Daera Minister Is Seeking Agreement for the
Establishment of an Independent Environmental Protection Agency
in Northern Ireland Following Publication of Expert Independent
Panel Report.
Speaking Before the Assembly Today, Minister Muir Set out How a
Non-departmental Public Body Ndpb) of the Department of
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Daera) Would Allow for
Better and More Accountable Environmental Protection and
Regulation.
The Ndpb Would Be Overseen by an Independent Board Led by a
Non-executive Chair and Would Have Full Operational Independence.
The Proposal Reflects Commitments to Review Environmental
Governance Under the Programme for Government As Well As the New
Decade New Approach 2020 Proposal, Which Stated a Returning
Executive Would Establish an Independent Environmental Protection
Agency.
Minister Muir Said: I Have Always Firmly Believed in an
Independent Environmental Protection Agency for Northern Ireland.
For Too Long Our Environment and Nature Have Suffered from a Lack
of Robust Protections and We Are All Seeing the
Consequences.
This Short Sharp, Comprehensive Review Has Provided the
Foundations upon Which to Build a Brighter Future for Our
Environment.We Can't Continue to Dodge This Critical Issue.Now Is
the Time for Action, the People of Northern Ireland Expect and
Deserve It.
Northern Ireland Is an Outlier As We Are the Only Region
Across the Uk and Ireland That Does Not Have an Independent
Environmental Protection Agency, and That Position Is Simply Not
Sustainable.”
He Added: The Costs of Inaction Are Simply Too Great, We
Should Look No Further than Lough Neagh or the Illegal Dump at
Mobuoy Which, As You Will Know, Could Cost Hundreds of Millions
of Pounds to Resolve.
Restoring Trust and Confidence in Environmental
Protection Is Crucial for the Economy and for Our Communities.
Better and More Accountable Regulation Will Create a Fair and
Level Playing Field for All.”
Notes to Editors:
- Link to Oral Statement – Www.Daera-ni.Gov.Uk/publications/oral-statement-assembly
- The Independent Review of Environmental Governance in Ni Is
Available to Read Here: Www.Daera-ni.Gov.Uk/publications/review-environmental-governance-ni-full-report
