A Stormont department is to be investigated by the Office for Environmental Protection over an alleged failure to comply with environmental laws by not adopting an Environmental Improvement Plan.
The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is being investigated by the OEP, a public body which protects and improves the environment by holding government departments to account.
The Environmental Improvement Plan, a legal requirement under the Environment Act 2021, was brought before the Executive by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir earlier this year but has yet to be agreed.
The EIP is widely regarded as a ‘blueprint’ of how government will deliver on its environmental goals to protect and improve Northern Ireland’s environment now and in the future.
A separate report and plan to combat environmental issues relating to Lough Neagh has also yet to be agreed by the Executive.
Mr Muir told a meeting of the Stormont’s AERA committee that he was “bitterly disappointed” the Environmental Improvement Plan is yet to be agreed by the Executive.
“The OEP’s action in relation to this are unsurprising, but also very, very concerning,” the DAERA minister told the committee.
“I would urge my Executive colleagues to adopt the Environmental Improvement Plan at the next meeting.
“As the weeks and months progressed without agreement in relation to that, and that’s not for the want of trying in terms of providing additional information and answering any queries, we also made a decision to get the Lough Neagh report and action plan tabled so hopefully we can get both agreed as a twin track approach.”
Natalie Prosser, the CEO of the OEP said it was ‘vital’ that the plan was implemented, and that further enforcement could see DAERA brought before the courts.
“Publishing the EIP is not simply a matter of lawfulness and good governance, although that is important,” Ms Prosser said.
“The EIP is essential for transparency over the steps government intends to take that will tackle the environmental challenges facing Northern Ireland, and for driving delivery of those steps. It should provide a roadmap to how Northern Ireland’s environment is to be significantly improved.”
“We know when it comes to the environment that time is not on our side. The recent issues seen at Lough Neagh highlight the need for urgent action to protect the environment. The EIP is a vital part of that, and delays to its publication and implementation must be kept to a minimum.”
The OEP investigation began on June 3, but details have only now been released because of the period of sensitivity in the run-up to the general election.
DAERA has two months to respond to the investigation notice from its date of issue. The response will allow the department to set out whether it agrees with the OEP’s view, and whether it agrees or not, to set out any proposed actions to address the issue.
