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?”
The complete record
Every one of 1,772 lines we hold for Roy Beggs, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 6 of 36.
“I agree with the Principal Deputy Speaker. I wish to highlight the fact that, when you decide to prioritise flagship projects, whether the A5 or the Narrow Water bridge, for which there is no green book justification, you make a choice that means money cannot be spent elsewhere. <BR /> <BR />I will turn to an area with an obvious need for financial infrastructure investment: Northern Ireland Water. As others have said, the funding of Northern Ireland Water is unstable. There were, I think, up to 160 waste water treatment works that were not up to standard. As a result, development in the surrounding areas has been blighted, but there is no long-term fix. I am pleased that additional funds have been provided in the Budget to enable some more issues to be addressed, but that is key to improving our economy.”
“Now it is paying £75 million, and the cost of the scheme is up to £1.2 billion. It is not paying £600 million; it is paying £75 million. Aside from being environmentally indefensible, it is economically indefensible, and it is tapping funds from other areas.”
“How can you justify building a road when there is a perfectly good road south of Ballygawley that was improved during the most recent major upgrade, when a huge roundabout was built? That will all be bypassed as per the A5 scheme. <BR /> <BR />I come back to the point that there are choices to be made when you spend capital moneys. When you choose to spend them where they are not needed, they are not available to spend in other areas where they are needed. That is why I asked about our process of appraising and deciding how we do that and why I expressed my concern about prioritising some schemes that are not even funded under NDNA. <BR /> <BR />Originally, the Republic of Ireland was to pay for 50% of the A5 project. The project was going to cost £800 million, and the Republic of Ireland was going to pay £400 million.”
“I understand that, to date, over £80 million has been spent on developing the A5, and the Planning Appeals Commissioner, in an interim report, recently gave a very clear steer that sections of it cannot be justified and indicated that we should prioritise other sections, which, to my mind should include the bypasses around Omagh and Strabane. <BR /> <BR />If the Executive continually insist on going for their flagship project in its entirety, they are likely to deliver nothing because it is unjustifiable, and they will waste even more funds in consultancy fees to deliver nothing. At some point, a judicial review will come along, and it may be found that the project cannot be justified. How can you justify building a dual carriageway over a bog when only an estimated 6,000 vehicles a day pass through the area?”
“The Member is right to say that significant investment is needed to improve the infrastructure in parts of the west. It is vital that that happens there just as it happens in other places. <BR /> <BR />I am concerned that political decisions are being made to unnecessarily build capital infrastructure with our limited funds, which is going towards destroying the environment through considerable climate change activity, so that you can have your dual carriageway that is not needed. It is worse than that.”
“I understand that a basic dual carriageway would normally be developed to be capable of taking between 11,000 and 39,000 vehicles a day. A basic road takes up to 13,000 vehicles a day. I was shocked that, in answer to a question that I posed, the Minister for Infrastructure indicated that there will be fewer than 6,000 vehicles a day on the A5 at the Tully Bog area. Here we have an environmentally sensitive area — we are meant to be committing to climate change and all that — and we are committing to building a dual carriageway where there is no need for a dual carriageway. Is it any surprise? That is just one example. There is also the example of an area of Aughnacloy where — I have not got the exact figure for this — fewer than 8,000 vehicles a day pass through, yet there is a plan to build a new road.”
“There are some very significant sums in the Budget for investment in capital infrastructure, but I am concerned that politics, rather than common sense and proper appraisal, is driving many decisions. A particular issue that is continually raised is Executive flagship projects. These were often created as the result of a political deal rather than because they should have been prioritised. Many came from NDNA, which was unfunded, so I can only assume that, in order to deliver some of those unfunded projects, many other projects that would have been higher in any appraisal are being overlooked. There are choices when we set a Budget, and I am concerned about the process of how we make our choices. <BR /> <BR />You will not be surprised that I come to the A5.”
