A Zero Waste Strategy for Northern

The manifesto for the Assembly Election 2016 1 Green Party in Northern Ireland | Manifesto 2016

Introduction

The Green Party is We hate waste, wherever it is found, and pledge to bring about an end to the standing on a promise waste of money, time and opportunities of Zero Waste. at Stormont. By taking a Zero Waste approach to our economy, society and environment, we can make Northern Ireland a better place for us all to live.

Green Party candidates for the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly Elections

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Contents

Foreword 7

A Zero Waste Strategy for People 8 Education 8 Health 9 Justice 10 Arts 10 Equality 10 Democracy 11

A Zero Waste Strategy for the Environment 12 Planning 12 Natural resources 12 Agriculture 13 Animals 13

A Zero Waste Strategy for the Economy 14 Energy 14 Jobs 15 Housing 16 Transport 16

Green Party candidates 2016 17

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Our Green Party councillors in North Down brought about a ban on circuses using animals on council Foreword property. They have supported community workers speaking out against paramilitary intimidation and have In the past five years, the Green Party’s been working towards giving the public a say in how membership has trebled, and continues to rise. money is spent. Our share of the vote has doubled between Westminster elections and we had our best ever Equality and social justice, inextricably linked with council election. Indeed, it was standing room only environmental sustainability, are the foundations of the at the recent Green Party conference. Green Party.

People have become tired of the wasteful gridlock This becomes apparent when you look at our 18 of politics as usual and the Green Party offers an candidates for the Assembly elections. By working with opportunity for change. and empowering members, we have achieved a 50/50 gender balance. We are standing LGBT candidates, But it’s not just about numbers. including the first transgender candidate in Northern Ireland. We are standing young candidates as well as The Green Party has also made things better. those with experience.

The Children’s Services Cooperation Act, which I With your help, the Green Party will build on introduced, makes things better for your children these successes. by ensuring cooperation to put your child at the centre. We simply ask you to vote Green on The Green Party has exposed the systemic failure Thursday 5 May 2016. of our planning system that sees unauthorised sand dredging in Lough Neagh, illegal dumps such as Mobuoy flourishing and oil drilling in Woodburn.

The Green Party had led the way on equal marriage. We also stood up to the injustices of welfare reform, resulting in a better, although not Green Party leader good enough, deal.

Green Party representatives have been working in local communities to bring about positive change.

Deputy leader has worked tirelessly with local residents as an advocate for better housing and education. She leads the way on campaigning for equality and the need to trust women.

Councillor Ross Brown has led change on City Council, securing council opposition to the oil drilling at Woodburn, support for an energy transition strategy and an animal cruelty register.

