DUP MLA Diane Forsythe slams DAERA Minister Andrew Muir for 'running away' from no-confidence debate
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe has accused DAERA Minister Andrew Muir of 'running away' from a no-confidence debate, saying he had no interest in listening to contributions from farmers, fishermen and rural communities.
DUP MLA for South Down Diane Forsythe has criticised Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir, accusing him of failing to explain why he and Alliance Party colleagues walked out of the Assembly Chamber during a motion of no confidence debate.
The criticism follows a motion of no confidence in Mr Muir tabled last week by DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley, which focused on concerns surrounding the Minister's handling of issues affecting farmers, fishermen and rural communities.
In a statement, the South Down DUP MLA said the Minister had left the Chamber without listening to contributions from Members outlining why confidence in him had been lost among these sectors.
The MLA claimed the Minister had shown little interest in addressing the concerns raised and had failed to respond to Members or explain what action he had taken, or planned to take, to address the issues facing the farming and fishing industries.
The MLA also drew comparisons with an earlier incident at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, accusing the Minister of avoiding difficult questions from those affected by his decisions.
Following the Assembly debate, the DUP MLA said they had written to Mr Muir seeking an explanation for his actions.
However, the response received was described by the MLA as “pretty weak and shameful”, prompting further criticism of the Minister's approach to engagement with rural communities.
The MLA said: “Our farming and fishing industries deserve better than this, as do our rural communities.”
The DUP has pledged to continue raising concerns on behalf of farmers, fishermen and those living in rural areas, insisting that these communities deserve answers and greater accountability from the Minister.
The controversy comes amid ongoing political disagreements over the handling of agricultural and rural affairs in Northern Ireland, with the DUP maintaining that confidence in the Minister has been undermined.