Questions asked by John Blair in the Northern Ireland Assembly

I can confirm that I am committed to addressing concerns around contaminated land.

In April 2026 DAERA published a Summary Report produced by external consultants following an exercise commissioned on Identification of Land in Northern Ireland Potentially Contaminated with Mercury. The initial report was conducted by means of a desk-based review using the NIEA Historical Land Use Database and the DOE industry Profiles with no site visits of field work undertaken. That detail has been uploaded to DAERA Open Data to provide increased awareness.

However, it is also important to be responsible in how that information is presented and reported on. Therefore, to help allay an immediate concerns NIEA carried out a supplementary review of the 25 sites that were regarded as having the highest potential of mercury contamination. In all 25 cases NIEA found that either mercury contamination was unlikely or that risk of exposure to mercury was low.

I am strongly of the view that costs should be borne by those responsible for the contamination adhering to the “polluter pays” principle, which is reinforced by my department’s introduction of the NI Environmental Principles Policy Statement, which came into force on 2 September 2026.

In the absence of a specific contaminated land regime, many contamination issues are dealt with on an individual site basis through existing planning and environmental protection controls. The application process for development or change of land-use deals with historical contaminated land sites by attaching certain conditions as part of the redevelopment process.

In Northern Ireland, as in GB, any new incidents of land contamination are dealt with under Environmental Liability Regulations. The Environmental Liability (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 place obligations on operators requiring them to take preventative action where there is an imminent threat of environmental damage and to remediate damage that has occurred.

It is positive that most land remediation occurs as part of planning consent where the cost is met by the landowner or developer. It is important that focus remains on those responsible for contamination, or those who benefit financially from the future use of the land, to ensure that they bear the costs instead of that falling to the public purse.

While the situation is likely to have improved due to this approach, there remains the potential that the introduction of the contaminated land regime may place significant costs on central government and local authorities. To provide a more robust evidence base to consider the potential impact on public finances, my Department launched a tender process to procure consultants with the necessary expertise to assess the costs associated with establishing and maintaining a contaminated land regime. Unfortunately, that process concluded without any tenders being received. Officials are currently engaging with industry to identify further options.

As set out above, while I am keen to see progress on this matter, I also have a responsibility to give due consideration to wider public finances. In early 2006 the, then, Department of the Environment received a report from Casella Stanger assessing the resources necessary to implement and enforce Part III of a Northern Ireland Contaminated Land Regime. This report determined the total Inspection and Remediation cost to be £329 million, which would equate to close to £600 million today. While many contaminated sites may have since been redeveloped, it nevertheless appears likely that the costs will still be significant.

My Department is committed to promoting and actively engaging in One Health collaboration across the across human, animal and environmental sectors. The Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) are established members of an Irish Government initiative (the All-Island One Health Commission), a round table strategic level group of One Heath partners, from environment, animal health interests based in the Republic Of Ireland. My officials engage routinely across the UK Four Nation One Health interest areas spanning Climate, Environment, Disease Surveillance, Zoonosis and Antimicrobial Resistance.

During November, my Department, alongside human health officials, have promoted the One Health World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) campaign. This World Health Organisation (WHO) campaign has UK and international reach and runs from the 18-24th November with the theme “One Health, one action: Prevent AMR now”. My officials are currently teaming up with the Public Health Agency NI to hold One Health Antimicrobial Resistance awareness raising roadshows.

The annual One Health Day, launched in 2018, has limited engagement across UK and Ireland. In 2026 a One Health Festival is planned across the Island of Ireland including a joint event by Queens University Belfast and Ulster University. My officials are engaging with the organisers and intend promoting and participating in One Festival events.

I recognise the importance of a joined up One Health approach and understand that the CVO and CMO are presently working to refocus work on AMR to embrace wider One Health issues to include Climate, Environment, Surveillance and Zoonosis.

The feasibility study into the Antrim Significant Flood Risk Area, which includes the lower reaches of the Sixmilewater River, remains ongoing. Work is continuing to explore every reasonable opportunity to identify a viable flood alleviation scheme for Antrim, including further hydraulic modelling, engineering assessment and the consideration of combinations of flood alleviation measures.

The feasibility study is expected to be completed early in 2027, within the current Assembly mandate.

My Department is working in close partnership with Translink to advance plans for the reopening of the Antrim to Knockmore railway line, a project with the potential to deliver significant benefits for communities, businesses and the wider economy.

