Muir hits out at pollution plan 'misinformation'
Northern Ireland's long-overdue Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) for 2026-29 was published for consultation last month.
Many of the proposals are linked to the Lough Neagh Action Plan. Some political parties and farming unions have argued the plans are out of touch with the reality of agriculture.
But on Tuesday, Andrew Muir said they were draft proposals with final decisions yet to be taken.
Speaking in the Assembly the minister also criticised as "disgraceful" recent commentary on social media about the issue.
"I have seen misogynistic comments against officials in my department, there have been racist comments in relation to people that we are very, very fortunate to have working in our agri-food sector.
"Not for a very long time have I seen such vile homophobic comments about myself. I am a gay man and I am proud to be a gay man and it has no relevance whatsoever to the Nutrients Action Programme nor my ability to do this job."
The minister went on to say: "Some of the comments made towards me - I'm thick enough to be able to take that, it was shocking and I have not seen something like that since the 1990s, but some of the comments for example in terms of foreign nationals working in agri-food, I just thought that was beneath contempt and I think it's important we call this out here.
"We can have a rational discussion around these things but we should not descend into that, and some of the comments against officials are wrong."
The leader of the Opposition, SDLP assembly member Matthew O'Toole said it was "utterly disgusting" and the minister had the opposition's support in calling it out, while the DUP's Gary Middleton said the social media comments against the minister and his officials were unacceptable.
Farmers say NI pollution proposals 'out of touch'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Bill limiting use of sales tax passes
GUILFORD COUNTY — Voters will be asked again to approve a sales tax increase of 0.25% of a penny for every $1 of sales, but this time legislation dictates how the revenue must be spent if the increase is approved. House Bill 305 was amended by Sen. Phil Berger Sr., R-Rockingham and Senate president pro tem, to set parameters on how the revenue, estimated at $28.7 million a year, would be allocated, with most of it going for teacher pay. The bill passed the General Assembly this week. The Guilford County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously in mid-June to place the sales tax referendum issue on the November 2026 general election ballot. A little more than a week after the commissioners' action, Berger amended House Bill 305 to address the sales tax proposal. Berger, whose legislative district includes Guilford County and some precincts in High Point, has said he placed directives on allocating the tax revenue to assure Guilford County voters on how the money would be spent. Although the county commissioners have pledged that all revenue raised by the proposed sales tax increase would go to teacher pay, there was no provision in state law preventing the money from being directed to other purposes. 'House Bill 305 now provides them with information so they can make an educated decision,' Berger previously said. If the proposed tax increase is approved by voters and raises $28.7 million, this is how the money would have to be allocated, according to the new legislation: • Teacher pay supplements in Guilford County Schools, $19.2 million. • Guilford County Fire and Rescue Council for equipment purposes and capital expenditures, $5.5 million. • Guilford Technical Community College capital projects, $2.7 million. • Allocations for Whitsett, Summerfield, Stokesdale, Pleasant Garden and Oak Ridge, $1.3 million. Berger's allocation approach apparently was the first time that has been applied in North Carolina to a sales tax referendum. Whether it will change how Guilford County voters view the proposal is uncertain. Voters have rejected the same proposed sales tax increase six times in the past 20 years, most recently in the November 2024 general election. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Judge keen to ensure trial of Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife not delayed again
A judge has stressed that the trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson should not be delayed again. The couple both face charges relating to alleged historical sex offences. The trial had previously been due to start in March, but was delayed because of Eleanor Donaldson's ill health. A new trial date has been set for November 3. The case was mentioned briefly at Belfast Crown Court on Friday morning for an update on an assessment over whether Eleanor Donaldson is currently fit to stand trial. Ian Turkington KC, who represents Eleanor Donaldson, said his client was examined by a consultant psychiatrist on July 18. 'We have been told we can expect a report, hopefully this Monday,' he said. 'That being so, I've indicated that if there is an intention to serve any report, it'll be done within seven days of our receipt of the report, assuming it is Monday.' The prosecution also intend to instruct a doctor to examine Eleanor Donaldson. Judge Paul Ramsey put to Mr Turkington that this depends what is in the report, and expressed that he is keen to ensure the trial date is not interfered with. It was agreed the case would be mentioned on September 11 at Newry Crown Court for an update. The judge said it would not be necessary for defendants to attend on that date. Jeffrey Donaldson, 62, who did not attend the hearing in Belfast on Friday, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences. The charges include one count of rape as well as allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency. These alleged incidents span a time period between 1985 and 2008, and there are two alleged victims. Eleanor Donaldson, 59, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, who also did not attend court, is facing charges of aiding and abetting, which she denies. Jeffrey Donaldson, the long-standing MP for Lagan Valley was arrested and charged at the end of March last year. He resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after the allegations emerged. Weeks before his arrest, he had led the DUP back into Stormont after a two-year boycott of the powersharing institutions. Previous deputy leader Gavin Robinson was appointed his successor as DUP chief.
New York Post
4 days ago
- New York Post
Zohran Mamdani passed only one bill in Albany this year — and he skipped the vote
ALBANY – Zohran Mamdani skipped the vote on the one bill he passed this year as a state lawmaker, The Post has learned. The chronically-absent Mamdani didn't bother visiting the state Capitol after New York's budget was approved in May, The Post previously reported — as he cast aside his duties as an elected state Assembly member to campaign for New York City mayor. While on the trail he missed the June 13 vote for his only piece of legislation that passed the Assembly this year, as first reported by the Albany Times Union on Thursday. Advertisement Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani didn't vote on his only bill to pass the state Assembly this year as he was on the campaign trail running for NYC mayor. AFP via Getty Images Instead, Mamdani was in the Big Apple announcing a cross endorsement in the primary race with city Comptroller Brad Lander as both Democrats angled for a boost from each other's voters in a ranked-choice primary election. The following day, he hosted a rally with fellow socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). Advertisement Mandani's legislation, a non-controversial bill that would extend enhanced public input requirements for certain regulatory decisions made by state agencies, was approved with only one vote against it in both the Assembly and state Senate. The socialist pol missed more than half of the Assembly's roll call votes this year, a feat made even worse given that the chamber allows members to vote remotely during situations such as 'disability, illness, caregiving responsibilities, or any other significant or unexpected factor.' The New York Assembly allows remote voting for members. Hans Pennink His lone bill was sponsored in the upper chamber by state Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Queens). Advertisement Mandani's campaign did not return a request for comment. 'Zohran became a top tier candidate for NYC mayor while maintaining a near perfect attendance record through the conclusion of the weeks-delayed New York State Budget,' a spokesperson for his campaign told The Post asked about his voting record in Albany earlier this year.
