Roy Beggs
East Antrim · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I declare an interest as owner of 25 acres of agricultural land; also, my parents run a small agricultural business. <BR /> <BR />There is a shortage of fertiliser, and the Minister has referred to the present difficulties in Ukraine that are contributing to that. That shortage exists even at the exorbitant cost of £1,000 per ton.”
“of public bodies in Northern Ireland. That is vital in order to reassure the public that money is being spent appropriately. That is to be done independently.”
“There has been a very close working relationship and a close partnership. Where issues needed highlighted and where the Assembly, through its scrutiny mechanisms, needed to dig deeper to get better value and better accountability, that occurred.”
“<BR /> <BR />I also want to reflect on the close working relationship that there has been between the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Northern Ireland Audit Office, which the C&AG oversees and manages, and the Assembly, particularly the Public Accounts Committee.”
“As we consider this motion to nominate a new Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland, it is important that we reflect on the importance that the role has in any democracy. The C&AG in Northern Ireland is the head of the Northern Ireland Audit Office.”
“P&O has brutally cast its workforce aside in a Dickensian fashion. There was no consultation or notice, and the company delivered a live message by video link. Will the Minister clarify whether the P&O redundancy announcement is covered by maritime law, Northern Ireland employment law or GB employment law?”
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“The Minister just mentioned value for money. Will he ensure that when the Procurement Board meets it recognises that big is not always beautiful and that that sometimes limits competition and results in significant subcontracting, where the control is lost? For example, painting a classroom can cost two or three times more than getting a local painter.”
“The outworkings of Brexit and the Northern Ireland protocol are slowly becoming apparent to Northern Ireland consumers and businesses. Many retailers are already indicating that checks on food products will add to costs and delays and that some products will not even be placed on shelves from 1 January. Has the deputy First Minister, along with the First Minister, vigorously lobbied the EU to minimise delays on our goods moving to GB and to minimise the bureaucracy, costs, delays and inconvenience for Northern Ireland consumers?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. It refers to Foras na Gaeilge supporting some 400 organisations annually ; 23 separate schemes; 170 groups under the schemes for young people; 50 groups supporting festivals; and 18 drama companies. Can the Minister provide a detailed breakdown showing how all that funding is used and indicate the numbers of organisations, schemes, groups supporting young people, groups supporting festivals and drama companies in the Ulster-Scots community as well those in the Irish language community?”
“Does the Member accept that the reluctance to buy electric cars may be more to do with the initial funding that is required to buy them but that there is emerging evidence that the running costs over a number of years can be cheaper? However, with a 300-mile radius, that is perhaps more than adequate for most people in their daily commute.”
“Already, many other countries are taking a step ahead of us. China, in particular, is investing heavily in that, and I urge Northern Ireland to catch up and create its own energy hub for hydrogen.”
“It is important that we learn lessons and that we deviate from schemes that are applicable elsewhere with great caution. We must make sure that we build in contingency plans from the start in primary legislation, so that any rates that are set can be quickly adapted if that is needed. <BR /> <BR />Transport is another important area. Yes, the number of electric cars is increasing, as the Prime Minister has just indicated. However, equally, as others said, we need to get into hydrogen. A hydrogen hub needs to be created for Northern Ireland to support our buses and HGVs. For heavy goods vehicles that travel longer distances, hydrogen seems to be the only way to go.”
“Look at the quality of the environment in which individuals will live. Damp should be a thing of the past. There are thermostats to regulate heat to reduce bills further, so it is possible to improve heating standards. <BR /> <BR />Bespoke schemes have also been mentioned. I am conscious that Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom — I dare say that it also applies if you take in the Republic of Ireland — with some of the lowest levels of government support to market new energy schemes. I suspect that that is a sad reflection of our past in terms of the renewable heat incentive (RHI) scheme and other forms of renewable energy; indeed, the Northern Ireland Audit Office reported recently that some turbine owners were being paid up to £100,000 a year above what they needed.”
“It is most efficient to build in that way from the beginning rather than having to come back in five or 10 years' time and add further insulation. I urge that we look at our new builds to see whether we need to increase that efficiency from the start. It is difficult to retrofit some houses, and it can certainly be expensive. However, we need to look at retrofitting insulation to bring about improvements. <BR /> <BR />Like others, I welcome the change in the Housing Executive. That may enable more houses to be built in a much more efficient way and to a higher standard, for the benefit of tenants. We have to recognise that there may be a slightly higher rent in the new houses because they are built to a higher standard, but look at the total cost. What will the energy bill be?”
