Environment Minister launches the Northern Ireland Environment Agency

Environment Minister Sammy Wilson today vowed the new Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) would forge an effective partnership with business in delivering a strong and safe environment.

As he formally launched the Agency, which replaces the Environment and Heritage Service, in Carrickfergus Castle the Minister announced a range of new measures to modernise and strengthen environmental regulation.

He also said NIEA would be better equipped to tackle pollution, protect natural and built heritage and provide clear guidance to companies. “The environment and the economy do not need to be competitors although unfortunately there are some who see it that way. They can be partners helping us to build a stronger and better Northern Ireland. Common sense tells us to protect our environment and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency will help make that common practice. It’s not just a new name but a new way of working to make sure we keep the quality of our natural and built heritage and enable companies and communities to thrive.

“Through its ‘Better Regulation for a Better Environment’ programme, the NIEA will support businesses by providing clearer guidance, better information and a simpler permitting process. These are significant changes to take away the mountains of paperwork and replace them with sensible, streamlined measures such as on-line application and payments.

The Minister announced:

• £2million would be invested over the next three years for Better Regulation;
• The creation of 40 new posts in the Agency to help Northern Ireland’s businesses comply with environmental regulations;
• An Agency- wide Environmental Crime Unit to tackle serious offences and persistent offenders.

Mr Wilson emphasised the importance of Northern Ireland’s natural landscape and built heritage, and its link with tourism which brings £376million to the Northern Ireland Economy - an income almost on a par with agriculture.

He said: “It’s not simply about complying with European Directives or the management of assets which include: seven country parks, 60 nature reserves or 183 historic sites like this iconic castle. It is also about the business advantage in attracting inward investors who want their families to enjoy Northern Ireland’s clean and diverse environment in the same way that our families and over two million tourists do every year.”

The Minister said NIEA would be a better regulator because it would provide more information, more education and more direct support for business and their environmental management systems.

The appointment of independent board members and holding of board meetings in public will herald the start of a new era of openness and accountability. Announcing a new range of information leaflets he explained: “These multilingual leaflets are part of making sure all of Northern Ireland’s natural and built assets are accessible to all communities and visitors. This open approach symbolises the way in which the new Agency will build on the success of its predecessor by taking away the barriers, bureaucracy and burden. As a better regulator the NIEA will deliver a better environment and better bottom line for business.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Environmental Crime Unit will tackle serious offences and persistent offenders, building on the experience and inter-agency partnerships in the specialised team established to tackle waste crime. Since 2003 that team investigated 5,779 incidents, secured 299 convictions resulting in over £670,000 in court fines, 13 prison sentences and 4 confiscation orders totalling over £833,000.
2. The post of Chief Executive for the Northern Ireland Environment Agency will be the subject of an open competition which will be advertised over the coming months.
3. The cost of changing the name from EHS to NIEA is estimated at £30,000. This mainly comprises minor changes to signage, uniforms, vehicle livery and the website.
4. The continuing survival of our built heritage means providing as many opportunities as possible for people to engage with, and enjoy, this valuable resource. As a pilot exercise the Carrickfergus Castle visitor booklet has been translated into:Cantonese, French, Irish, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Ulster-Scots.Subject to the success of this project more language translations at more sites will follow.
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