Marshalled List of Amendments

Monday 16 November 2020

12 November 2020

Private Members’ Business

Item 4: Order Paper 57/17-22 – Monday 16 November 2020

Private Members’ Business

Motion: Ammonia Levels in Northern Ireland (Revised Wording)

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with concern the scale and complexity of the ammonia problem in Northern Ireland; further notes that critical loads of nitrogen deposition at which ecological damage occurs have been exceeded at 98 per cent of Northern Ireland’s Special Areas of Conservation, in some cases by 300 per cent or more; recognises the need to halt further overloading of critical thresholds; notes Northern Ireland’s legal obligations under Article 6 of the EU Habitats Directive; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to conduct an urgent review of approved planning applications for ammonia emitting projects that are within 7.5km of a Natura 2000 site; and further calls on the Minister to implement a moratorium on planning approvals for any project which proposes to increase discharges of ammonia into the environment until such time as a report is produced by the Department for Infrastructure that determines whether Article 6 of the EU Habitats Directive is being complied with in Northern Ireland.

Ms Clare Bailey

Ms Rachel Woods

The Speaker has selected the following Amendment for debate:

Amendment 1

Leave out all after ‘300 per cent or more;’ and insert:

‘recognises the need to reduce further overloading of critical thresholds; acknowledges that emissions do not recognise borders; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to conduct a review of the planning application process to ensure planners have all the appropriate guidance on ammonia and are led by science and data to mitigate ammonia emissions; and further calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to consult fully with the farming and agri-food industry and the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on this review, to ensure that the impact on the farming and agri-food industry is fully understood.’

[Mr Philip McGuigan]

[Mr Declan McAleer]

[Dr Caoimhe Archibald]

[Mr Cathal Boylan]