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 CCC has also examined our particular circumstances, topography and mix, and it identified that a fair target for Northern Ireland is an 82% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 so that we can play our part in the UK reaching net zero by 2050. <BR /> <BR />Have no doubt: an 82% reduction will be very challenging for all sectors, whether it be engineering, electricity or agriculture.”
“I thank the Minister for his contribution. It is important to have the facts; it is also important to have credible pathways and legislation that delivers more than fine words. I very clearly support clauses 1, 2 and 3 of the Bill. Those clauses set out the targets that have been deemed to be fair to Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The UK Climate Change Committee is an independent expert panel with a wide range of experts who cover different fields. They are renowned scientists in their fields, and they have set those targets. The UK CCC has accepted that Northern Ireland is coming late to the game.”
“<BR /> <BR />In 2016, Welsh legislation was introduced to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and, in February 2021, after five years of planning and actions and seeing how its process worked, it decided that it was able to update its targets, and it is now planning to achieve net zero by 2050. Wales has been at this for five years. It has particular circumstances that are different from ours. From its experience of working the system, it then decided to bring its targets forward. <BR /> <BR />Obviously, the UK has a climate change target to be neutral by 2050. <BR />Many countries talk about reducing emissions, but the UK has delivered significant reductions in emissions and set credible legislative pathways to achieve that.”
“<BR /> <BR />Scotland has had a Climate Change Act since 2009 and recently updated its targets to include a 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 90% by 2040. Scotland is well ahead of us. It is13 years ahead of us, and, on top of that, it has a particular land mix topography. It has hydroelectricity and extensive wind farms. It is able to set those ambitious targets, and it is now aiming for net zero by 2045. Every region of the UK is different, and the particular topography and circumstances around Scotland, with the thousands of acres of moorland that is not being farmed, creates different opportunities, particularly for forestry, which we do not have to the same extent.”
“I suspect that, were it not for that, we would not be standing here today debating a Bill that has been through the Executive and has had considerable thought and scrutiny given to it. I credit her to the extent that we are in the process of enacting legislation that will start to address that. <BR /> <BR />A Climate Change Act was passed at Westminster in November 2008. The UK set out a pathway to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. That was the first global legally binding climate change mitigation target set by any country. When I hear some of the critical comments that are being made by some about unambitious targets, I am quite surprised. The UK has led the world on the issue.”
“First, I declare that I own 25 acres of agricultural land that I let out. I also provide voluntary assistance to my parents with their small farming enterprise. That is like having a free gym membership. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Consideration Stage of the Northern Ireland Climate Change (No. 2) Bill. We are far behind other regions of the UK, and we have a long distance yet to travel to deliver our fair share of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. We need to ensure that we carry our fair share of that and contribute to global and UK net zero by 2050. <BR /> <BR />A Northern Ireland climate change Act is long overdue. I credit the Member who introduced the private Member's Bill for forcing the Department's hand.”
“The Member indicated that he believes that net zero can be achieved by 2050, but the scientific evidence presented indicates that that will mean a huge reduction in farmed animals that produce methane. How does he propose to deal with that? Will we virtually end a lot of farming in Northern Ireland, or is he proposing expensive carbon capture mechanisms?”
“Will the Member address the issue about net zero for Northern Ireland? The specific issue is that, if, instead of exporting food, we rely on imports by decimating our industry and local production, we will increase CO2 emissions, because they will be produced elsewhere. Our agriculture industry is the epitome of sustainability. It is at the top end of low emissions. Does the Member not accept that net zero for the agriculture sector will result in increased global emissions from that sector elsewhere? It will, perhaps, even result in more of the Amazon rainforest being cut down so that Brazil can rear an additional 10 million cattle for export to Europe.”
“As I have highlighted, Northern Ireland agri-food products have a lower greenhouse gas content or cause behind them than many food products elsewhere in the world. For example, the average emissions intensity of milk production in Northern Ireland is 1·279 CO2 per kilogram of energy corrected milk, whereas the average global factor is 2·5, which is twice that amount. By being hard on our farmers, you have no control over production elsewhere in the world, and world emissions will increase.”
“The Member said that the reductions must occur in Northern Ireland. What if the decisions taken in Northern Ireland result in increased emissions elsewhere and the net global output is increased? How do her proposals work in that scenario?”
“I will follow up that point by saying that it is vital that rail links be re-established. Minister, in your rail investment, are you prioritising rail routes that are relatively low-hanging fruit, which can be redeveloped at minimal cost, given that the rail bed is already in place?”