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PPIntroduce legislation to grant Student Unions legal PPPromote the vision for mental health and learning Education and financial protections similar to those enshrined in disability services outlined in the Bamford Review A Zero Waste the Education Act 1994 in Great Britain The Green Party would like to see a fully integrated PPBack calls for a dedicated international mental health Strategy for People education system that enables all pupils to fulfil their PPEncourage the development of GSCE and A-Levels centre for Northern Ireland to reflect the fact that we potential. Our current system is costly both in terms of in sign-language have the world’s highest rate of post-traumatic stress disorder directly linked to the conflict The Green Party has been successful at Stormont, for finance and societal impact. PPRequire personal social and health education (PSHE) P example through Steven Agnew’s Children’s Services in all schools PPromote health education to children in schools, so Cooperation Act, through leading the way on equal It is unacceptable that we segregate our children at that our children learn to eat well and keep active, as marriage and through highlighting the need to reform age four while opportunities for integration have been well as promoting mental health and well-being wasted by those who seek to continue the status quo. Northern Ireland’s archaic abortion laws. Health PPInclude information about mental health, chronic There is public demand for integration and it is time for illness and disabilities in the school curriculum We have been frustrated at the lack of progress, wasted Stormont to deliver. School should be about sharing We must defend our national health service and ensure PPPromote health and well-being for the whole of life, opportunities and the seemingly endless squabbling of experiences, not just buildings. that it remains free at the point of use. We are opposed starting with enhanced care for children up to two the five main parties. to health service privatisation and cuts to frontline The Green Party will services. years old P In contrast to this the Green Party pays tribute to the PSupport increased physical education at an early age PPEnsure that all children have access to an integrated voluntary and community sector, especially those who Our health service should start with keeping people in schools education throughout their academic careers healthy, beginning with exercise, a good diet and facilitate the participation of volunteers. These unsung PPCall for an independent review of the provision of a healthy lifestyle. When ill, we need to receive heroes often provided the glue that, more often than PPSeek an independent review of the barriers to support for older people at home, including the need not, held together many of the political deals struck by increasing integrated education high quality, patient-focused treatment instead of for high-quality domiciliary care political parties in the peace process. languishing on waiting lists. PPEnsure that Steven Agnew’s Children’s Services PPWork in partnership with charities and voluntary Cooperation Act 2015 is fully implemented The Green Party will organisations that are championing patient care PPIncrease investment in early years, for example P “There have been many wasted PIntroduce legislation to support mothers who wish to through increased provision of Surestart PPOppose privatisation of the health service and cuts to breastfeed opportunities at Stormont. As your frontline services PPIntroduce a flexible starting age in primary schools PPTreat drug addiction as a health problem rather than Green MLA I will listen to you and PPSupport health service staff to secure fair conditions PPIntroduce free nutritious school meals for all children as a crime deliver the open and transparent in P1-P3 PPOppose any imposition of contractual change for PPSupport dignity in dying doctors without negotiation and agreement politics that we need.” PPEnsure pupils receive appropriate support through PPEnsure equality of healthcare services for women assessment and that learning is child-centred rather PPRetain free prescriptions, but introduce a voluntary including the extension of the 1967 Abortion Act to Clare Bailey, deputy leader and Green Party than system-centred payment scheme for those who wish to contribute to Northern Ireland candidate for South Belfast the cost of their prescriptions PPSupport an education system based on community- PPPush for the provision of accessible, respectful and centred campuses, with local schools and colleges PPPromote health through the provision of safe walking, inclusive healthcare for transgender individuals of serving the whole community cycling routes, public parks, playgrounds, pitches, all ages through Health and Social Care Northern swimming pools and leisure centres PPFight for resources for special education needs to Ireland ensure that there is increased services provision to PPSupport co-operative working between the PPImprove health outcomes for the LGBT community match improved diagnosis rates Department for Communities and Department of by promoting evidence-based and accessible Health given the contribution of sport to health PPRevalue our Colleges of Further and Higher healthcare promotion Education and the skills, crafts and trades they teach PPPromote community healthcare, illness prevention PPOppose plans to raise undergraduate tuition fees and health promotion to combat the rising problems further of obesity and its related diseases

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There needs to be a better connection between Justice investment in the arts and the contribution it makes to Democracy the economy through job creation and leisure. Justice is a fundamental part of our democratic society Stormont needs to change to become truly to which we are all entitled. representative of the population it serves instead of The Green Party will wasting time and money on political point scoring. The Green Party supports an evidence based approach PPDevelop ‘art contract clauses’ similar to ‘community to justice which is focused on crime prevention and The Green Party stands by its principles of openness benefit clauses’ for multi-million pound film and reducing reoffending. Cost effective early intervention and transparency. It has taken active steps to empower screen projects in Northern Ireland and joined up working across government departments its members to come forward and stand for election, are crucial to tackle the causes of crime. Domestic and PPSupport core investment for the arts at local and resulting in an equal number of men and women sexual violence is under-reported and prosecutions Executive level to further realise the value and candidates, as well as LGBTQ and young candidates. remain low. positive impact of the arts The Green Party will This is not good enough. We need equal access to justice. Equality PPIncrease the level of participative democracy PPWork for the removal of community designation in the The Green party will Inequality is commonplace throughout our society with many opportunities wasted by the Executive to redress Assembly, to be replaced by 2/3 majority decision making PPSupport the introduction of evidence-based early the imbalance. P intervention initiatives to tackle the causes of crime PContinue to lead by example with transparency It has been clear for some time that public opinion in political donations, seek the removal of the P PDefend the UK Human Rights Act is way ahead of our old political landscape on this exemption for Northern Ireland from current PPEnd labour exploitation by ensuring that all migrant issue, with many in Northern Ireland wanting to see the legislation and move towards lowering the limit such workers are able to access support agencies same progress towards equality that is now the norm that all donations over £500 will be made public elsewhere. PPEnsure a greater focus on tackling domestic and PPRequire political parties to stand a minimum of 1/3 sexual violence and supporting victims of domestic female candidates in Assembly elections, with a and sexual violence The Green Party will reduction in the Financial Assistance to Political Parties for any party which fails to do so PPRaise the age of criminal responsibility P PBring forward legislation for equal marriage P P PCampaign for the voting age to be lowered to 16 PUpdate Prison Service policy to ensure transgender PPEnd the blood ban for men who have sex with men prisoners are housed in facilities correct for their PPIntroduce a legal duty to co-operate to apply to all P gender, and not in solitary confinement PUpdate the Gender Recognition Act 2004 to provide government departments in all functions transgender and non-binary people in Northern P PPOppose withdrawal from the European Convention PSupport payment of pensions to those seriously Ireland with gender recognition processes based on on Human Rights, and will campaign for the UK to injured in the Troubles, with a review panel to deal self-declaration with controversial cases remain within the European Union PPImplement the measures set out in the Racial P PInitiate reform of our libel laws Equality Strategy P PExpand community policing as part of normalising PPEnsure comprehensive relationship and sexuality society education for all pupils PPEncourage more men to avail of parental leave Arts

