The Minister said: “The governance of our community is back where it belongs, in the hands of its own people. I know that we will be faced with many tests. I am also fully aware that the challenges – not least of which will be coming to a satisfactory resolution to the review of public administration - are probably without precedent. But I am not daunted.
“I believe that the subjects my department deals with are not only vital to the creation of a sustainable community, but are also intrinsic to the quality of all our lives, irrespective of where we live or what our political allegiances are.
“I regard it as a privilege to be charged with the responsibility for all of these topics on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland. I will work closely with my colleagues and with all the key stakeholders to build a society which will be an example of good practice on environmental issues – a society which will be attractive to visitors and investors and of which all of us who live here can be proud.”
