Arlene Foster welcomes enforcement report

Environment Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed the Criminal Justice Inspection (CJI) report on her department’s work on enforcement.

The Minister said that she was encouraged by the positive comments in the report on the good enforcement work already being carried out by the DOE. She added: "Since the beginning of 2006 the DOE has initiated more than 29,000 enforcement actions and prosecutions. While my department is always prepared to help, advise, and give guidance on any regulations concerning vehicle licensing, environmental or planning issues, it will not hesitate to prosecute or to invoke any sanctions open to it against those who flout the law or disregard regulations.

“I am therefore buoyed and encouraged by this report and I will study its recommendations closely before making a formal response."

The report reaffirms that enforcement is an integral part of the Department’s pursuit of polluters.

Notes to Editors:

1. Dedicated enforcement teams in each of the Planning Service’s Divisional Offices and the Special Studies team at HQ investigate any alleged breaches of planning control.
2. Environment and Heritage service (EHS) assumed responsibility for waste management enforcement in late 2003. The Environmental Crime Section is responsible for investigating illegal waste incidents, and deals with upwards of 1400 reports of alleged illegal waste activities per year
3. Due to enforcement action by the DVA, the rate of Vehicle Excise Duty Evasion (VED) has reduced by 50% since 2002. Currently it is at 5%. DVA Licensing has three Automatic Number Reading Camera units and three wheelclamping units operating here.
4. News media information contact DOE Press Office 02890540003 and out-of-office-hours call the EIS Duty Press Officer on 07699 715440.