“<BR /> <BR />There are two sides to reducing our hydrocarbons. Yes, it is about replacing hydrocarbons with renewable energy, but it should also be about reducing energy demand in the first place. I would like to have seen more references to the green new deal scheme. Interestingly, on Friday, I visited a new development that is destined for social housing. It has triple glazing — not double glazing — and a heat ventilation recovery system. All that is built to a high standard. I suspect that the energy loads for those new tenants will be very low. By designing our houses in that way from the start, we can considerably reduce our energy demands. <BR /> <BR />Members mentioned retrofitting. We need to look at building control standards for our new buildings. Do we need to increase those?”
“I find this to be a useful report, although I have to say that it tends to gather information rather than make clear recommendations. I would prefer to have seen clearer recommendations. The motion mentions a wish for ambitious targets. I did not get that in the report. I will illustrate what I am talking about. On the available options, the report mentions that some want 70% renewable energy by 2030, some want 80% by 2030, some want 100% by 2035, some want net zero by 2040, and others want 100% renewable as soon as possible. I do not know what the Committee is recommending. It just reports a series of figures. It would be better if the policy could be further developed with clearer targets. I recognise that this is a cross-cutting issue, so it is not just for the Economy Committee.”
“Many music and drama tutors operate from home, are usually self-employed and have been unable to benefit from the furlough scheme. I am aware of a highly successful local arts company that established itself as a company to minimise its tax liability. It has had no income since February. Will the new scheme to which the Minister refers include those who have been excluded to date, or will they, perhaps, have to rely on schemes that the Finance Minister might bring out?”
“Restrictions are put in place not only to help save lives but to protect non-COVID activity within the NHS. Minister, can you confirm that, as a result of the surge plan, non-COVID elected surgery has continued at a much higher level than previously, and that the public can play their part in ensuring that our Ambulance Service and accident and emergency units do not become overwhelmed so that, irrespective of what someone is suffering from, they can receive treatment from our hospital services?”
“Will the explain why new developments which would replace old buildings, thereby reducing emissions and improving the well-being of such sensitive areas, are being refused?”
“We clearly do need to improve biodiversity, but we must make sure that, when we bring proposals, they actually reduce emissions and start to work. There is much to be commended in 'Making Ammonia Visible', the 2007 report of the expert working group led by John Gilliland. We need to communicate with and educate our farmers and encourage mitigation, such as the trailing hose or trailing shoe, which can reduce ammonia emissions by 30% and 70% respectively. It is possible to improve air quality and water quality and reduce ammonia emissions and improve farm efficiency. Let us take everybody with us and give them the knowledge, the information and the financial support to enable them to do so. I support the amendment.”
“Clearly, there is a disproportionate scale of assessment required, and it needs to be downscaled, depending on the size of the application. We need to avoid consultants where possible so that undue costs are not added for hard-working families who toil long hours, often for little reward. <BR /> <BR />I will turn now to the 7·5-kilometres rule. I recently learned that farmers in Islandmagee, when completing their ammonia assessment, have to reference the Maidens lighthouse ecosystem, which is many miles offshore. Are we for real? How is a farm in Islandmagee going to have an impact on the Maidens lighthouse? I actually did not believe it when I first heard it until it was verified to me, but that is what our current system requires.”
“We have an overly bureaucratic planning process. Whilst the regulations may be appropriate for larger applications — I do not know how they missed out the AD units because they are major, multimillion-pound applications — they are often disproportionate. What am I talking about? I am aware of a constituent who wanted to build a shed for six cows and six calves. He put his application in and then discovered that he had to have his ammonia assessment. He did not have a clue about it, as most would not, and started to find out how to get that completed. He was quoted almost £2,000 to get an ammonia assessment done for six cows and calves. He will probably have to sell one of his cows and calves to get his ammonia assessment done.”
“In fact, that policy was resulting in virtually no planning applications being permitted.”
