Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

11 and 12 June 2025 - Committee visit Tyrone and Fermanagh to hear about local environmental issues

On Wednesday 11 June and Thursday 12 June 2025 the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs took part in an informative two-day visit to Counties Tyrone and Fermanagh, during which Members engaged with local stakeholders on issues relating to peatland restoration, fisheries, conservation and the circular economy.

The visit included site visits, briefings, and a formal Committee meeting at Castle Archdale Country Park.

Members heard directly from Ulster Wildlife, the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs' Fisheries Team, the RSPB, the Loughs Agency, Waterways Ireland, and representatives from Encirc Glass.

Description provided in paragraph directly below.

Members of the Committee with representatives of Ulster Wildlife. Left to right: Tom Buchanan MLA, William Buchanan MLA, Declan McAleer MLA (Deputy Chairperson), Aoife Finnegan MLA, Robbie Butler MLA (Chaireperson), Michelle McIlveen MLA, John Blair MLA, and two representatives of Ulster Wildlife.

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Members of the Committee during their tour. Left to right: Tom Buchanan MLA, John Blair MLA, Michelle McIlveen MLA, William Irwin MLA, Robbie Butler MLA (Chairperson), Aoife Finnegan, and Declan McAleer MLA (Deputy Chairperson).

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Members pose on peatland during a visit with Ulster Wildlife. Left to right: MIchelle McIlveen MLA, Robbie Butler MLA (Chairperson), Tom Buchanan MLA, representative of Ulster Wildlife, William Irwin MLA, representative of Ulster Wildlife, an Assembly Researcher, John Blair MLA, Declan McAleer MLA (Deputy Chairperson), Aoife Finnegan MLA, representative of Ulster Wildlife, a member of the Committee team, the Committee Clerk, an Assembly Researcher and a representative of Ulster Wildlife.

Committee members being shown around a glass factory by representatives of Encirc. Members are identified in the paragraph below. Each member is wearing hi-viz protective equipment, hard hats and goggles during the tour. We see a tour guide describing the factory to the members.

Members of the Committee being provided with a tour of a glass factory by representatives of Encirc Glass. Left to right: Aoife Finnegan MLA, John Blair MLA, a member with their back to camera, a representative of Encirc, Declan McAleer MLA (Deputy Chairperson) and Robbie Butler MLA (Chairperson).