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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“It conducted a survey on the use of electric and ultra-low-emission vehicles (ULEVs) on behalf of the Committee. That survey highlighted a huge gulf between climate change rhetoric and what is being delivered in practical terms in our community. Northern Ireland has the lowest proportion of electric charging points in the UK, but, worse than that, those charging points are unreliable. When I look at the figures, I see that Scotland has 32 charging points per 100,000 people, England has 22, Wales has 17 and Northern Ireland has 16. <BR /> <BR />Rapid chargers are essential to people who may need to top up their power quickly while travelling: Scotland has 7·5 per 100,000 people, England has 3·5, Wales has 1·8 and Northern Ireland has one per 100,000.”
“Given the rurality of Northern Ireland, the relevance of the private car is that it is essential to many people living in the countryside, enabling them to do their work or to get to their work. Due to our limited public transport, there is a need for a mode of transport that everyone can use when they need it. There is also a need to update our transport strategy to refocus on a range of issues that can reduce our carbon output, such as walking, cycling, greater use of public transport and the decarbonisation of public transport, which has commenced with the introduction of electric and hydrogen-powered buses. We need to ensure, however, that private motorists can also contribute to reducing carbon output when necessary. <BR /> <BR />I express my appreciation to the Assembly's Research and Information Service (RaISe).”
“I rise as the Ulster Unionist infrastructure spokesman to indicate my support for the report from the Committee on decarbonising Northern Ireland's road transport. <BR /> <BR />There has been much debate about greenhouse gas emission from agriculture, which is estimated to account for 26%, but our emissions come from many areas, including the home, energy supply, other land use and business. The second-largest area of greenhouse gas emissions, however, is transport. It was timely and appropriate for the Committee to investigate that area and to produce the report. <BR /> <BR />As part of the UK Government's commitment to reaching net zero by 2050 or earlier, they have determined that petrol and diesel cars will not be produced after 2030 and that production of hybrid cars will finish in 2035.”
“Ewe lambs have been stranded in Scotland, there have been restrictions on movements to agricultural shows, and there has been much talk of easing and removing the restrictions. How many live animals have come into Northern Ireland from GB, and how many have gone from Northern Ireland to GB? When will all the new regulations be printed, so that we understand what is being proposed?”
“They then risk being fined for failure to notify under the Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) regulations. That is a major problem that needs to be addressed by the DVA or by the Minister to enable members of the public to get their MOT and get their car on the road.”
“The issue has been known about for some time. The first question is this: why have sufficient additional recruits not been put in place to ensure that testing can occur? Secondly, given the failure to carry out the required quantity of tests, why are temporary exemption certificates not utilised to take off some of the pressure? Extending an MOT certificate by even three months would create additional capacity until the problem with staffing levels can be resolved and the number of tests increased to meet demand. <BR /> <BR />The problem causes huge stress for drivers, fearing that their car may be taken off the road. Yes, they can drive and be insured without an MOT, provided that they have a valid appointment, but they cannot get their car taxed, and there is no way around that.”
“The problem needs to be addressed by the management or by the Minister.”
“Hardworking MOT testers are carrying out additional shifts and working evenings and Saturdays, but are still unable to meet demand. Meanwhile, it is increasingly difficult for members of the public to get their vehicles on the road. The figures show that, during October, there was an increase to some 73,000 in the number of vehicles that were tested, and I welcome that. However, between January and November 2019, between 75,000 and 85,000 vehicles were tested each month. Therefore, we are still operating at a lower level than in any of those 11 months of 2019.”
“I wish to take the opportunity to highlight once more the difficulty for drivers in getting their cars an MOT. I declare an interest because, like most drivers in Northern Ireland, my car is required to pass the MOT. The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) NI is the monopoly provider in Northern Ireland. It is not providing adequate test opportunities for its customers. I am concerned that the MOT waiting list grew by some 36,000 vehicles during September, and a further 22,000 vehicles in October. In fact, if someone wants to go online and try to book a slot for their vehicle, they may have to wait some 10 weeks. There is the odd cancellation in the meantime. <BR /> <BR />It is disappointing that staffing levels have not enabled testing capacity to return to the pre-COVID testing capacity of 2019.”
