Regulation must be strong enough to protect our environment but flexible enough to support the livelihoods that depend on it.”
“They deserve a system that sets clear standards and ensures a level playing field for everyone. For too long, responsibility for environmental oversight has been passed from pillar to post between Departments, councils and agencies. That lack of joined-up action has left enforcement gaps wide enough for serious damages to occur. An independent EPA can bring the coherence and coordination that has been missing for too long. <BR /> <BR />It is also vital that the work be anchored in all-island cooperation. Environmental challenges do not stop at the border, and nor should our solutions. Shared catchments, shared coastlines and shared air quality demand shared strategies. We have an opportunity to build an agency that strengthens environmental protection in the North while aligning with best practice and partnerships across the island.”
“Pollution does not recognise borders; it spreads, accumulates and damages livelihoods and communities alike. That is why Sinn Féin believes that the North urgently needs an environmental protection model that is truly independent, properly resourced and empowered not only to respond when harm is done but to prevent it in the first place. We need a body that can hold polluters to account, whether that is large commercial operations or smaller ones, in a way that is fair, proportionate and consistent. <BR /> <BR />Our party has been engaging with local communities, farmers and businesses across the North. They are the people who care deeply about the environment and want to do the right thing. They are not looking for punishment; they are looking for clarity, support and fairness.”
“Sinn Féin supports the motion and the amendment. We have consistently and publicly called for the creation of an independent environmental protection agency. It is a commitment that has been at the heart of our approach for many years. The simple truth is this: without strong, independent environmental governance, there can be no real accountability, and, without accountability, there can be no public confidence. <BR /> <BR />The crisis in Lough Neagh has laid bare the consequences of years of weak enforcement, fragmented responsibility and political delay. This is not just about one lough or one river; it is about how we protect all of our shared environment: the air that we breathe, the land that we depend on and the biodiversity that sustains us.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your response. What steps are you taking to make positive changes to the rating system?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. We absolutely support the creation of an independent environmental protection agency. <BR /> <BR />Minister, the review recommends developing memorandums of understanding and formal collaboration on North/South and east-west bases to improve coherence and share best practice. What discussions has the Minister had with his counterparts in the South regarding a joint, cross-border funding mechanism to support the environmental governance reforms and new regulatory structures recommended in the review?”
“Time and again, women have had to fight for their healthcare to be taken seriously, be it in screening, menopause support, endometriosis services or access to fertility and maternity services. The forthcoming women's health strategy must deal with that head-on. The Minister must publish the reviews and explain the delay, but he must also rebuild confidence by showing that women's health will never again be an afterthought.”
“As articulated by my party colleague Linda Dillon, although there have been failings, the message must be absolutely clear: women should continue to attend their cervical screening appointments. The HPV test is now standard across Ireland. It is a more accurate and more reliable form of screening, and it saves lives. Yes, there have been serious issues with oversight and delays, but the test itself is safe and effective. You have a 100% chance of cancer not being detected if you do not go for your smear. That is the reality, and it is vital that this debate does not inadvertently discourage women from attending. <BR /> <BR />While the motion focuses, rightly, on the Southern Trust's failures, we need to see it as part of a broader pattern.”
“I begin by echoing the thanks already expressed to those who tabled the motion and, most importantly, to the Ladies with Letters campaigners. Their persistence and dignity have forced the system to face uncomfortable truths, and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude for that. As my colleagues have outlined, Sinn Féin supports both the motion and the amendment. Our focus throughout has been on truth, transparency and accountability, not just through inquiries but through the publication of the reviews that were promised months ago. Women are still waiting for the answers that they deserve. <BR /> <BR />I will use my time to focus on the public health side of the issue, reassurance and the need to rebuild confidence in the screening programme.”
“Minister, will the legislation on sustainable urban drainage systems help to improve water quality in our waterways?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Understandably, there is worry amongst local beekeepers. With that in mind, what specific engagement has DAERA had with local beekeepers to raise awareness and ensure that sightings are reported promptly?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Will she outline how the skills action plan will enhance all-island working?”