29/10/2012

New NI Marine Division Announced For DoE

A new Marine Division has been announced for the Department of the Environment (DoE).

The news was revealed by Environment Minister Alex Attwood.

The Minister said the Division would deliver policy which would help to promote, protect and sustain the coastal waters around Northern Ireland.

The new Marine Division will also be responsible for taking on legislation implemented nationally, internationally and by the European Commission

The Minister had described it as a "big step forward".

"There is no doubt that our marine environment has a massive role to play in the lives of the people of Northern Ireland," he said.

"The wealth of its resources, the splendour of its biodiversity, the simple fact of it being a huge natural resource to be enjoyed, means it is vital that we concentrate our efforts to protect and sustain it."

Alex Attwood has announced he will going to the Stormont Executive shortly and "recommending that colleagues support clauses for a marine management organisation to be incorporated into the Marine Bill which is about to return to the Assembly".

"I believe bringing all marine functions across government departments into an independent marine management organisation is the way to go," he explained.

"I hope to win the argument."

(IT)

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