“There are financial pressures on Health, as was indicated earlier, Education and many Departments. We also have two climate change Bills before us, the outcome of which will be additional pressures in terms of supporting change or mitigations for those who have been adversely affected. Does the Minister accept that there is a need to record the cost of what we are doing and to ensure that a budget is set aside to enable our movement towards UK net zero carbon?”
“There is an extremely low number of publicly available electric charging points. The Electric Vehicle Association Northern Ireland has expressed concern about their unreliability; indeed, 75% of people say that they are not satisfied. Does the Minister accept that, to have a sustainable model, it is important that maintenance is built and that there are incentives to ensure not only that they are all working but that, when a car is fully charged, the customer will move on and leave the space free for the next driver to make use of the service?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. In some post-primary schools, there can be three, four or even five classroom assistants standing at the back of a classroom waiting to intervene should the need arise. EA officials, EA board members and, indeed, the permanent secretary have all acknowledged that that is not a good use of public funds. When will all principals be given flexibility with their SEN funding so that they can employ additional SEN teachers and classroom assistants for one-to-one learning and small-group work and thus improve educational outcomes for pupils with special educational needs?”
“Sorry, I was not aware that I was listed to speak.”
“I welcome the statement by the First Minister and deputy First Minister indicating that they will adopt the recommendations of the panel. Recommendation 5 is on redress and reparation. It speaks of engagement with non-state institutions, organisations and agencies in order to establish a potential financial contribution. Those non-state organisations and institutions abused women, they inflicted a form of modern slavery long after it was banned and they profited from that slavery. What process will be put in place so that there will be significantly appropriate reparation from those non-state institutions and organisations for what occurred?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Indeed, the disruption goes way beyond Belfast, with diversions happening elsewhere. It has even affected bus routes in Monkstown and Whiteabbey, which are in my constituency. Drivers and passengers have been traumatised, double-decker buses to the value of £200,000 each have been destroyed and the travelling public have had their lives disrupted. Is the Minister able to advise when normal bus services will return, with drivers being respected by all for the essential service that they provide to the local communities that they serve?”
“GDPR and contractual arrangements require GPs, trust employees and pharmacists to handle confidential personal information with great care. Will the Minister confirm that, each time anyone accesses anyone's personal records, there will be details of who accessed them and, no doubt, what time that access occurred? Will he also confirm that anyone who breached that confidential arrangement would commit a serious offence that could have implications for their employment?”
“The discharge licence speaks of 24,000 cubic metres per day, which is difficult to visualise. It has been estimated that that is equivalent to 10 20-ton loads of rock salt being deposited at that spot every hour for the next eight to nine years. How can the Minister be sure that that will not be detrimental to the sensitive ecosystem and, in particular, that solid deposits will not come with the concentrated brine that will gather in that area?”
“Glenarm forest is a popular local asset, and the scheme will improve and enhance it to the benefit of locals and, indeed, those from further afield. I welcome the accreditation of the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy scheme. Many have been involved in the project, including the Glenarm Castle estate, councils, community groups and Seaview Integrated Primary School. Can the Minister advise what role his Department played? Can he give any pointers to others who might want to consider such a scheme for their local forest?”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank the civil servants who helped some of those people, but my question to the Minister is: will you assure me that no one will be disadvantaged because of any administrative failings and that not meeting the time periods that were given will not be held against constituents, as that was not because of the constituents' difficulty but because they were not provided with links that worked?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. There have been delays with the scheme, and there has been considerable frustration for some in trying to overcome the administrative hurdles to applying. I think of my constituents who received an email saying that they had seven days to provide information. They provided information, and they received another email saying that they had three days to provide information, with links that did not work and no telephone number or email address. Thankfully, we were able to point them the right way.”
“— since the temporary exemption certificates came in. Minister, why do you not use some temporary exemption certificates, particularly for newer vehicles, to take pressure off your staff and hard-pressed workers?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. I recognise that DVA staff are working exceptionally hard and are working overtime in the evenings and at weekends. However, some drivers continue to have to hunt daily for an earlier test. They are unable to tax their car without an MOT, and, if they drive without one, they risk breaking the law and being fined. They may even be fined for a failure to provide a statutory off road notification (SORN). <BR /> <BR />Mechanical failure has resulted in a very small number of accidents, and there has been no statistical difference —”
“Does the Member accept that a climate change Bill, whether that is the Climate Change Bill or the Climate Change (No. 2) Bill, will have a bearing on everything that happens in Northern Ireland, including on where homes are built?”