“I am not at all surprised to learn that. We need to be very careful that government and politicians do not propose policies that have the opposite effect to what is intended. We need to be very careful to think them through so that we bring about improvements to the environment as well as to the well-being of our farmers. <BR /> <BR />Shared environmental services also, on its own, imposed guidance that is much stricter than that of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. How was that allowed to happen? What happened? Of course, eventually, it was overturned by a court. The Ulster Farmers' Union took that body to court and it backed down at that stage. It is a nonsense that a body can almost, of its own right, change policy and effect significant costs on the farming community.”
“Let me illustrate how the planning system, which is supposed to be improving the environment, has gone wrong, in my opinion, and why I could not support the main motion. First, as others have indicated, the replacement of existing livestock sheds is being treated by shared environmental services and NIEA as new developments. Even if a new building will improve welfare standards and reduce emissions, it may well be rejected. That is crazy. If we want to reduce ammonia emissions, we should allow farmers to —.”
“That would be wrong. It may even involve cutting down more rainforests to feed such a system. We need to be very careful that we do not create perverse outcomes. <BR /> <BR />Clearly, there is need for a review of the planning system. I note that that is mentioned in the amendment, but a similar view perhaps needs to go in a different direction.”
“beef be bought that has been produced with lower welfare standards and, perhaps, even higher ammonia emissions? Would cows be fed a high-protein diet, where we would have no control over that?”
“A moratorium on planning approvals for projects that would increase ammonia emissions would be counterproductive. In the long term, would more imported”
“First, I would like to declare that I have a small agricultural holding, which is let, and that my parents have a relatively small family farm; more of a grate-and-wheelbarrow than large-feeder-wagon operation, I have to say. I rise on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party to indicate its support for the amendment standing in the name of Philip McGuigan, Declan McAleer and others. The motion suggests a nuclear option. Earlier, the proposer justified it because a major flaw has happened with AD units, as has been indicated in the Audit Office report. I am surprised that, if that is where the problem is, the motion does not focus on that area. Its proposal would affect every farm in Northern Ireland, would affect the entire rural community, and may actually have an perverse effect on ammonia levels.”
“The Member has highlighted planning failures with regard to anaerobic digesters. If only a very specific grouping is causing the problem, why is she suggesting a moratorium on all planning applications?”
“Earlier, reference was made to hospitals working at 106%, and that can have implications for ambulance handover. My question is: does the Minister recognise that there is a need for the Executive to come together to ensure that our Ambulance Service, and our entire health service, can operate and treat whoever arrives at our accident and emergency units, irrespective of their needs?”
“Last week, the Westminster Government decided to bring forward the ban on new fossil fuel vehicles to 2030. That will bring a considerable reduction in emissions. What consideration has been given to the creation of a hydrogen hub in Northern Ireland? The emission from a hydrogen vehicle is water, which is much preferable to what is used at present.”
“I support such a programme, which empowers the local community to represent their interests and enables them to deal with issues. However, does the Minister accept that a separated prison regime helps to perpetuate societal issues around paramilitaries and serves only to give them a warped credibility when they are in prison and when they leave prison and continue to try to exert influence?”
“I thank the Minister for his update and for his detailed response on COVID and additional mental health pressures. Can he provide an update on the mental health and suicide prevention group?”
“Equally, many others are involved in its supply chains, and there is a knock-on effect for those businesses. <BR /> <BR />I see that time rolls on, so I will draw my comments to a close. Regrettably, there have already been significant job losses in manufacturing, so it is important that we protect the remaining jobs. I hope that the Assembly will back our motion to do so. I hope that those who oppose it have the grace to do so quietly and allow the motion to be passed. It is important that we support the manufacturing industry. I hope that Members will support the motion.”
“A number of Members highlighted aviation in particular. It has certainly been one of our blue-ribbon sectors and has brought high-value employment and jobs. Many supporting companies feed into its supply chains, and its products are made to a very high standard. There is, generally, good value, good money and good employment. It is important that that continues into the future. As Steve suggested, perhaps the defence industry should look at how it could sustain local aviation, so that, when the cycle moves round and demand grows again, those skills and jobs are still there and can respond. It is important that that is the case. <BR /> <BR />Members made other valid points that were worthy of mention. There are hundreds of thousands of jobs directly in manufacturing.”
