To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to outline the work being undertaken to improve water quality in the Lough Neagh catchment area.

Mr Muir

I am delighted that protecting Lough Neagh is a key priority in the Programme for Government 2024-27. It reinforces the need for the implementation of the science-led actions in the Lough Neagh action plan. We need collective action and support to continue on that journey. I am pleased to report that, of the 37 actions contained in the Lough Neagh action plan, 10 have been delivered, 23 are progressing, and I am committed to driving forward the implementation of the remaining actions. Actions delivered include progress on the Lough Neagh small business research initiatives, enhanced responses to reports of water pollution through an increase in water quality inspectors and an increased focus on areas of highest risk, with DAERA officials undertaking increased waterway inspections in several Lough Neagh catchments of concern. I stress that there are no quick fixes to the issues in Lough Neagh, but the longer that we leave it before we take action, the more costly it will be and the longer it will take to fix.

Mr Muir

Thank you, Michelle. There is a requirement arising from the Lough Neagh action plan and the environmental improvement plan. There is also a requirement in law to review the nutrients action programme. We are undertaking a consultation on draft proposals. No final decisions have been taken. As I have always stated, it will require Executive referral and decision. I am engaging and listening, and I am prepared to take on board feedback, as always. I really welcomed the opportunity this morning to have what was a challenging but constructive engagement with the Ulster Farmers' Union and Northern Ireland Environment Link. All in the room acknowledged the problem with water quality, and the agreement was that it needs to be resolved. I welcome the work that has been undertaken to date, and we all acknowledge that more needs to be done. I welcome the outcome from the meeting this morning with the Ulster Farmers' Union and Northern Ireland Environment Link on the importance of everyone complying with existing regulations. People need to play by the rules, and the vast majority of farmers play by the rules. Let us put that on record. The focus must always be on the people who do not. I reassured everyone in the room that these are draft proposals. I heard their concerns and reiterated that no final decisions have been taken. I found it very heartening to have constructive discussions about the potential of setting up a stakeholder group consisting of agri-food and environmental stakeholders to consider the nutrients action programme proposals and the responses from the consultation to inform decisions on what will be implemented and the time frames for that. It is clear that time frames for implementation are very important to all concerned, and we need to find a way through that together. In respect of science and evidence, I provided reassurance about the processes in place.

Ms Finnegan

I express my heartfelt disappointment in hearing about the social media comments that the Minister has endured. It is absolutely disgraceful and should never be the case. With regard to the recently released NAP consultation introduced to protect our waterways, there is obviously huge concern from farmers. In the context of that, has the Department undertaken any modelling of how the proposed changes to the nutrients action programme could affect livestock stocking rates or the economic viability of the different farming systems?

Mr Muir

Thank you for your kind comments. They are appreciated. A regulatory impact assessment has already been undertaken, and we will undertake an economic impact assessment. Let us be very clear: my agenda is not about herd reduction; it is about financial and environmental sustainability. The outcome from the meeting this morning was really positive. The immediate focus has to be on ensuring that people are playing by the current rules around the nutrients action programme. That is what we are going to focus on, and I am confident that we will find a way forward in relation to that.

Mr Clarke

I join the previous Member in saying that no one should personalise those things against anyone. I am sorry to hear your comments around that, Minister. That should not be the case for anyone. I do not support that commentary. In your response today, you referred to water quality and to your scientists. What do you say about your former Chief Scientific Adviser, Dr Sinclair Mayne, who was appointed in 2016, being there last week among the other 900,000-odd people who were arguing against the science? He is an esteemed character who is renowned in his field. Do you have confidence when a former colleague of your scientists was on a platform last week disagreeing with the science that is being used for the proposals?