“I suspect that this will be one of the areas affected by that, because of the effect of building additional houses in the countryside and the effect of the additional transport required to build those houses. I suspect that that will be an issue going forward. It would be helpful if the Minister and officials briefed us all on that so that Members can understand that there will be balance in everything that they do going forward, be it building houses in the countryside or seeking climate change legislation.”
“If there are not suitable sites, there is a need to be flexible going forward. Again, there was provision for that in the past, and I hope that there will be provision for flexibility going forward. Equally, a site serviced via a busy farmyard is a practical health and safety issue. New homes may mean new families and young people, so it is important that sites that do not have those risk factors can be identified for those who wish to live in the countryside. <BR /> <BR />I suspect that the issue will come back again. I particularly highlight the issue of climate change. Many advocate speedy movement towards climate change legislation.”
“There is a web link, but that did not work for me. I do not know whether the items have been removed. Again, if there are issues there, I wish to know what they are. It is important that we all understand and get the balance the right between the need to sustain communities and the need to protect the natural environment. <BR /> <BR />We have all seen in the past some rural roads developed to the point where they almost look like streetscapes. There has to be balance. There is a need for that, but yet there is also a need for flexibility. In particular, as others mentioned, it is important that there is flexibility on genuine health and safety issues such as slurry tanks and middens. Those should be taken into consideration so that those applying for sites are not forced to look at sites adjacent to them.”
“Sorry, my mistake. That was the number of planning approvals. There have been just over 3,500 planning approvals each year. <BR /> <BR />It is important to get an understanding of the problem and why it arose. I am aware that, under previous planning regulations, there were huge variations between council areas. I have picked up from colleagues that there are differences in how councils have interpreted even the existing policy. If that is an issue, it would be good to learn of it. It would be much better if issues were shared with everyone so that we could have a greater understanding of what was happening. <BR /> <BR />In preparation for today's discussion, I had a look at the planning advice note that was drawn up. I notice that there was reference in it to an:”
“I noted, in the advice given to the Committee, an interesting graph from the Rural Community Network that seemed to indicate that there has been a fairly stable number of planning applications over the last five years. It is estimated that there have been just over 3,500 per year. I wish to know what the problem is and whether the Minister is aware of that. It is important that there is discussion of this. It appears that there has been a stable number of planning applications over the last five-year period.”
“Nevertheless, in bringing about changes, it is important that there is dialogue, understanding and consultation. I was not aware of that happening. It is helpful if it happens before any changes are made. In particular, if someone applied for planning permission in their area under the previous understanding, they will have invested in architects and site assessments and surveys. A sudden change would potentially leave all that lost. <BR /> <BR />PPS 21 was developed to balance the need for new homes in the countryside with ending unregulated development in some areas, where you could see a new home in almost every field. It is important that there is a balance.”
“I declare an interest as the owner of 25 acres of agricultural land and farm buildings, and I provide assistance on my mum and dad's farm. <BR /> <BR />I reinforce the view that we need to ensure that we have sustainable development in the countryside. What does that mean? It means that we have to protect the natural environment but get a balance by allowing rural communities — schools, churches and the entire community — to be maintained. There is a balance in all of that. <BR /> <BR />The decision of the Minister to withdraw the planning advice note of August prior to the debate indicates that the she has been listening. I thank her for that; perhaps she has recognised the concern in the community. Some of the difficulties have perhaps been caused by how some interpreted the legislation and guidance.”
“It is also important that there is an effective GP out-of-hours service to prevent people from presenting at accident and emergency centres. Will the Minister provide an update on the efforts to stabilise our GP out-of-hours service?”
“At last week's Infrastructure Committee meeting, a major local haulier indicated that east-west payloads on trailers were at only 50% to 60% of the trailer capacity and that, frequently, journeys required an extra overnight stop because of the bureaucracy associated with the protocol. What assessment has been made of the additional cost to business in Northern Ireland of moving goods from GB? Furthermore, how many additional HGV drivers are required to meet the demands of the transport industry?”