“The UK as a whole has a net zero target. The issue is that there is recognition by the Climate Change Committee and its scientific review that Northern Ireland provides food to other parts of the UK and, as such, contributes to climate change emissions. Does the Member not accept that putting additional burdens on local production will simply offshore our food and generate increased carbon outputs from areas that are not as climate-efficient as we are? That will be counterproductive. You will produce additional greenhouse gas emissions by offshoring our food production, whether it is to Australia, New Zealand or America, or even if it is produced in other parts of the United Kingdom.”
“First, the Minister will be able to find out, through his Department, whether some of the hospitality sector has not been given any support to date. It would be helpful if he could let us know if that is the case. <BR /> <BR />Secondly, will he ensure that hotels that may have been fully let to government agencies, for which they were providing food and accommodation, will not benefit from the scheme? They have no need to benefit from the scheme because they have been operating at full capacity.”
“I hope that that will be permitted and will not be blocked by the protocol. Does the Minister accept that there are significant cost pressures on the construction industry from the banning of red diesel? In addition, there will be increased isolation in the agriculture sector, and people will not be able to go on tractor runs or to ploughing matches using red diesel in their tanks. Have the First Minister and deputy First Minister made representation on that issue?”
“We have no choice, so I will support the draft order. As I said, it is regrettable that alternative arrangements were not considered by the Executive to ensure that better long-term funding arrangements were in place. I support the order but urge that long-term planning occur in future.”
“I, too, send my best wishes to the Minister. I hope that she has a speedy recovery. <BR /> <BR />On trolling, it is important that we, as an Assembly, condemn trolling, and, ultimately, take what action we can, and encourage action at a higher level if necessary, to unroot and stop that ongoing difficulty. <BR /> <BR />It is regrettable that we are coming near to the end of this Assembly term without having given any significant consideration to alternatives for Northern Ireland Water's funding. There are more efficient methods of funding. There are too many sewage treatment works. Investment is not occurring, and it is vital for our economy that it happens. It is vital that this draft order passes, otherwise we may face the difficulty of Northern Ireland Water not being able to operate.”
“The Minister has spoken of the importance of indicating early that money cannot be spent and returning it to the centre so that it can be reallocated, yet, in this monitoring round, over £400 million has been returned. Equally, the significant difficulties facing Northern Ireland Water have been well known for some time. In order for it to get to this monitoring round, the Minister had to give Northern Ireland Water an advance, and it and the Department had to forgo other expenditure. Why was such essential expenditure, which was known about, not funded earlier? Also, what discussions has he had with the Minister for the Economy about bringing forward something to help travel agencies and hotels, which were not included in earlier schemes?”
“Those are not my words; those are the words of the Planning Appeals Commission, which has provided an interim report. They are words with planning weight behind them, rather than a wish list. Those are the words of the planning experts. The challenge to all Members is this: how will you achieve planning permission — not a wish to do something — and actually deliver?”
“If you continue to insist on an entire route, you are in danger of getting nothing, but, worse than that, if you continue to get nothing, that means no investment and no road safety improvements along some deserving sections of the road. <BR /> <BR />There needs to be clarity. Investment needs to be allowed to begin along the road and road safety improvements allowed to occur. I urge everyone, including the Minister, to take the advice that has been given, and let us make sure that we can have significant investment along that route and significant road safety improvements. It is not good enough to put your head in the sand and say, "Build the whole road", because if you do that, you will probably end up with nothing and no planning permission.”
“I fear that, if we continue along the route of a single application, we will not be successful, and the road safety issues will continue. I urge everyone to get behind the guidance in the report and get on with making the investment. It has been highlighted that other issues are clearly more sustainable in law: for example, the higher traffic levels, particularly on the Omagh and Strabane bypasses. The need there is clear, justified and could, should there be a challenge, be defended. It is important to box clever.”
“Again, I ask Members to look carefully at the advice in the interim report from the Planning Appeals Commission. <BR /> <BR />One very obvious suggestion has been made. The report does not say "when", it states:”
“I am clearly saying that improvement and investment are needed, but I am highlighting that the approach to date has been problematic. The planning experts have indicated that the application represents over provision, and everyone should listen carefully to that huge warning bell, which will be a weakness in any planning application. Indeed, should such an application be approved, it would be wide open to judicial review, further ongoing delays and, potentially, more lives being lost. The over provision is on areas of the route where many compulsory purchases would have to occur, and that is a human rights issue. That, then, is another argument that would have to be sustained. Wanting to compulsorily take property away from someone for an over provision is a weakness that would lead to a challenge.”
“He also highlights that it will have a large adverse effect on the climate and landscape. We are, hopefully, in the process of approving a climate change Bill for Northern Ireland. That will make such "over provision" even more difficult.”