“It is clear that we need an independent set of eyes to look at how we spend the public's money. This is the public's money. I am encouraged that others are advocating for a fiscal council to look at the wider expenditure and perhaps how we might have to raise some funds. There is also a need for an infrastructure commission to assess how we prioritise and spend that money. Clearly, we are not spending enough on very basic maintenance. That issue needs to be addressed. <BR /> <BR />I ask the Minister this question about all capital expenditure in this Budget, but I am thinking particularly of infrastructure: where is our green book process? Where is the appraisal system to identify whether a sizeable capital project is appropriate?”
“I agree with the Member, but I get the sense that the Principal Deputy Speaker does not want me to go there, so I will move on.”
“It is clear that we are not committing enough to our capital budget for road resurfacing. I ask the Minister to take that on board: how do we maintain our infrastructure throughout all departments rather than concentrating on a shiny new road where someone gets to cut a ribbon? It is important that we maintain all our infrastructure.”
“I bow to you, Principal Deputy Speaker; I have obviously overstepped that area. <BR /> <BR />In the Department for Infrastructure's budget, the overall sum looks very healthy. There is certainly a very significant increase in capital funding. However, one of the biggest issues that is experienced by my constituents is potholes and the poor state of our roads. As I indicated earlier, potholes can be repaired by two means: from the resource budget or the capital budget. If you resurface an entire road, that is long-term maintenance, which comes from the capital budget. If it is an emergency repair, it comes from the resource budget. It is more expensive to do it that way, and it is a temporary repair. Generally, a pothole on our rural roads has to be 50 millimetres deep before any action has to be taken.”
“I hear Members indicating, yet again, their discontent with the budgeting process. It is important that we improve the process. I remind the Minister that, when he was Chair of the Finance Committee, he said that he would improve the process. A Sinn Féin Minister has been in post for at least two full years and certainly for three Budget processes, and I do not see the improvement. Please take that point and move forward. <BR /> <BR />In the early years of the Assembly, there would have been an initial discussion around September, some detailed publications around October, but the Budget had to be finished in December so that all non-departmental public bodies would subsequently have their budgets well in advance of April.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. For the Member's information, there are two aspects to the infrastructure budget. There is the resource side, which is used to fix potholes and which is under-resourced. There is a lack of staff, which we certainly found recently when we were trying to address unadopted roads. There is a lack of resource funding. There is also capital funding. There is a very healthy capital bank account to expend on new roads but not to maintain them once they are built. Our problem is that we are not maintaining our roads.”
“Will there be a review of all new roads development in order to ensure that it is justified by the developing traffic levels and to enable additional moneys to be directed towards green infrastructure in our towns and cities so that people can walk and cycle to their work more often?”
“With that change in working practice, there has been a reduction in commuting levels and pressure on our roads.”
“Does the Member agree that it would be reasonable to have a higher bond rate for developers with a proven track record of abandoning property and not putting in place appropriate road and sewerage infrastructure?”
“I urge the Minister to outline how we can resolve such a situation.”
“It says that it can do nothing at present. I have lobbied the Minister. I have lobbied the former permanent secretary. Translink cannot lay on a public transport route to all those houses because of the missing section of spine road. That is a major failing in our planning system. It needs to be addressed. We need a solution. The public are suffering. We are encouraging the use of private cars rather than public transport. Additional emissions are —.”
“I speak of the Larne West Distributor, a major spine road on which hundreds and hundreds of houses have been built. Somehow, however, a very small portion, perhaps 100 square metres, has been auctioned off. Despite millions of pounds being spent on building a spine road, there is a missing link. Somehow, instead of the owner of that piece of land having a liability, because the land is not linked to any of the other land that he once owned, it has become a ransom strip. We have a Mexican stand-off, and everyone in the area is suffering because of failures in the planning system and the Department to ensure that the development-led road was built. That is definitely a failing, and I ask the Minister how it will be addressed. Do we need a regeneration Bill to give authority to the local council to invest?”
