The report published in October 2007 assessed the contribution that the department made to the criminal justice system including how it carries out its regulatory responsibilities in protecting the environment and improving road safety.
Referring to the report the Minister said: “I have fully considered the CJI Report and am content that it contains a fair and balanced assessment of the enforcement activity undertaken by my department while also seeing it as a very helpful opportunity to raise the profile of environmental protection in Northern Ireland.
In responding to the range of recommendations contained within the report Mr Wilson also added that: “I am pleased to be able to confirm that my department has accepted and will act upon the vast majority of the CJI recommendations. While it had not been possible to respond sooner on the detailed recommendations contained within the report pending a decision on the future direction of environmental governance in Northern Ireland a detailed Action Plan has now been prepared setting out the steps and timescale to implement each recommendation.”
Notes to Editors:
- The CJI Report was published on 10 October 2007 following an inspection of the enforcement activities undertaken by Environment and Heritage Service, Planning Service and Driver & Vehicle Agency.
- The Department’s response in the form of an Action Plan was delayed due to the close link between a number of the recommendations and the review of Environmental Governance. On 27 May, the then Environment Minister Arlene Foster announced in the Assembly that she would be setting up a new Environment Agency on 1 July 2008 and this enabled work to be finalised on the Department’s Action Plan.
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