To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an assessment of the environmental damage caused by recent wildfires in the Mournes.

Mr Muir

It was absolutely devastating to witness the recent spate of wildfires across our landscapes, including the Mournes. Using satellite imagery, we can estimate the extent of the area in the Mournes that was impacted on by the wildfires. Initial estimates are that the fire to the north of Bloody Bridge extended to approximately 93 hectares; the fire to the south of Bloody Bridge extended to approximately 726 hectares; and the fire in the western Mournes extended to approximately 1,339 hectares. We will have to wait for a period to see how badly the habitat itself has been impacted on. There is likely to be a regrowth of vegetation in most places over the next year or two, but we will have to see whether species composition is adversely affected in relation to the expected condition of the site and whether intervention measures will be needed. Over that period, we will also be able to get an indication of whether any areas have been severely damaged and seed bank lost. In such areas, additional measures may be needed to ensure that the vegetation recovers.

Mr Muir

I have been really clear that the work to prevent wildfires in the Mournes and elsewhere has to be a collective endeavour. That is why I recently launched the wildfire action plan, which will run to 2030, as part of the strategic framework that we launched last year to tackle the increasing threat of wildfires. The action plan focuses on five main objectives: prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and enforcement. Those strategic objectives are supported by 35 areas of development as part of the action plan, which should ensure regional capability to better address wildfires in Northern Ireland. As part of the implementation, DAERA recently appointed a consortium of international wildfire experts to deliver a range of wildfire mitigation and management work across Northern Ireland, including wildfire management and response plans in the Mournes. It is important that I thank the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service for its work in extremely challenging circumstances alongside many other agencies, including my officials, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and relevant organisations in the Mournes, particularly the Mourne Heritage Trust and the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team. The most important action that we can all take is that, if we know anyone who is deliberately lighting malicious fires, to report that information to the police or Crimestoppers. I would be delighted to accept the Member's invitation to come down to the area.

Mr McAleer

Given that the areas in question are areas of natural constraint (ANCs), has the Minister given any further consideration to the implementation of an ANC scheme to support grazing livestock as a land management tool in those areas to prevent the risk of wildfires in the future?

Mr Muir

In the action plan, we set out a number of actions related to how we can better support our farming community. Farming with Nature is our key intervention in that regard. I note that the Bill that the Member proposed does not have any conditionality associated with the issues that he seeks to address, and the Committee will want to explore that to ensure that the Bill also drives forward those public goods.

Ms Forsythe

Minister, discussion of the issues often leads to discussions about wildfires, but it is important to make the point that cases such as the recent fires in the Mournes are rural arson and are a crime. We need to continue to use that language. We are also keen to hear what steps have been taken by you and the Justice Minister to tackle that issue, make an example of people and get justice, because, until we see some repercussions, the fires will continue and areas will be devastated. This is only May; it is only the start of the summer season in the Mournes.

Mr Muir

The Member is right: we should not normalise that behaviour. It is rural arson, and that is why I have been consistent in encouraging people who are aware of anyone who is deliberately lighting malicious fires to report that to the police or Crimestoppers. They are not only damaging our environment but putting lives and livelihoods at risk, and it is important that we bring people to justice for that. In the action plan, there is a review of enforcement. We already have legislation in place, and we need to look at sentencing. That is one of the measures that will be considered, but, most fundamentally, here and now, people need to come forward with information. It is really concerning to me, particularly the risk to life.

Mr McGrath

I concur with the previous remarks about them not being wildfires and how we really should stop calling them that. Every time they occur — they have been occurring for many years — Minister after Minister trots down to Newcastle, points up at the fires, promises everything and stands alongside the firefighters, but, obviously, nothing is helping: year after year, the fires keep happening. Minister, what material decisions have been taken that will make a difference next year?

Mr Muir

I mentioned in my answers the strategic framework and the action plan, but we have to do this together, Colin. It has to be a collective effort. As the Member rightly says, it is rural arson, but, that being the case, why are people not coming forward with information so that we can get people into court? We need to change attitudes to the acceptability of such behaviour, because it is not acceptable. People could lose their lives, homes are at risk and people are living in fear. I have had significant engagement with people and have put a lot of effort into that. Earlier today, I had questions about planning performance. We have limited resources and are trying to balance those. We have put resources into tackling the fires, but it has to be a collective effort: the Fire and Rescue Service, the police and other bodies have a role to play.

We will therefore continue to implement the action plan. If we get additional resources, we will look at what more we can do to move at a faster pace. As I said, we have also appointed international wildfire experts to deliver wildfire management plans. I am trying my best. It could be argued that a lot of the stuff that I am getting involved in is often the responsibility of another Department, but that is not what I am seeking to say. Instead, I am fronting up and trying to show leadership on what is a real issue. I know the concerns of local residents, particularly in the Mournes. Wildfires should not be occurring. People have been on the phone to me in tears, worried about their home, and that is not right. When good weather comes along, I say to anyone who intends going down there to light a fire to wise up. Do not do it. I also ask people, when there are fires, not to engage in wildfire tourism, because we then have a situation in which many people come to the area. It is very difficult for the agencies that are trying to fight wildfires to do so when people are on the mountains.

Mr Speaker

We will move on to topical questions.