Mr Muir

Thank you, Trevor, for your kind remarks. In the discourse around this and many other issues, it is much better to play the ball and not the player. There is a consultation on the issue. There are many good people across the Chamber for whom I have a lot of respect, and we can debate these things. Let us find a way forward. My Chief Scientific Adviser is Alistair Carson. I was with him this morning. I have respect for the different opinions on the issue. I am conscious that there is discourse on the science and the evidence. Processes are in place in the Department to seek independent expert scientific advice and to commission external peer reviews of any issues that may need to be considered transparently and robustly off the back of the consultation. I want to ensure that we get external independent assessment of some of the stuff that has been raised with me. I need to satisfy myself before I bring forward any final proposals. I also need to satisfy people who respond to the consultation that their concerns have been addressed. We will do that.

Mr Butler

I associate myself with the comments that have been made across the House. Holding any Minister's feet to the fire should never descend into personal attack, particularly around sexual orientation, so the Minister has my full solidarity on that matter. Minister, I will hold your feet to the fire, however. There is a disconnect between the Department, you and the farming community. I have heard the statement "Nothing about us without us": what will you do to restore confidence among the farming community that any future development of the NAP will have that community's voice at the centre of it? The farming community will be key to delivering clear and clean water and will be our environmental champions.

Mr Muir

Thank you very much, Robbie. It was really good to meet you and the Deputy Chair beforehand, and I thank you for your ongoing productive relationship with me and the Department. We have a challenge here. We have a crisis in water quality. It is not just Lough Neagh: Lough Erne and many other waterbodies across Northern Ireland are in a critical state. Forty per cent of our drinking water comes from Lough Neagh, so we have to address the issue. We also need to ensure financial viability and sustainability in the long term for agriculture, and that is what I am commissioned to do. It is a tough ask, but I am determined to do it. This is the challenge of my life, and I will deliver on it. We have to do that, because we owe it to the people of Northern Ireland. I am very conscious of the concerns that have been expressed not just about agri-food but by environmental groups. They are coming to me with legitimate concerns, such as, "Is this going to be the situation for ever and ever?". Today's discussions with the Ulster Farmers' Union and Northern Ireland Environment Link are about setting up a stakeholder group that will bring together all the relevant people to consider what will be brought forward and when and how we go forward with the measures. That is really positive, and I want to take that forward.

Mr O'Toole

Minister, I add my voice to those who stand in opposition to any inappropriate, homophobic remarks. That is utterly disgusting. You have the Opposition's support in calling that out. You are doing your job as a Minister, and you can be challenged on substance but not on anything else. Minister, it is clear that Lough Neagh is an environmental crisis and will require action on nutrients overload. That is a fact; it is not subject to debate. There must also be investment in NI Water. It is a twin-track thing. Both issues need to be dealt with. On NI Water investment, are you disappointed about and have you raised with your colleagues the fact that this year's budget —

Mr Speaker

Mr O'Toole, could we get a question, please?

Mr O'Toole

— has a below-inflation increase for waste water?

Mr Muir

Thank you, Matthew, for your kind comments. Some of the social media commentary from well-known personalities and the comments below that commentary — they are platforming it — do not reflect the farming community in Northern Ireland. The reception that I have had from all arts and parts in Northern Ireland has been extremely welcoming and extremely positive. Some of the groups that I have engaged with, such as the Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster, are really positive examples of inclusivity when it comes to the future of Northern Ireland. I want to put that on the record. We are all clear that there are challenges here, but there is no need to engage in such comments. Some of the comments against officials in my Department are really despicable. You raised the important issue of sewage pollution. I met the Infrastructure Minister yesterday about that. My role is in regulation and enforcement of that sewage pollution. What is happening is not right, and I am the first Minister to grasp the issue of regulation and enforcement. The bye ball that was given to NI Water when it was established in 2007 — the permission to pollute under the statement of regulatory principles and intent (SORPI) — is wrong. I want to see an end to that: I want NI Water to be treated like all other polluters in Northern Ireland. It is wrong that NI Water is given special status in that regard. Alongside that, we need to see investment in waste water infrastructure, and it is for everyone in the Chamber to engage with the Infrastructure Minister on that. I will not be found wanting in dealing with all forms of pollution, because it is a critical issue for us all.