Unprecedented cuts to theatres and other arts organisations came as a shock to many, undermining jobs and arts programming.

Ironically, this comes at a time when Northern Ireland is being used for multi-million pound films and TV series.

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The Green Party will PPIntroduce a new law to require recycling targets for PPDevelop local supply poly-culture, permaculture, commercial waste and community controlled, nature-based social PPSupport planning policy which puts the principles of A Zero Waste farming models sustainability at its core PPIntroduce deposit schemes for plastic bottles, tin cans, glass bottles and tyres PPReduce food waste by introducing regulations Strategy for the PPPursue early and robust enforcement action against requiring surplus food from supermarkets to be unauthorised activity PPInvestigate ways of reducing wasteful packaging, for offered to food banks Environment example by encouraging the use of biodegradable PPGive citizens, currently regarded as ‘third parties’ packaging and extending the plastic bag levy to PPStrengthen and enhance legal protection for in the planning process, a right to appeal decisions The environment is where we live, from our home and other packaging biodiversity and our local wildlife they believe adversely affect them community, to Northern Ireland as a whole and beyond. PPSupport the retention of all commercial and PPTake action to address the alarming decline of PPOppose the development of further out of town retail recreational woodland owned by the Forest Service bees by applying the precautionary principle to in favour of a town centre focus The Green Party has successfully uncovered serious within public ownership pesticide use failings in our planning process, such as exposing the PPSupport a minimum Level 4 Building Standards PPEnsure that water resources stored and routed for PPIncrease the overall planting of trees largest illegal dump in the UK and forcing the issuing Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM ‘very public consumption are kept in public ownership of an enforcement notice to the unauthorised sand good’ building design dredgers in Lough Neagh. PPPromote the retention of hedgerows and their PPEncourage energy conservation and use of enhancement with appropriate species Animals renewables in domestic and commercial P The Green Party has consistently advocated the need planning policy PEncourage the planting of protective forests The Green Party has led the way in campaigning to harness our natural resources to increase energy bordering rivers and lakes to protect water quality against animal cruelty. PPPromote an integrated flood prevention and from renewables. and assist in managing flood risks mitigation strategy PPDemand full prosecution of environmental crimes Despite other parties purporting to support animal P PSupport urban density planning and oppose the welfare, none have supported the Green Party’s PPAdvocate public rights of access to the countryside development isolated dwellings Assembly motion to ban hunting with hounds, even and coast of Northern Ireland PPFully implement an ecologically coherent network though public opinion favours a ban. of Marine Protected Areas around the coast of PPBack the creation of national parks in Northern Northern Ireland to act as ‘no-take’ reserves closed Ireland There has also been a lack of action to improve welfare to commercial fishing and other extractive activities and end to puppy farming.