The first phase of development work, together with the key findings of the study, was published in December 2025 through the Shaping the Future document. https://www.translink.co.uk/about-translink/media/pressreleases/shaping-the-future

To maintain momentum, I allocated £1 million in the 2025/26 financial year and as a result of the additional Shared Island Funding I have been able to ring fence a further £5 million this year to progress All Island Rail Review priority projects.

This funding will enable further detailed technical work, including proposals for a connection to Belfast International Airport, engagement with planning authorities, development of signalling and electrification options, and assessment of user-worked crossings along the route.

Enhancing connectivity to Belfast International Airport is a key priority that will support economic growth, improve sustainable transport options, and help deliver the ambitions set out in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review.

While future phases of the project will require the necessary funding, approvals and statutory consents, the work currently underway reflects a strong commitment to progressing this important opportunity and ensuring the project is well positioned for future development.

My Department and the Education Authority (EA) are implementing a programme of Special Educational Needs (SEN) reform which aims to improve outcomes for children and young people and to make provision more sustainable, inclusive and responsive.

The EA has advised that fit for purpose actions include implementation of the SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan 2025–2030; the Graduated Response Framework to support earlier identification, assessment, planning and review of need; the development of Local IMPACT Teams and multidisciplinary support; reform and digitisation of statutory assessment processes to improve consistency, timeliness and transparency; work to enhance the model of support; workforce development and training for schools and specialist staff; and strategic planning to expand and better align special-school and specialist provision in mainstream schools with identified need. The Grounds Maintenance Capital Unit undertake works to ensure that schools are fit for purpose in respect of outdoor provision for pupils with SEN.

ii)

In terms of accessibility the reforms are designed to provide more support at an earlier stage and closer to a child’s school and community, reducing unnecessary barriers to specialist advice and intervention. The EA has advised that measures include wider access to consultation from educational psychology and specialist services; clearer pathways for schools and families; expansion and review of specialist provision, including early-years and mainstream-based provision.

Legislation to introduce phase one of Lucy’s Law has been drafted and put forward for consideration by the Executive at its meeting on 24 September, following which it will be scrutinised by the AERA Committee and Assembly. . Subject to securing the necessary approvals, I intend to have the legislation in place by the end of 2026. A lead-in period will then apply before the new requirements take effect, allowing time to prepare for implementation. Phase two which will introduce registration requirements remains a policy objective to be brought forward at a later date.

The following table sets out the total funding allocated by my Department to each local council over the last five years. Figures may be subject to rounding.

Whilst DAERA has commissioned a review of the scientific evidence around impacts from sand dredging, recent scientific evidence raises concerns in relation to commercial sand dredging in Lough Neagh, in particular, the potential for the release of previously bound nutrients which may contribute to worsening water quality and the proliferation of harmful algal blooms. These potential effects have not previously been fully assessed and may present a potential risk to the integrity of Lough Neagh and Lough Beg ASSI, SPA and Ramsar site.

Further detail is contained in the following paper: ‘Sand dredging is associated with benthic habitat alteration and chronic turbidity with profound ecological consequences likely for the UK and Ireland's largest freshwater lake’, Neil Reid et al (2026), Journal of Environmental Management https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129573

Accordingly, NIEA has written to the Department for Infrastructure advising that appropriate consideration should be given to undertaking a review of existing permissions and licences, particularly with respect to Lough Neagh. For any proposed amendments to such permissions, it is also important that any evidence regarding potential impacts is taken account of.

The Department maintains information collated annually and published on the departmental website. The requested information for animal slaughter is set out below in tables for pigs (Table 1), poultry (Table 2), sheep (Table 3) and cattle (Table 4), with the reference provided to the relevant internet link.

Table 1. Number of pigs slaughtered 2021-2025, no sub-category applicable.

Reference: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/slaughtering-pigs-2003/

Table 2. Number of poultry slaughtered 2021-2025, by category.

Table 3. Number of sheep slaughtered 2021-2025, by category.

Reference: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/cattle-and-sheep-slaughterings-2001/

Table 4. Number of cattle slaughtered 2021-2025, by category.

Reference: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/cattle-and-sheep-slaughterings-2001/

My Department is aware of the challenges associated with ADHD service provision across Northern Ireland, including variations in access and pathways between Health and Social Care Trusts.

There is currently no commissioned service for ADHD in Northern Ireland. In response, my Department commissioned the ADHD Needs Assessment Report and is using these findings to inform future service planning and to identify measures that can be implemented in the short to medium term to reduce unmet need for ADHD Services.

