Latest news with #NorthernIrelandAssembly
ITV News
2 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
First climate action plan targets increase in electricity from renewable sources in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's first draft Climate Action Plan sets a target that 80% of the region's electricity should come from renewable sources by 2030. The roadmap also proposes reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill to 10% by 2035 and planting 9,000 hectares of new woodland by the end of the decade. Launching a 16-week consultation on the plan, Environment Minister Andrew Muir described it as a 'milestone moment'. The action plan is a legal requirement of the Climate Change Act that was passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022. It sets out the proposed path that Northern Ireland will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 as well as achieving a carbon budget target of a 33% average annual reduction in emissions between 2023 and 2027. Mr Muir said: 'I am fully committed to delivering Northern Ireland's first Climate Action Plan – one that is grounded in robust science and evidence, shaped by stakeholder voices, necessarily ambitious and aligned with our pledge to a just transition. 'This isn't just a plan, it's a roadmap towards a more sustainable future. 'The publication of the draft Climate Action Plan is a milestone moment that will inform how we reduce our emissions, grow our green economy, protect our environment and improve our health and wellbeing.' The minister said the collapse of the powersharing Executive in 2022 meant that some pace on creating the plan had been lost, adding 'we can ill afford to delay or defer action'. During the 16-week consultation period, a series of consultation events, including sector-specific sessions, will be held across Northern Ireland. The plan sets out a number of policies and proposals to reduce emissions, affecting several Stormont departments. These include the proposals to increase the proportion of electricity produced from renewable sources with an 80% target by 2030. The plan also sets a policy direction of switching vehicle fuels to low-emission alternatives, improving energy efficiency in residential buildings, including through better insulation and reducing energy consumption in the government estate. It targets an increase in household recycling, increasing municipal waste recycling to 65% and reducing waste to landfill to 10% by 2035. The plan includes a policy of reducing nitrogen fertiliser use in agriculture, creating 9,000 hectares of new woodland by 2030 and restoring 10,000 hectares of peatland by 2027. Mr Muir said: 'We have seen the damaging and costly impacts of climate change around the world and closer to home from flash flooding, wildfires and more frequent and severe storms. 'No section of society is immune. 'It is essential we take action and I would encourage everyone to take part in this 16-week consultation.' Met Office chief scientist, Professor Stephen Belcher, said: 'We can see our climate is rapidly changing in our observations. 'We have a responsibility to future generations to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to net zero to stabilise the climate. 'And we also have a responsibility to citizens now and to future generations to accelerate our efforts to adapt to the extreme weather events we are seeing now in our changing climate. 'Action plans such as this are a vital step in this journey and the consultation on this plan is a valuable opportunity for the public to engage with this process.' Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
NI Politics: Watchdog complaints double since Stormont restored
Complaints to the Northern Ireland Assembly's standards watchdog have more than doubled in the year since Stormont was 150 complaints were made to the Assembly Commissioner for Standards in 2024-25, compared to 65 lodged in the previous 12-month Ireland's devolved government returned in 2024 following a two-year hiatus due to a political row over post-Brexit trade commissioner investigates complaints against members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) and ministers in Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive. A total of 149 complaints were made in 2024-25, including 123 against MLAs and 26 relating to these, 16 were assessed as admissible and proceeded to formal investigation, while 129 were deemed the 2024-25 figure is an increase compared to the previous year, it is similar to other recent highest figure in the 13 years since the commissioner role was created was 164 in complaints in 2024-25 related to alleged conflicts of was followed by complaints of "excessive and unreasonable personal attack" including concerns related to the use of social media. 'More could have been achieved' The details were contained in the latest annual report by the standards commissioner Dr Melissa is her last annual report before her five-year term as commissioner ends in commissioner said the "exceptional circumstances" of the Covid-19 pandemic and a two-year Stormont hiatus "made for an unusual five-year term".She added that "while I am very proud of what has been accomplished, I believe that in different conditions more could have been achieved".In her "final reflections" in the report, she said the ministerial code of conduct should be "updated, as it has not been revised since 1998"."This remains an urgent and unresolved matter," she McCullough said the commissioner's office needed more staffing resources "to do the work effectively"."Unfortunately, despite formal requests for such dedicated support, none has been provided," she McCullough also said the terms of the commissioner's employment should be reviewed, as benefits such as holiday pay and sick pay are currently not said it "risks sending the wrong message" and could "deter experienced and capable individuals from putting themselves forward".