Agriculture The Green Party will Natural resources Northern Ireland owes much to its agricultural sector, PPExtend the Hunting Act, which bans the hunting Our currently dominant economic model is a accounting as it does for some 80% of land use and of animals with hounds or other dogs, to Northern destructive one, driving us to extract and consume employing over 60,000 full-time and part-time farmers. Ireland resources at ever increasing rates. Waste is then PPBan the sale, possession and use of snares dumped or burned in ever greater quantities. We recognise that farmers currently face pressure from rising material and energy costs, and downward PPIntroduce mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses Planning The resulting pollution contributes to resource pressure on the prices for their produce. PPIntroduce tougher regulations on animal transport, depletion, ill health and climate change, with financial including a maximum limit of eight hours before a Planning powers should be used to ensure our consequences for mismanaging waste. Agriculture is potentially key to solving problems such mandatory rest of at least one hour towns and city centres are sustainable, attractive, as biodiversity loss, mitigating the effects of climate PPIncrease welfare standards for farmed animals thriving places for local businesses, customers and The Green Party believes our natural resources should change and creating a sustainable food system. visitors alike. be valued and enjoyed by all. PPSupport a ban on the routine adding of antibiotics to The Green Party will animal feed Although Councils now have responsibility for planning, The Green Party will PPSee an end to use of animals in circuses such planning should take place on the basis of clear PPSupport single farm payments criteria which principles. The Assembly ultimately has responsibility to PPIntroduce an independent Environmental incentivises small farmers, environmental protection ensure that these principles are taken seriously. Protection Agency and animal welfare PPSet at least a 70% household recycling and PPEncourage organic alternatives to minimise the use composting target by 2025 of harmful substances in the treatment of soil, crops and animals by farmers and growers PPEstablish a charter for consistent recycling across Northern Ireland

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A Zero Waste Energy Jobs Northern Ireland needs renewable energy supplies Northern Ireland needs long-term, sustainable jobs that Strategy for the that are affordable, clean, sustainable and secure. pay a living wage and provide a sense of security and fulfilment. Economy Properly harnessed, our tides, waves, wind and sun provide power affordably and safely, with a valuable It is unacceptable that the economic recovery is only We live in a world of finite resources. As demand surplus for export. being experienced by the privileged few while others for public services increases, the amount of money continue to experience in-work poverty. This two-tier available is shrinking. By taking a zero tolerance Northern Ireland needs to play its part to mitigate society is neither fair nor sustainable and the Green approach to waste the Green Party will ensure that your the effects of climate change, yet there is continued Party will work to redress this imbalance. money is spent wisely. scepticism by political colleagues of the scientific fact of global warming. The Green Party will Our economy must be sustainable. This means PPCampaign for the full implementation of the Green planning for the long term and ensuring that the The Green Party will New Deal home energy efficiency scheme, which will decisions we make today do not damage our future. create up to 15,000 jobs PPBring forward a Climate Change Bill PPCall for a properly calculated living wage as outlined Work must be rewarded with a living wage. Investment PPSupport clean and sustainable energy solutions, by the Living Wage Foundation in housing, education and transport are an essential with an emphasis on small-scale, local and co- PPPromote parity of pay for women and men and seek part of job creation. operative schemes, especially community-owned publication of rates of pay by gender in public sector schemes and large corporations “As a trained economist, I have the PPEnsure that large-scale renewable projects engage PPOppose the reduction in corporation tax and knowledge and skills to achieve real with, and benefit, local communities, including continue to promote the development of a ‘community benefit’ payments for onshore wind sustainable economy and lasting changes to end the wasteful PPBuild on Northern Ireland’s natural resources and PPPush for social clauses in all government contracts to practices at Stormont.” expertise to create a world-class renewable energy include proper training and apprenticeships industry, bringing training, skilled jobs and valuable PPIntroduce a pay ratio policy for the public sector Ross Brown, Green Party candidate for East Belfast exports PPPromote and encourage employers to implement PPCall for support for clean power systems for family friendly working policies such as childcare and existing buildings in both public and private parental leave sectors PPSupport the implementation of a childcare strategy to PPBan all types of dangerous ‘unconventional’ fossil deliver adequate, accessible and affordable childcare fuel extraction, including fracking which accommodates all working patterns P PPSupport divestment from fossil fuel industries PInvest in skills such as customer service and catering to enhance the visitor experience in new economies including all public sector pensions such as tourism PPRemove the legal duty to promote the gas industry PPModernise licensing laws to support the hospitality PPSupport smart metering in domestic and business industry properties PPReform Company Law to enhance social responsibility PPReintroduce a renewable heat incentive scheme PPPush for carer-friendly employer policies across all sectors PPPromote cooperatives and community ownership PPSupport unionisation and the right to collective bargaining PPSeek the implementation of the recommendations of the New Economics Foundation report ‘Good Jobs in Northern Ireland’

