01/02/2008
Pressure Is On For New Environmental Agency
The pressure is on for Environment Minister Arlene Foster to make a decision soon on setting up an environmental protection agency for NI.
Assembly ministers and members of the business community have called for the agency to be set up.
Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK and Ireland that does not have such an independent watchdog however environmental work is currently performed by the DOE's Environment and Heritage Service.
Twenty-one statements of support for an EPA are being issued by the Coalition for Environmental Protection.
The statements were collated by Lisa Fagan of Friends of the Earth.
"Although the call to establish an agency came first from the environmental community, the chorus of support is getting louder as the consensus grows that a high-quality environment underpins economic prosperity," she said.
"Mrs Foster has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform our failing system of environmental protection.
"We hope the endorsements published today will encourage the Minister to introduce the necessary reforms."
Peter Dixon, Head of Phoenix Gas in Northern Ireland, is also in support: "The establishment of such an agency would greatly support the Northern Ireland business community by the promotion and communication of environmental best practice."
He said that given that we now govern our own affairs it is time for a fresh start.
(GK/JM)
Assembly ministers and members of the business community have called for the agency to be set up.
Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK and Ireland that does not have such an independent watchdog however environmental work is currently performed by the DOE's Environment and Heritage Service.
Twenty-one statements of support for an EPA are being issued by the Coalition for Environmental Protection.
The statements were collated by Lisa Fagan of Friends of the Earth.
"Although the call to establish an agency came first from the environmental community, the chorus of support is getting louder as the consensus grows that a high-quality environment underpins economic prosperity," she said.
"Mrs Foster has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform our failing system of environmental protection.
"We hope the endorsements published today will encourage the Minister to introduce the necessary reforms."
Peter Dixon, Head of Phoenix Gas in Northern Ireland, is also in support: "The establishment of such an agency would greatly support the Northern Ireland business community by the promotion and communication of environmental best practice."
He said that given that we now govern our own affairs it is time for a fresh start.
(GK/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 May 2024
SDLP Calls For Delivery On 100th Day Of Reformed Executive
Marking the 100th day since the return of the Executive, the SDLP have tabled a series of proposals aimed at setting firm timeframes for delivery ahead of the third Official Opposition Day at Stormont.
SDLP Calls For Delivery On 100th Day Of Reformed Executive
Marking the 100th day since the return of the Executive, the SDLP have tabled a series of proposals aimed at setting firm timeframes for delivery ahead of the third Official Opposition Day at Stormont.
25 February 2009
Fish Death Polluters 'Let Off The Hook'
A failure to detect and prosecute those responsible for a huge fresh water fish kill last year has been slammed. Alliance Sustainability Spokesperson Cllr Alan Lawther said those responsible for such pollution shouldn't be 'let off the hook'.
Fish Death Polluters 'Let Off The Hook'
A failure to detect and prosecute those responsible for a huge fresh water fish kill last year has been slammed. Alliance Sustainability Spokesperson Cllr Alan Lawther said those responsible for such pollution shouldn't be 'let off the hook'.
08 March 2022
New Environmental Protections For NI
Environment Minister Edwin Poots has welcomed new legislative provisions providing additional environmental protections for Northern Ireland.
New Environmental Protections For NI
Environment Minister Edwin Poots has welcomed new legislative provisions providing additional environmental protections for Northern Ireland.
30 September 2024
NI Executive Approves Environmental Improvement Plan
The Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir has welcomed the Executive's approval of Northern Ireland's first Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP).
NI Executive Approves Environmental Improvement Plan
The Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir has welcomed the Executive's approval of Northern Ireland's first Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP).
05 September 2022
Poots Publishes New Future Agricultural Policy for NI
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Edwin Poots has announced the publication of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Statement for the Future Agricultural Policy for Northern Ireland.
Poots Publishes New Future Agricultural Policy for NI
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Edwin Poots has announced the publication of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Statement for the Future Agricultural Policy for Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.