High Hedges (Fee Transfer) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012

Part of Northern Ireland Assembly – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 5:15 pm on 5 March 2012.

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Photo of Cathal Boylan Cathal Boylan Sinn Féin 5:15, 5 March 2012

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I support the legislation. It generated a lot of debate, and it took people a long time to articulate their points. It is a small piece of legislation, but it will be very effective. It gives councils a wee mechanism to deal with issues that cannot be resolved through mediation, but I hope that councils do everything in their power to go down the mediation road before they decide to use this tool. It has highlighted one thing. In the previous debate, we talked about consultation and participation. As we went through the legislation, we received many consultative responses from local authorities and councils. However, when we went to introduce the legislation, we found that some councils were not keen to use it. That is just right. We have created a little mechanism for councils to use. I encourage those Members who are still in councils to try mediation first before they use the regulations. Go raibh míle maith agat.