“We were told, however, that there are approximately 20 members of staff for 3,470 live road bond applications, but the numbers inspecting and following up have been halved, in line with the change in the budget allocated to the Department. There is a real issue there. If we want to chase up some of the historical failings, investment has to go into trying to resolve the issue and drawing down the bonds, because it takes time to identify where the failings occurred. <BR /> <BR />I commend the officials who work with me in parts of Carrickfergus and at Lindara in Larne, where, on another occasion, a developer went bust. There were road and water bonds in place, however, so work was corrected and the roads finished. <BR /> <BR />I am aware of a significant failing in the planning system.”
“I have come across that issue in my constituency. A group of houses in Prospect in Carrickfergus suffered from that; in fact, the roads were not adopted until 18 years after they were built, which is remarkable. Thankfully, there was some clever thinking, with ramps being put in to reduce speed on those roads. That then reduced the sight lines, which enabled the roads to be adopted. Yes, problems can happen, and the earlier that homeowners move on such issues, the better, before walls etc are built and perhaps cause problems. <BR /> <BR />As was indicated, there are particular pressures on the Department to follow up on some historical failings, but it seems to be saying that things have got better.”
“As I indicated, however, if a solicitor fails to pick that up for some historical purchase, that represents a failure on the part of that solicitor to carry out due diligence. On a number of occasions, I have advised constituents to write to their solicitor seeking appropriate compensation. If they are unsuccessful, I have advised them to complain to the Law Society.”
“I am pleased that, recently, in front of the Committee, a departmental official advised us:”
“<BR /> <BR />In preparing for the debate, I reviewed the then Regional Development Committee's inquiry recommendations in 2012, and it was clear that many of the failings related to a lack of understanding from purchasers and, I dare say, solicitors around adequate road and sewer bonds to protect the purchaser should something go wrong.”
“I declare an interest as I live on an unadopted shared laneway. I wish to make it clear that I have no expectation that the Department will re-tarmac the roadway to improve access to my property. That would be unrealistic. Similarly, we have to recognise that the Department faces the same financial pressures for all the hundreds of kilometres of private laneways in Northern Ireland. The Department is struggling to maintain our existing roads network. That is the reality of the current funding arrangement, and it is important that we do not create unrealistic expectations.”
“I fully agree with the Member on that. In particular, has the Member encouraged her constituents to complain to their solicitor and, if they do not get a response, to complain to the Law Society, because the legal system that charges people for conveyancing should have done due diligence and, in my opinion, has some liability?”
“I welcome the news that you have engaged with that potential new funding, particularly given the fact that the devolved Scottish Government have not invested significantly in the A75 and A77. Rather than individual Ministers grandstanding, I ask the Executive to engage in trying to improve that strategic transport network route to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland; indeed, that route also serves the north of England. I ask the Minister to ensure that there is active engagement and that additional moneys are drawn down where possible.”
“<BR /> <BR />Each body of water has to be independently inspected by a suitably qualified civil engineer, but, in some instances, there are disputes about who owns the structure. The Department needs the powers to progress things in order to protect the public. Why, oh, why has it taken so long? I, too, wish that the junior Minister would explain that, because it amounts to a dereliction of duty in the Executive Office that that transfer did not happen years ago. I support the transfer. It is vital that the omission is corrected so that the public can be reassured, the Department can have the powers to bring about the necessary improvements where defects are uncovered, public safety and the safety of property are ensured, and options are available to those who wish to extend their planning applications.”
“The reorganisation happened in 2016. So, first, there was the period when the Assembly sat until January 2017, when the correction could have occurred. Then, we had three years with no Assembly, and another 15 months has passed since it was re-established. The Infrastructure Committee was briefed on the issue, and we had to write to the Executive Office, such were our concerns when we were briefed on it. We have to give credit to the officials in the Department for Infrastructure, who are working with responsible owners in order to make progress and bring about improvements to those structures or, if necessary, to reduce the water levels so as to provide reassurance and safety.”