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Concern Stormont MLAs delivering pre-scripted remarks for social media clips
Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots said he was also concerned that Points of Order are being raised about 'the normal cut and thrust of debate'. Almost a year and a half since the Northern Ireland Assembly was restored, Mr Poots has written to MLAs about the standards of debate in the chamber. Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots (Liam McBurney/PA) He also made his points at the start of the plenary session on Tuesday. Mr Poots, who has been elected to the Assembly for almost three decades, said he has witnessed 'political giants who passionately articulated their own case', but also engaged in debate and 'realised that they had to give as good as they could take'. 'Our standards of debate are often referred to in the context of the first element – the standard of remarks made about other members. However, there has been a decreased focus on the second element – the concept of debate,' he said. 'If the Assembly is to be serious about its scrutiny role, having a strong culture of parliamentary debate is vital.' Mr Poots said requiring MLAs to take care in their language and have civility in exchanges 'is not intended to, and should not, prevent passionate and robust debate'. 'In my time in the Assembly since 1998, I have been privileged to witness political giants, who passionately articulated their own case, engaging in debate,' he said. 'However, they also realised that they had to give as good as they could take. 'The freedom to challenge and to express different views in debate are core to this Assembly's core functions of exercising scrutiny, holding ministers to account and representing our constituents. 'Proper debate is about both having the opportunity to state your own views and listening, responding to and challenging the views of others. 'Some members increasingly concentrate only on stating their own opinions. 'Technology has created a temptation for members to deliver a pre-scripted text in the Chamber, shortly after which they leave to issue a clip of their speech on social media. 'If debate was only about a series of members reading out pre-scripted thoughts on an issue, without interaction, there would be no need for an Assembly Chamber – we could do it by email.' He added: 'I am also concerned about the tendency to raise Points of Order with the chair about the normal cut and thrust of debate, rather than challenge those points themselves.' He went on to say he is expanding the Ten Practical Principles of Debate circulated in 2021 to 'ensure they focus not only on interactions between members, but also on having a strong culture of debate and challenge'. 'When the Assembly has responsibility for making legislation which impacts on people's lives, it is vital that members are able to probe all the arguments before the Assembly takes a decision,' he said. 'It is my role to encourage the conditions for members to be able to exercise effective scrutiny and accountability in the Chamber. 'I therefore ask all members to take the time to reflect on the principles I have set out in the attachment and to adhere to them in debate.' Leader of the Opposition at Stormont Matthew O'Toole. Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole backed the comments from the Speaker. 'The comments from the Speaker today echo concerns the SDLP Opposition has raised for some time,' he said. 'Repeatedly we've seen Executive parties and their MLAs treat the Assembly Chamber as an inconvenience, rather than a core part of their role. 'Since the return of devolution, we've seen too much time wasted on meaningless motions, ministers avoiding scrutiny, and MLAs using debates to drive their social media channels instead of focusing on the job of governing. 'Even at today's Opposition Day, Sinn Fein failed to vote and other parties failed to show up. In contrast, the SDLP continues to ask tough questions and push for higher standards in debate and democratic scrutiny because we believe the current Executive performance is not good enough and hasn't delivered for people in Northern Ireland.' He added: 'The Speaker's intervention underlines the importance of a constructive Opposition to hold the Executive accountable and ensure Assembly time is treated with the seriousness it deserves.'
