1. Mr Dunne asked the Minister for the Economy to outline what engagement he has had with the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the impact that pressures on the waste water infrastructure is having on the local economy. (AQO 929/22-27)

I have engaged with the Minister for Infrastructure. He is committed to working with Executive colleagues to ensure that an appropriate investment is made. I am acutely aware of the constraints that infrastructure imposes on our economic resilience and capacity for growth. The reality is that this is a symptom of the systematic underfunding of the block grant over the past decade that the Executive now have to address. Despite those pressures, this year, the Minister for Infrastructure has allocated 40% of his Department’s total budget — almost half a billion pounds — to NI Water. Senior staff from Invest NI have had regular engagement with NI Water to understand the challenges and see how strategic investments can be aligned to benefit the economy.

I thank the Minister for his answer. The outdated and at-capacity sewerage network is stalling the construction of new homes, businesses and public buildings in 23 towns across Northern Ireland. Given the impact of that currently and in the future, what action will the Minister take to address those challenges, particularly with the pressures on housing? Does he fully recognise the scale of the issue? Is he prepared to offer more than just words and take action?

Everyone in the Executive is conscious of the issue, and I have heard a number of Ministers say that it is the one allocation of capital that we all support. We recognise that we need the waste water infrastructure for all our plans. If we do not have the proper facilities to allow development, all the Executive's plans and associated capital builds will run into difficulties. Yes, we support it. The Finance Minister is leading the charge to find more funding to address the legacy of a decade of underinvestment. Other Ministers will fully support addressing the issue, because we know that it has the potential to upend plans across every Department.

Is Invest NI engaging with NI Water to ensure that investments are not impacted by water surge issues?

Yes. The two organisations are engaged at that strategic level to make sure that we understand where Invest NI's development priorities are and that Northern Ireland Water's capital programmes reflect that it understands the economic priorities. It is important that the two organisations talk. The Member will be aware from his constituency, as I am from mine, that, if people are ready and willing to invest in the various business parks and land that Invest NI owns, we must ensure that the necessary infrastructure is there to support them. To grow our economy, it is important that we have resources for NI Water but also that there is alignment and understanding between the organisations developing the economy and the infrastructure.

The production tonnage of commercially farmed mussels in Belfast lough has fallen over recent years due to waste water pollution reducing the areas where it is safe to farm. Does the Minister have any concerns about the impact that that pollution may have on the future viability of a currently economically successful enterprise?

I am concerned about anything that impacts on something that benefits and grows the economy. The resolution of such concerns lies with DAERA or the Department for Infrastructure, and I advise the Member to take up those concerns with them. However, from an economic perspective, we want to see all our industries continue to grow. We want to make sure that there are no barriers or obstacles put in the way of that. If, potentially, damage is being done to one of our industries, I share his concerns.

The Minister will be aware that water infrastructure in Derry is a key challenge facing the expansion of Magee, as referenced in the report by Stephen Kelly and the Magee task force. Has it been raised specifically in the Minister's conversations with his counterpart in the Department for Infrastructure?

The Infrastructure Minister and all Ministers are aware in a general sense that we need to ensure that there is sufficient water and sewerage infrastructure to allow all the significant projects to which we are committed to go ahead. Department for Infrastructure officials will meet the task force in the near future, so the specific issues relating to the expansion of Magee can be put directly to them then.