“Those routes will be of benefit primarily to local people by encouraging exercise and enabling them to access the green, outdoor environment.”
“They have to be developed sensitively, yet there is much potential. They will improve the air quality in town centres and enable people to exercise more and improve their physical and mental health. <BR /> <BR />In general, Minister, I encourage you to continue to invest. I welcome the investment that you have committed to date on new greenways and active travel routes. We need to step up the investment for long-term benefit. There has to be a long-term vision and a plan that is implemented for the benefit of everyone. There are benefits to commuters, potential benefits to the leisure market, and for tourism. An increasing feature that I have seen over the years is more cyclists touring Northern Ireland. If we create safe routes for them, we will encourage even more to come to this location.”
“There is also a proposal for an on-road route to Randalstown from Ballymena, but there are also new, exciting greenways that seem to largely follow the old narrow-gauge rail network that existed in the north Antrim area. There is a proposed greenway from Ballymena, Kells, Ballynashee — an area that I know well — onto Ballynure, which would link up to a new proposed route from Larne to Ballyclare. There is another proposed greenway in north Antrim from Broughshane on to Martinstown, Carrigan and on to Cushendall, which is in my East Antrim constituency. <BR /> <BR />There is much potential, and it is important to develop such a master plan. We have to develop and prioritise sensitively yet also have a long-term vision. In the plan, there are town centre development plans, particularly for Ballymena.”
“However, I am more pleased that my three children, who are now adults, have all gone back to cycling and are seeing benefits from that. <BR /> <BR />I will highlight the proposed cycling routes that exist in Mid and East Antrim Borough Council's 'Cycling Routes Masterplan'. The master plan contains significant proposals that will link North Antrim to neighbouring areas, including South Antrim and my East Antrim constituency. There is an existing cycle route in North Antrim. The route goes north from Ballymena towards Broughshane, and it goes on to Glenarm before linking to the A2 Coast Road. That is an on-road cycle route, and preferably we have to develop off-road routes.”
“First, I pass on the apologies of my colleague Robin Swann, the Health Minister, who is, unfortunately, unable to be here. I know that he recognises the benefits that come from greenways and active travel. <BR /> <BR />Exercise improves our health, and the more greenways and travel routes that exist, the more that we will be encouraged to walk and cycle. It can also help to improve the environment by reducing car usage. Walking and cycling improves our mental health as well as our physical health. It is a well-known fact that being outdoors, often in a green environment, will improve mental health. I can see many benefits from that, and I thank Mr McGuigan for bringing this topic to the House. I am pleased to say that I still cycle a little.”
“On climate change, the fact that 25% of fresh water leaks from our pipes means that we have to process water unnecessarily, so we need investment to prevent that. Northern Ireland Water is one of the biggest electricity users in Northern Ireland. It has a carbon footprint, and it is imperative that we invest in that infrastructure. Does the Member agree?”
“Will the Member accept that, over the years, inadequate money has been given to the Department for Infrastructure to enable Northern Ireland Water to put in that infrastructure? The budgets were grossly incorrect.”
“Would such a model provide better value for money for the public-sector money that is going into it? I do not know, but I am asking that question. We need to look at those models. <BR /> <BR />The current model is not working. There are planning restrictions in significant areas of my constituency, such as Larne and Greenisland. Social housing in particular is being held back because of the additional costs. The private sector can choose to invest in additional, bespoke sewage treatment systems, but that option is frequently not available for social housing. We need to look at what we are doing and provide better value for money in all that we do.”
“We have been advised that the ability to borrow on the value of its assets would increase its effectiveness. <BR /> <BR />We need to talk about solutions, not just problems. Yes, city deal might help to a degree, but we need to change the set-up of Northern Ireland Water to make it drive down costs and give better value so that it is more effective, and more cost-effective for us, the customers of Northern Ireland Water. What sort of solution am I therefore suggesting? We need to look seriously at Welsh Water, which was created on a not-for-shareholder dividend basis to make more effective use of the money that it receives. I would argue that we need to consider a mutual model. That potential solution is aside from the issue of water charges.”