“We must not just talk about doing something; we must ensure that road safety improvements are delivered for the people who use it, that congestion is dealt with and that lives are not lost. What will we do to make sure that approval is given and that contractors can be appointed to start work on the ground? <BR /> <BR />I urge all Members to look very carefully at the interim report by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC), because it contains advice. The report clearly identifies a range of issues that will be problematic. The commissioner indicates:”
“Tragically, too many lives have been lost. There is a clear need for investment, improvement, upgrading and better road safety on that route. That is indisputable. To enable development, we have to overcome the procedures that are set out in law. Planning permission has to be agreed. Not only does it have to be approved, but it has to be approved in a manner that will sustain a legal challenge. To date, there has been a single application for a very complex route that has many complex issues, and that has left the application more open to challenge and continual delays. Frankly, it is ridiculous. The A5 has been talked about for 15 or 16 years, and there is still no planning permission. We all need to look at what can be done to ensure that something happens.”
“I declare an interest as a member of Carrickfergus road safety committee. <BR /> <BR />I take road safety seriously. There have been too many serious injuries and sad fatalities along the A5 route over the past number of years.”
“Previous regional road network plans have highlighted the York Street junction as a key failing. Will the Minister advise us of when we will learn of the new plans and concept for it? How will the congestion and pollution that occur there be addressed?”
“I urge the Executive, in particular the Economy Minister, to look at what compensation can be put together to support the businesses that will be adversely affected.”
“<BR /> <BR />At Halloween, I visited my son in London. Last Christmas, he did not make it home; lockdown hit one day before he was due to fly. Thankfully, this year, with certification, I was able to visit him. I was able to show my certification and get into a show with him. There was some normality. I hope that we all take reasonable actions so that, this year, families will once again be able to meet safely. <BR /> <BR />If any alteration is needed, that can be done. As I see it, we have no time and no choice. I support the Minister and the Executive, who approved these mitigations so that we do not have to face business closures and the inevitable difficulty that would follow.”
“You can be double vaccinated and, like me, reach the booster stage and get your certification that way. There are other methods for those who object to vaccination or perhaps have a medical reason for not being vaccinated. We have to support those people in using alternative methods. <BR /> <BR />Everyone can find a method to get certification, so let us protect ourselves, our families and communities. Let us not find reasons for doing nothing and, potentially, reaching the scenario that we faced last year. I urge everyone to do the responsible thing. Do the basics: wash your hands; wear masks; and try to socially distance as much as you can. Get vaccinated and get that protection, and then, if we want to go out, let us use our certification to protect ourselves and those with whom we may be in close contact.”
“That is not good for our community or for anyone. Let us take mitigating action. Let us fight this disease and have some normality. <BR /> <BR />It is important that we act together as a community. It is equally important that the Executive act in a coordinated manner, not only in bringing in sensible measures and compensation but in providing enforcement. I wish that this legislation could have been brought in more quickly and that this debate had taken place earlier. However, processes have to be undertaken, sadly, and legislation has to be finalised. <BR /> <BR />We have reached that stage now. What do we do? Do we put it off and decide to wait for another two or three weeks? We do not have that choice. The mixing time and risk factors are in the here and now. Alternatives have been given.”
“Common sense would provide an understanding of the risks that we all face and why the modellers are indicating to Health Ministers that action is needed. What are we to do? Are we to ignore professional medical and scientific advice, or do we find a reason for doing nothing? I am not saying that what is being proposed is perfect. If it needs to be changed, I am sure that the Health Minister, under the regulations, can quickly adapt. That had to happen previously, but it is not good enough to do nothing. <BR /> <BR />Some people propose that we ignore SAGE advice. Some propose ignoring decisions that have already been taken in England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland. Their experts have recognised that some form of certification is required to give protection and to prevent the alternative: lockdown. I do not want to go there.”
“Traditionally, we all meet our friends and colleagues at festive events and then we go home and mix with our family members. Look at what happened last year when there was an exponential growth in infections after Christmas. The further risk factor that we have this year is omicron, which we are all still learning about. It appears that the infection transmits very easily and that it is not as serious in most people. However, we can expect large numbers of infections, and with that, we can expect large numbers to eventually end up in hospital. So, it is important that all of that is managed.”
“We must avoid an exponential growth in infections, and we must ensure that we can have a degree of normality. <BR /> <BR />Again, let us remember what happened last November. It was stop, go and stop again. Many people argued that we did not need restrictions, and that was the worst scenario for businesses. They stocked up, and then they were shut down again. It is important that we work together with businesses on the mitigations and that all Executive colleagues play their part. Why are we having this debate when, frankly, there is little alternative? We should be having a debate about the support that we are going to give to those businesses that will be adversely affected. <BR /> <BR />Christmas is a risk factor.”