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Housing Transport Green Party candidates for the Assembly It is unacceptable that almost half of households in We all need transport, whether for work, health, Northern Ireland are in fuel poverty and that people education or leisure. Accessible public transport is election on 5 May 2016 are dying on our streets due to being homeless. It is important not only in terms of sustainability but also for disappointing that the Executive has wasted many social and economic equality. opportunities to ensure that everyone has decent living conditions. Northern Ireland’s public transport network is woefully underfunded. The rise in traffic, congestion and This needs to be addressed. pollution increases stress, the risk of accidents and ill health. The Green Party will The Green Party will PPDraw together the many diverse funding streams for energy efficiency measures under a one stop Green PPRebalance transport spend towards public transport New Deal model and active travel PPMeet housing need and tackle homelessness through PPSupport the retention of free public transport for incentivising the building of 2,000 units of energy people over 60 and seek to extend it to other users efficient social housing a year to meet lifelong living PPEncourage cycling by supporting moves to expand Steven Agnew Clare Bailey Ross Brown needs North Down Belfast South Belfast East greenways PPAbolish the priority need category for homeless PPEnsure that all road upgrades include provision for applicants so that every homeless person can seek cycling help PPSupport increased spending on cycle infrastructure PPProtect the Supporting People budget throughout Northern Ireland to the value of £25 per PPContinue to oppose the bedroom tax person PPSupport legislation for rent controls and longer PPPropose that a module on awareness of cyclists and tenancies pedestrians becomes part of the driving test PPIncrease support for the SmartMove NI model for PPAllow contra-flow cycling in specifically signed, one- private rentals way streets with low volumes of traffic, as is the norm in most European cities PPWork with mortgage lenders and other private sector sources to ensure advice and assistance is available PPExpand public transport, especially in rural areas for struggling home owners PPSimplify and integrate ticketing and fare structures Tanya Jones Ciaran McClean Malachai O’Hara Fermanagh & South Tyrone West Tyrone PPSupport resident participation structures in social across the public transport system North Belfast and private housing sectors PPExplore the reopening of railway connections PPReform of the rating system including the lifting of PPEncourage the use of smaller, flexible electric the rates cap or hybrid vehicles and investment in the electric charging network PPIntroduce a default 20mph speed limit in residential areas and round schools PPSupport a change in the law to ‘presumed liability’ to protect the most vulnerable road users PPCall for a moratorium on new road build projects with a focus on better maintenance of existing road infrastructure

Daniel Barrios-O’Neill Georgia Grainger Ellen Murray Lagan Valley Strangford West Belfast

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Green Party candidates for the Assembly election on 5 May 2016

Amber Hammill Stefan Taylor Helen Farley East L Derry Mid Ulster South Antrim The Queer Greens have The have produced a manifesto produced a manifesto outlining what each and highlighting some of every Green Party candidate the Green Party policies will strive to achieve for which will help young the LGBTQ community in people the most. Northern Ireland. We are proud to promote and equal We are calling for better healthcare, society, a good education, a clean John Hardy Jennifer Breslin Mary Hassan education, justice and legal reform. environment, a people’s democracy South Down North Antrim Foyle Read the Queer Greens manifesto and a fair economy. online at: http://bit.ly/1XCDQQz Read the Young Greens manifesto online at: http://bit.ly/1XCDOIv

Dawn Patterson Simon Lee Michael Watters East Antrim Upper Bann Newry and Armagh

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