“Admittedly, Ministers were not in place for much of that period, but for probably about a year of it they were. The rest of the time, it was civil servants. It is disappointing that we still need to speed up planning decisions, that manufacturing is still not the centre of policy and that we still need a strategy to encourage investment.”
“Caoimhe Archibald, Gary Middleton, Gordon Dunne and Pat Catney all highlighted the fragility that was there, but they also highlighted the flexibility that the manufacturing industry showed and the entrepreneurial spirit that is still there. They spoke about how many of the businesses turned to meeting the urgent health needs of the country by providing vital services and producing vital products to help us battle COVID. There is much that can be done, and I welcome the fact that industry was flexible and able to improve. <BR /> <BR />Other Members made a range of comments during the debate. Steve Aiken highlighted his disappointment at the fact that many of the valid points that were raised three years ago are still valid today and have not been addressed.”
“Given the recent loss of manufacturing jobs and the pressures on the industry, I was surprised to hear that. I hope, however, that all other Members will recognise the importance of the manufacturing industry and support the motion. <BR /> <BR />Sinead McLaughlin and Gordon Dunne highlighted the importance of city deals and how they might encourage innovation. Indeed, the Minister highlighted the importance of innovation, R&D and the new innovation vouchers that are available. It is important that there be research and development and an improvement in what our companies produce in order that we can sustain employment in the long term. <BR /> <BR />A number of Members mentioned the fragility of the supply chain during COVID.”
“To get you used to it, some of the new terminology includes "goods vehicle movement service" (GVMS), "customs declaration service" (CDS), "trader support service" (TSS), and "customs handling of import and export freight" (CHIEF). That is what businesses have to learn to live with, and the sooner that we make their life easier, the better. I hope that all sides will stop grandstanding and lobby the UK Government and the EU for a reasonable accommodation so that our economy can continue here and fewer businesses will experience difficulties. <BR /> <BR />I now turn to comments made by Members during the debate. I welcome the general and widespread recognition expressed from all sides of the importance of the manufacturing industry. I noted at the end the Minister voicing her opposition to a manufacturing strategy.”
“I hope that Members will take the issue seriously and stop grandstanding about the argument over whether Brexit was right or wrong. It is coming on 1 January, and we have to learn to live with it. <BR /> <BR />In case some Members have not seen it, I draw their attention to a report out just last week from the National Audit Office titled 'The UK border: preparedness for the end of the transition period'. There are some very concerning comments in it about how we are really not prepared for it. The report states that implementing the protocol is very high risk because of the scale and changes required and the time available. It adds:”
“Businesses have experienced disruption to their supply base. Just today, I was talking to a local retailer, and he indicated that there are still difficulties in sourcing some supplies. It is strange how, if it is missing, even one small component can shut down a production line. That particularly adversely affects the car industry, with its lean manufacturing and just-in-time manufacturing. It is important that everyone stay afloat and be aware of the difficulties and that delays can cost. <BR /> <BR />In reference to that, Steve Aiken and Stewart Dickson mentioned the dangers of Brexit. Equally, delays in the movement of goods either coming into Northern Ireland or being exported to our main market, whether that be Great Britain or other parts of the EU, will significantly adversely affect our businesses.”
“I thank the Health and Safety Executive for the guidance it gave during that period, allowing significantly safer working practices to be adopted.”
“<BR /> <BR />I acknowledge that there has been, thankfully, a reprieve for many who might otherwise have experienced redundancy, with the Chancellor announcing just recently a more flexible and continuing furlough scheme. It is regrettable that it came so very late, and some may even have lost their jobs, although I hope that the opportunity to engage in the scheme will not have been lost. It is important that we keep work teams together in the hope that we can get through this and that manufacturing, and business generally, can continue. <BR /> <BR />There has been huge pressure on our businesses during COVID. Many businesses had to shut down until appropriate mitigation could be put in to protect workers. That has resulted in a loss of efficiency, in some instances, but it has allowed the businesses to continue.”
“At one stage, there were 400 jobs there but, in the end, the 270 remaining jobs were recently announced as losses or transfers to its other plant. There were also losses at Michelin, JTI and Wrightbus. Thankfully, a business is growing again from the ashes of Wrightbus, and I hope that it prospers. <BR /> <BR />All of that shows me that there is a need for a manufacturing strategy to help sustain and grow businesses. We need to address what government can do to assist. The motion talks about looking at what we can do in the short term, as well as what might happen in the longer term. It also indicates the importance of manufacturing and the pressures that are on it during this time of COVID.”