“<BR /> <BR />Our Chief Scientific Adviser and our Chief Medical Officer have advised that they need further help to stop another COVID wave. Let us remember that, over the past year, the SAGE modellers have been fairly accurate. They have told the UK regional Governments when they have needed to take action, and we have seen that that has generally worked and brought things under control. <BR /> <BR />Let us look at what happened a few weeks ago at a disco at The Elk in Toomebridge. Some 200 young people were infected in a single evening and took that home to each of their families, and perhaps even mixed at school. Undoubtedly, the venue's staff were also put at risk, and no business can survive when its staff become infected and have to take time off work.”
“Members have paid tribute today to NHS doctors, nurses and support staff who have all been under intolerable pressure since the outbreak of COVID. We now have vaccination, which is giving a degree of protection, and those who are vaccinated and contract the virus are more likely to have a relatively minor infection. However, that does not apply to all: some will require hospitalisation, and a further proportion will require ICU. With that, fewer operations will be able to occur in our hospitals and our waiting lists will grow. Ambulance attendance times will increase if we have exponential growth in infections. With those increased call times, there will be delays in meeting patients and delays will mount at our EDs. That is very serious; it is not just an academic debate. Look at what happened last January.”
“How many have read that? Why is it important? If we do not flatten the curve, the NHS will not cope. The alternative is exponential growth. Our hospitals risk failure at that point. This is very serious. Measures to flatten the curve, as others have indicated — and which I fully support — include the washing of hands, social distancing, wearing a mask and vaccination, but other options include ceasing non-essential activity and staying at home. Certification is an alternative to those latter, drastic options. Let us allow our businesses to stay open and allow a degree of activity to mix with others in a safe environment. Let us allow hospitality to stay open. <BR /> <BR />There is almost an ignorance or a lack of understanding that doing nothing risks us going back to the very serious position that we were in a year ago.”
“In preparation for this debate, I took a look at the Northern Ireland COVID-19 daily dashboard. I was very struck by the strategy at the front of the document. It highlights:”
“I call the Minister for Communities to conclude and wind up the debate on the motion.”
“It has been six years since the Abbey Community College opened its doors following the amalgamation of Monkstown Community School and Newtownabbey Community College. Does the Minister agree that amalgamations that follow the area plan, which is designed to improve educational outcomes, particularly for young people who have not been reaching their full attainment, should be better supported and encouraged and not experience such delays? Will she ensure that there will not be any further delays and that, in the future, Carrickfergus Academy will not take such a long time to get to that stage?”
“Minister, there have been some superspreading events, which have endangered staff and patrons. Over 200 young people contracted COVID at a disco in The Elk in Toomebridge and took it home to their families. Does the Minister accept that, in such high-risk venues, COVID certificates or proof of a negative lateral flow test reduce the likelihood of the spread of COVID and, ultimately, the pressures on our hospitals? What role does the Health and Safety Executive play in monitoring and enforcing the regulations?”
“What are the resource and capital implications of the 10-year plan when it comes to your budget, and, more importantly, what would be the additional cost, if the plan, which is described as "ambitious", were accelerated even further to be achieved by 2045?”
“Both Ministers — you and your opposite number in the Republic — have signed off on and given their commitment to reaching a net zero carbon target by 2050. It is described as:”
“Minister, your statement indicates that you have ratified Waterways Ireland's:”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. He mentioned that there were discussions on the COVID pandemic. The different regions use a variety of methods to limit the spread of the disease, yet, a few days before the meeting, there was a mass outbreak of COVID in Northern Ireland, in which almost 200 young people contracted it. At the meeting, was there any discussion on what methods can be used to protect our young people so that they can continue to go out, meet and socialise safely?”
“Does the Member agree that, although it is very welcome that new chargers are being put in place, it is vital also to have maintenance contracts in place to ensure that chargers will be replaced when needed rather than be left defunct and for those who have electric vehicles to have confidence that chargers will work?”
“I support the report's recommendations and ask others to do likewise.”
“When you build a new apartment block or a new building, that infrastructure should be put in place. That will be cheaper in the long run and ensure lower carbon inputs when building that infrastructure. It is vital that we move forward together and that all Departments play their part.”
“We must make sure that reliable infrastructure is in place if we are to support our community as it makes the transformation to electric-powered vehicles, and we are clearly not there at present. There is a long way to go. <BR /> <BR />I was in a village north of Inverness during the summer. It was a small village of, I estimate, 500 people, and there were four charging points in the public car park. I visited a garage, and there were charging points there. I was shocked. Our infrastructure is so far behind. It is vital that not only the Infrastructure Department but other Departments move. I have been posing questions about building regulations in particular. With new developments, why do we not build charging points? Building control regulations have been slow to change, but that is the most efficient way to do this.”
“There is clearly a long way to go; indeed, the lack of charging points and broken charging points are highlighted in the survey. That has transferred into range anxiety for many of those who already own an electric-charged car and has concerned those who may be considering switching. Comments include:”