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Concern Stormont MLAs delivering pre-scripted remarks for social media clips
Almost a year and a half since the Northern Ireland Assembly was restored, Mr Poots has written to MLAs about the standards of debate in the chamber. Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots (Liam McBurney/PA) He also made his points at the start of the plenary session on Tuesday. Mr Poots, who has been elected to the Assembly for almost three decades, said he has witnessed 'political giants who passionately articulated their own case', but also engaged in debate and 'realised that they had to give as good as they could take'. 'Our standards of debate are often referred to in the context of the first element – the standard of remarks made about other members. However, there has been a decreased focus on the second element – the concept of debate,' he said. 'If the Assembly is to be serious about its scrutiny role, having a strong culture of parliamentary debate is vital.' Mr Poots said requiring MLAs to take care in their language and have civility in exchanges 'is not intended to, and should not, prevent passionate and robust debate'. 'In my time in the Assembly since 1998, I have been privileged to witness political giants, who passionately articulated their own case, engaging in debate,' he said. 'However, they also realised that they had to give as good as they could take. 'The freedom to challenge and to express different views in debate are core to this Assembly's core functions of exercising scrutiny, holding ministers to account and representing our constituents. 'Proper debate is about both having the opportunity to state your own views and listening, responding to and challenging the views of others. 'Some members increasingly concentrate only on stating their own opinions. 'Technology has created a temptation for members to deliver a pre-scripted text in the Chamber, shortly after which they leave to issue a clip of their speech on social media. 'If debate was only about a series of members reading out pre-scripted thoughts on an issue, without interaction, there would be no need for an Assembly Chamber – we could do it by email.' He added: 'I am also concerned about the tendency to raise Points of Order with the chair about the normal cut and thrust of debate, rather than challenge those points themselves.' He went on to say he is expanding the Ten Practical Principles of Debate circulated in 2021 to 'ensure they focus not only on interactions between members, but also on having a strong culture of debate and challenge'. 'When the Assembly has responsibility for making legislation which impacts on people's lives, it is vital that members are able to probe all the arguments before the Assembly takes a decision,' he said. 'It is my role to encourage the conditions for members to be able to exercise effective scrutiny and accountability in the Chamber. 'I therefore ask all members to take the time to reflect on the principles I have set out in the attachment and to adhere to them in debate.' Leader of the Opposition at Stormont Matthew O'Toole. Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole backed the comments from the Speaker. 'The comments from the Speaker today echo concerns the SDLP Opposition has raised for some time,' he said. 'Repeatedly we've seen Executive parties and their MLAs treat the Assembly Chamber as an inconvenience, rather than a core part of their role. 'Since the return of devolution, we've seen too much time wasted on meaningless motions, ministers avoiding scrutiny, and MLAs using debates to drive their social media channels instead of focusing on the job of governing. 'Even at today's Opposition Day, Sinn Fein failed to vote and other parties failed to show up. In contrast, the SDLP continues to ask tough questions and push for higher standards in debate and democratic scrutiny because we believe the current Executive performance is not good enough and hasn't delivered for people in Northern Ireland.' He added: 'The Speaker's intervention underlines the importance of a constructive Opposition to hold the Executive accountable and ensure Assembly time is treated with the seriousness it deserves.'
South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Concern Stormont MLAs delivering pre-scripted remarks for social media clips
Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots said he was also concerned that Points of Order are being raised about 'the normal cut and thrust of debate'. Almost a year and a half since the Northern Ireland Assembly was restored, Mr Poots has written to MLAs about the standards of debate in the chamber. He also made his points at the start of the plenary session on Tuesday. Mr Poots, who has been elected to the Assembly for almost three decades, said he has witnessed 'political giants who passionately articulated their own case', but also engaged in debate and 'realised that they had to give as good as they could take'. 'Our standards of debate are often referred to in the context of the first element – the standard of remarks made about other members. However, there has been a decreased focus on the second element – the concept of debate,' he said. 'If the Assembly is to be serious about its scrutiny role, having a strong culture of parliamentary debate is vital.' Mr Poots said requiring MLAs to take care in their language and have civility in exchanges 'is not intended to, and should not, prevent passionate and robust debate'. 'In my time in the Assembly since 1998, I have been privileged to witness political giants, who passionately articulated their own case, engaging in debate,' he said. 'However, they also realised that they had to give as good as they could take. 'The freedom to challenge and to express different views in debate are core to this Assembly's core functions of exercising scrutiny, holding ministers to account and representing our constituents. 'Proper debate is about both having the opportunity to state your own views and listening, responding to and challenging the views of others. 'Some members increasingly concentrate only on stating their own opinions. 'Technology has created a temptation for members to deliver a pre-scripted text in the Chamber, shortly after which they leave to issue a clip of their speech on social media. 'If debate was only about a series of members reading out pre-scripted thoughts on an issue, without interaction, there would be no need for an Assembly Chamber – we could do it by email.' He added: 'I am also concerned about the tendency to raise Points of Order with the chair about the normal cut and thrust of debate, rather than challenge those points themselves.' He went on to say he is expanding the Ten Practical Principles of Debate circulated in 2021 to 'ensure they focus not only on interactions between members, but also on having a strong culture of debate and challenge'. 'When the Assembly has responsibility for making legislation which impacts on people's lives, it is vital that members are able to probe all the arguments before the Assembly takes a decision,' he said. 'It is my role to encourage the conditions for members to be able to exercise effective scrutiny and accountability in the Chamber. 'I therefore ask all members to take the time to reflect on the principles I have set out in the attachment and to adhere to them in debate.'