“Local manufacturing has a vital role to play. As others have indicated, there has been growth in the service sector and in digital technology, but we should not forget about the importance of manufacturing strategies and the manufacturing sector. <BR /> <BR />Diversity brings about increased security. We should not put all our eggs in one basket. My East Antrim constituency has suffered particularly, along with the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area, with the loss of a significant number of manufacturing jobs over the past years. Many Members mentioned Caterpillar, where approximately 2,000 jobs have been lost over the past decade. Schrader Electronics has closed its base in Carrickfergus.”
“Some 10 years ago, Caterpillar employed almost 3,000 people in Northern Ireland, but, sadly, that number has declined significantly. We were previously told that the smaller units, which can be mass-produced, were moving to China but that the bespoke larger units were remaining in Larne in Northern Ireland. Given this significant announcement, can the Minister advise what support will be given to those workers who may lose their job? She met the management on Friday, but what commitment has it given to remaining in Northern Ireland, given that previous commitments have already been significantly changed?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. There is considerable research in the UK about holiday hunger programmes providing not only food but constructive physical and educational activity for disadvantaged children, particularly during summer and holiday periods. Does the Minister have any plans to continue to develop and provide such constructive activity to raise the educational attainment of disadvantaged young people in Northern Ireland? In particular, in Carrickfergus, in my East Antrim constituency, the YMCA has been involved in providing such a scheme.”
“I declare an interest as a governor of Roddensvale School. I join the Minister in showing my appreciation of the staff and teachers of all our schools in helping our children. <BR /> <BR />The Chancellor has recently extended the furlough scheme, at least until March 2021. Given that recognition that the challenges of COVID-19 will extend until at least that time, what additional moneys does the Minister see coming to schools to assist with this challenge in keeping children safe and teachers protected as they carry out this vital work?”
“The Minister has referred to how, already, some supermarkets are indicating that they may withdraw from aspects of the Northern Ireland food retailing market, but this goes much wider than that. Our garden centres are indicating difficulties in supplies. We have also learned of potato producers having difficulty in accessing seed potatoes, which come mainly from Scotland. Of course, this will affect virtually every aspect of movement of goods across the Irish Sea unless reasonable accommodation is made. What are the Minister and the First Minister and deputy First Minister actually doing to minimise disruption to our economy?”
“One area that the Minister mentioned as being covered by the Act is abandoned vehicles, and vehicles being worked on in the street etc. In a number of locations in my constituency, that is problematic. Local neighbourhoods are blighted by such businesses working on footpaths and on the street, leaving oil and abandoned vehicles that cause difficulties for other resident who want to park. The current legislation is not working, and I ask the Minister to review that particular aspect of it.”
“The National Police Chiefs' Council recommends engage, explain, encourage and, ultimately, enforce. Does the Minister accept that, in failing to chair the COVID enforcement working group, she has failed to demonstrate leadership?”
“In her statement, the Minister indicated that there was discussion about the implications for transport North/South and, indeed, east-west. There is considerable concern from hauliers, distributors and the Food and Drink Association in particular about the implications of Brexit and the arrangements in the protocol on the supply of products to our supermarket shelves. My question to the Minister is this: has there been recognition in the Republic of Ireland of the damaging implication that overly bureaucratic procedures will have for supplies to our supermarket shelves? The impact of that may be reciprocated on suppliers in the Republic of Ireland moving goods into GB. Will both parties seek pragmatic solutions that are light-touch and that enable goods to move easily east-west and west-east?”
“I am pleased that motorcycle tests will continue, given that the instructor follows in another vehicle. I welcome that. The Minister indicated that there will be no tests for this four-week period. Likewise, instructors will not be able to train students. What compensation package will be available to them? They do not have a rateable property and may not have fitted into many of the other schemes that have been presented to date.”
“— and whether we will ensure that we make better use of our money in future?”
“Can the Minister advise whether that money is going entirely, or significantly, to new roads and that we are failing to maintain our roads as we should and are creating problems with potential accidents and claims due to the poor state of our roads —”