My Department recognises that there is no currently commissioned regional ADHD service or standardised referral pathways issued to GPs. Where services are unavailable, Health and Social Care Trusts communicate with referring GPs regarding their services and reasons referrals cannot be accepted.

My Department published the ADHD Needs Assessment in February 2026, which considered current provision, future demand and service requirements for both children and adults with ADHD. The issue of shared care arrangements was also considered as an element of this workstream, albeit it is recognised that this issue is wider than ADHD and applies across a range of clinical specialities and medicines requiring specialist oversight. The findings continue to inform consideration of future ADHD service arrangements, subject to available funding and wider Health and Social Care priorities.

Work is currently underway to assess a small number of shortlisted options to inform future decisions on ADHD support in the context of overall affordability and future budget availability.

There is currently no commissioned adult ADHD Service in Northern Ireland. Consequently, my Department does not routinely collect this data and is therefore unable to provide data on waiting times for adult ADHD assessments, including within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

Those who have passed their test under the GDL system will have been subjected to a longer and more robust learning period, the 6-month mandatory minimum learning period with the logbook app, and they will have learnt to drive at speeds above 45mph.

Whereas those who have passed their test before the introduction of the GDL system, will not have learnt to drive above 45mph and will not have went through the longer, more robust, learning process. The 45mph limit has been considered appropriate for ‘R’ drivers in these conditions for decades.

The GDL system will introduce a new, separate, ‘R’ plate for those who pass their test under the GDL system and can drive above 45mph, meaning it will be clear to other drivers who is restricted to 45mph and who is not.

The introduction of GDL entails the change from the current testing system and post-test requirements to those required under GDL. Such a transition necessitates the drawing of a line beyond which the previous arrangements no longer apply, and this has been carefully assessed. It is considered appropriate to provide these transitional arrangements to allow for adjustment to the new GDL scheme.

The Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”), was agreed by the Assembly, and sets out the transitional arrangements that apply to learner drivers whose provisional licence entitlement to drive a category B vehicle commenced before the introduction of GDL. The 2016 Act specifies a six-month transitional period and the arrangements that will apply to such learners. In practice, this transitional period will cover from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.

I consider that this approach represents the most practical and equitable means of implementing GDL while ensuring continuity and certainty for learners who have already commenced training.

Those who have passed their test under the GDL system will have been subjected to a longer and more robust learning period, the 6-month mandatory minimum learning period with the logbook app, and they will have learnt to drive at speeds above 45mph.

Whereas those who have passed their test before the introduction of the GDL system, will not have learnt to drive above 45mph and will not have went through the longer, more robust, learning process. The 45mph limit has been considered appropriate for ‘R’ drivers in these conditions for decades.

The GDL system will introduce a new, separate, ‘R’ plate for those who pass their test under the GDL system and can drive above 45mph, meaning it will be clear to other drivers who is restricted to 45mph and who is not.

Transitional arrangements for learners whose provisional licence entitlement to drive a category B vehicle commenced before 1 October 2026 are set out in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, passed by the Assembly in 2016. While there will be a period during which newly qualified drivers are subject to different post-test requirements, this is a necessary consequence of the transition from one driver licensing system to another.

The arrangements have been designed to provide a fair and proportionate transition. It allows existing provisional licence holders time to complete their training and take the driving test for which they have been prepared. Significantly, this will not include driving at speeds above 45mph. As they will have learnt to drive under the existing regulatory framework, it is appropriate that they will continue to be subject to the current restrictions on new drivers, including the display of the existing amber R plate and compliance with a 45mph speed limit for one year after passing their driving test. Under GDL, learners will complete a Programme of Training, including a speed awareness module, have the opportunity to experience higher driving speeds under supervision and be tested while driving safely at speeds higher than 45mph, assuming conditions allow. They will therefore have been prepared for the protections and restrictions to which they will be subject under GDL.

In terms of enforcing GDL, that would be for the PSNI to respond to.

Neither my Department nor its arm’s length bodies have had any engagement with sporting or cultural governing bodies on this issue.

Responsibility for the safe operation and management of public leisure facilities, including decisions on capacity and operational arrangements during periods of extreme heat, rests with the relevant local council and facility operator.

Neither I nor my Department has a role in these operational matters.

The organisers of festivals and large events are responsible for providing appropriate guidance.