“What happens if a contract is delayed, and the money has to be returned? There are still practical problems. It is not just about the funding being provided but about having a model of Northern Ireland Water that can maximise the benefit achieved from the funding that it receives. Northern Ireland Water is a Go-co. It was set up to become a stand-alone body eventually, but it has remained like a non-departmental body. At present, Northern Ireland Water must conform to company accounting but also to public-sector accounting, which results in extra bureaucracy and cost. Northern Ireland Water plans on an annual basis, which reduces its flexibility. It does not have the flexibility to borrow independently and is subject to public-sector borrowing restrictions.”
“Yes, a significant amount of the initial target of £199 million for 2021-22 was provided. I welcome that, but we all have to be aware that significant further moneys will be needed in subsequent years: over double that amount. Capital investment is rising to some £477 million in 2025-26, with the vast majority of that to be spent on waste water treatment to address environmental concerns. <BR /> <BR />There are choices to be made. Will the Executive guarantee the final determination of funding that is stipulated in PC21 over other capital funding? That might at least enable some longer-term planning by Northern Ireland Water. At present, it can plan only one year ahead, or whatever guarantees the Executive give them. <BR /> <BR />The problem of limited end-year flexibility will remain.”
“Indeed, the contribution from the Member for Foyle seemed to ignore his party's role. His party has had deputy First Ministers and Finance Ministers, and it put in place the three-year gap and caused difficulties. Indeed, his Finance Minister was a Regional Development Minister in the past. His party has had a responsibility for where we are today. <BR /> <BR />Successive Budgets have underfunded Northern Ireland Water, diverting limited public funds to other priorities that they have decided on. Funding water is not optional; it is essential. The absence of adequate funding now affects our economy, with private-sector investment being held back on occasions. Northern Ireland Water needs significantly increased capital funding to meet its PC21 targets, which are set by the Utility Regulator, and to protect the public and our environment.”
“I support the motion. We have a crisis in our water and waste water industry, and we now see the outworkings of that failure to invest in planning restrictions in many areas and, on occasion, waste water spilling onto our streets and into our rivers as a result of our aged sewerage network and an inadequate capacity to deal with the pressures of today and the extremes of weather that are being experienced. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the motion, but I find it rather strange. You would think that it was being proposed by someone whose party had been in opposition for the last 14 years and had had no involvement in where we are today. In fact, the proposer's party has been the biggest party and the lead party in the Northern Ireland Executive for 14 years, playing a key role in setting Budgets annually.”
“The shortage of skilled labour is creating a potential difficulty for animal welfare. Has the Minister been made aware of any concerns, particularly from our pig and poultry farmers, who have limited space capacity? How urgent is the situation and how is it going to be addressed in the short and long term? Has he been in touch with the Minister for the Economy?”
“The Member talked about a fungus, but can he explain why on earth the flow of medicines into Northern Ireland from our GB suppliers needs to be disrupted by the protocol and the bureaucracy involved?”
“We need practical outworkings to deal with the situation. I support our amendment.”
“That is what the protocol is doing. I would like someone from the Alliance Party, in particular, to answer that. That party may suffer that particular aspect more than others when many of its voters recognise the difficulties of getting some of their Christmas fare. Increasingly, some of its members are becoming more European and nationalist, rather than recognising what their constituents need. <BR /> <BR />I want to talk about medicines in particular. On 1 January 2022, 300 medicines will potentially be discontinued. What are we to do? We need a practical solution. It is not economic for businesses to supply cheap medicines made in the UK to Northern Ireland. Will we just pay for more expensive medicines from elsewhere, reduce the limited money for our health service and force people to change their medicines?”
“There is a mechanism to change and do away with the ridiculous parts of the protocol, but that is not the route that has been taken to date. You can stick to the full implementation of the protocol and end up having nothing, because there is a danger that you will simply cost your constituents, cost the economy and cost the body politic in Northern Ireland, while ignoring the particular special circumstances in Northern Ireland. I do not hear any regard being taken of that. The at-risk issue is not being taken into consideration. <BR /> <BR />If containerloads of TVs were being sneaked through the Republic and into Europe to create unfair competition, I could understand. We would need to stop that and control it; not a problem. Why, however, do we have to stop Marks and Spencer bringing their Christmas fare into their local supermarkets?”