“That could have a devastating effect below it. <BR /> <BR />Others have spoken of the delay in correcting the omission. It is actually more than 16 months.”
“I, too, wish to speak regarding the transfer of the powers associated with the Reservoirs Act (Northern Ireland) 2015. This has been a very serious admission that, when we had the reorganisation of Departments in Northern Ireland, an error was made and the full powers were not passed to enable the Reservoirs Act to be fully enacted. <BR /> <BR />As others have said, that has had significant implications for those who have sought planning applications below those reservoirs. In addition, it is not just about planning applications. It is about the protection of property, and possibly even lives. If anyone has any doubt about what we are talking about, we are talking about areas of water with more than 10,000 cubic metres of water. That is 10,000 tons that could be unleashed if there is an unsafe structure.”
“I declare an interest as a committee member of Horizon Sure Start and a governor of Roddensvale School. As others have done, I welcome the report and its recognition of the importance of early years education and aspirations. However, many disadvantaged areas coincide with weak community infrastructure and high levels of absenteeism from school. What role does the Minister see for other Departments in increasing the educational aspirations of young people, their parents and the wider community so that more of our young people reach their potential?”
“Does the Member agree that, unless the Minister and the Department prioritise such amalgamations appropriately, very few schools will come forward to seek an amalgamation in future?”
“Does the Member agree that, with sport being an important aspect of the school's curriculum, particularly in its sixth form development and links with Larne Football Club, it is scandalous that there are not adequate changing places there for the important work that it is carrying out?”
“I urge the Minister to ensure that there is appropriate funding and an equality of funding so that all our young people can reach their full potential.”
“There has been great success there, with pupil numbers increasing in the last few years from 430 to over 700. The school is not fit for purpose. My dad actually started working at Larne High School in 1957, and some of the premises are still being used. Facilities from 1957 are still being used, perhaps with a lick of paint and that is about the height of it. It is no longer fit for purpose. <BR /> <BR />I have to say that there is a question of equality. I am very happy that Ulidia has had an announcement of a new build, but its school was built 20 years ago — was it 20 years ago? — and significant parts are being knocked down. We are knocking down a 20-year-old school, yet we are forcing others to continue to use 70-year-old premises.”
“<BR /> <BR />Turning to Carrickfergus College, which is operating on that split-site scenario, there are significant time factors resulting from teachers and staff having to work across two sites. That is costing the public money. It is costing the school funds as well. It is not good management. We have made the point previously to the Minister that the funding arrangements should, again, be reflecting the priorities in the area plan and good value for money in how public funding is spent. I am concerned that, whilst we have not yet had an announcement of our new build to allow all those children to amalgamate in a new build on one of their sites, we are wasting money and failing our young people. I urge the Minister to ensure that that issue is progressed. <BR /> <BR />Equally, Larne High School is no longer adequate.”
“The remaining two schools in Islandmagee, Kilcoan and Mullaghdubh, are operating on split sites. Again, that causes problems for teaching. It causes problems for families, picking up perhaps two young people of different ages having dropped them off in the morning. It causes complications. <BR /> <BR />As was alluded to, in the post-primary sector, there are extra costs associated with this. It is vital that, if the Department is encouraging school amalgamation, it ensures that the budget is appropriate and that young people and teachers are not caught out and suffer as a result. The budget should be appropriate to operate in such conditions. It is not only that. Significant priority should be given to schools that agree to amalgamate.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mr Lyons mentioned Islandmagee Primary School. It really has been a saga. It was in 2003 that the then three schools agreed to amalgamate. In 2007, the site was bought on the Low Road, and then it sat for years and years with changes in policies. I am pleased that that has now progressed through planning. I would be interested if the Minister could update us on the tendering for the actual building, when we can expect the foundations to be laid, when we can expect completion and when the community can expect to have a facility for which they have yearned for so long.”
