Environment agency has been breath of fresh air, Wilson tells assembly

Environment Minister Sammy Wilson today revealed a review of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) would take place in 2011 but not in the lifetime of this Assembly due to elections in May that year.

The Minister insisted during an Assembly debate on environmental governance that time needed to pass for a proper assessment of the agency to take place.

However he insisted in the four months since it had been in operation, NIEA had already forged a strong record which stood proud against the performance of independent environmental protection agencies.

The Minister said: “With the creation of NIEA has come a fresh approach to protecting our environment and built heritage.

“You only have to look at how NIEA has handled challenges such as water pollution to see how the agency has taken on board the criticism levelled at its predecessor, the Environment and Heritage Service and responded to people’s demands.

“I want to pay tribute to the hard work of the staff and management who are experts in their field and for the way they have embraced change and driven it forward.

“It is all very well for NIEA’s critics to cry on the sidelines because they did not get the type of environmental protection agency they wanted. It is also ridiculous for them to declare the agency is not fit for purpose after just four months in existence.

“Time needs to pass for the work of the agency to be properly assessed. That is why my predecessor announced in May that a review would take place in 2011. However it will not take place in the lifetime of this Assembly.”

Mr Wilson reminded MLA's of the fresh approach brought by NIEA. The changes included:

All NIEA board meetings were being held in public; Independent board members would be appointed soon and also a new chief executive; A total of £2million had been earmarked over the next three years for better regulation; A commitment to create 40 new posts to help Northern Ireland businesses comply with environmental regulations; An Agency-wide Environmental Crime Unit is being set up to tackle serious offences and persistent offenders.

Mr Wilson called on NIEA’s critics to face up to the reality that there was no prospect of the agency being suddenly replaced by an independent environmental protection agency.

The Minister said: “My predecessor made a decision, a sensible decision, that the Northern Ireland Environment Agency was the best way forward for our built heritage and our environment.

“She was right to decide not to go down the route of an unelected quango. She opted instead for an agency with real teeth but also a body subject to public scrutiny. It really does not serve NIEA’s critics well to be demanding the agency be scrapped after just four months in existence.

“Under no circumstances should there be a short term assessment of the work of the agency.

“However the public should be rest assured I will be looking between now and a review at how the agency is performing and what improvements need to be made.”

Notes To Editors:

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