“I hope that we will be able to maintain that and keep on top of the dreadful pandemic that we have faced. <BR /> <BR />As I said, we have had a lack of investment over the years. Many of the school buildings are really quite tired and no longer fit for purpose. The standard specification in terms of space in a classroom, lighting levels and lots of things no longer applies. Yet many of our schools have an excellent reputation. There is demand for the schools. I think of Greenisland Primary School and Whiteabbey Primary School. Those are older premises, but there is still huge demand for those schools because of the quality of the teaching that occurs. However, if we are to give the teachers the full tools and the young people the full benefits and opportunities, we should provide the right facilities for them.”
“I hope that he, having viewed the condition of some of our schools, recognises that there is a need to ensure that there is suitable accommodation in which our teachers and young people are able to thrive and reach their full potential. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to the teaching staff and other support staff in our schools for their work over the past year and a little bit longer. It has been a challenging time for everyone. They have had to learn new skills to continue to support young people through remote learning and adapt to new technology. They have done their best to try to support young people. I, like most people who are associated with schools in East Antrim, am really pleased that we have been able to return to more normal school activity.”
“I thank Gordon Lyons for bringing forward this Adjournment topic. It is right that the difficulties that exist in the school estate in East Antrim are aired. I hope that they will be addressed subsequently. <BR /> <BR />Young people in East Antrim over the years have not benefited to the same extent as other constituencies have in terms of the funding of new educational premises. I am not entirely sure why. Over the past 20 years, there have been repeated announcements of new builds, but very few have been in East Antrim. It may be the fact that the constituency has an older, settled community and has not expanded to the extent of requiring a new build. Clearly, however, there has been a dearth of investment, and there is a need to correct that. Perhaps the Minister will allude to what might come in the future.”
“Is the Member aware that it predates even that date and that the school originated from a proposal to merge three schools?”
“The Minister has referred to the fact that there can be a wide range of sources of pollution, including the Water Service. Given that our sewerage system is already at capacity in many areas, will the Minister advise whether he has been involved in any discussions at Executive level to solve the impasse with the Water Service so that pollution does not continue to be released, affecting the quality of our rivers?”
“In her statement, the Minister mentioned sustainable transport and transport decarbonisation policy development. The construction of dual carriageways has a hugely adverse impact on the local environment. Normally, they are built only when they will be used by at least 18,000 vehicles a day. Does the Minister accept that there is inconsistency in what she says, given that she plans for decarbonisation yet plans to build a dual carriageway on the A5 at Aughnacloy, which is used by fewer than 8,000 vehicles a day and is totally unjustifiable, and that, in fact, she is contributing to unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions by continuing to demand that dual carriageway when it is not justifiable for road development?”
“Will the Minister confirm that the additional bureaucracy and unnecessary costs will be a burden on his budget and ultimately mean that less money can be spent on our waiting lists and the other pressing issues that we face?”
“Earlier, the Minister seemed to indicate that his Department has not been consulted about the fund, yet local government is seeking to be consulted. In the rest of the United Kingdom, however, local government is mentioned as a strategic partner in relation to coordination and in ensuring that collaborative bids are made and opportunities are maximised. Will the Minister go back to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to seek to ensure that there will be collaboration in Northern Ireland with local partners in order to maximise the opportunity that is being made available to us?”
“Will the Minister advise what the budget that has been spoken about for the just transition is?”
“I am not sure exactly what the Member is saying, but does he not accept that, since the time of the Industrial Revolution, there has been considerably more CO2 in the atmosphere and that there is science involved in how that can adversely affect the climate?”
“<BR /> <BR />The UK has targets for carbon capture, and we cannot be part of that. Lots of complex issues are involved here. I urge Members not to be attracted by a simple figure or headline. We need to understand all the knock-on effects. As I said, for that reason, having assessed all the information and looked carefully at the Bill and the Climate Change Committee's detailed letter of, I think, 18 pages, I cannot support the Bill.”