Muir disappointed over DUP opposition to environmental protection body

A Stormont minister has said he is “extremely disappointed” about DUP opposition to the establishment of an independent environmental protection agency (EPA) for Northern Ireland.

Environment Minister Andrew Muir told the Northern Ireland Assembly that objections to an EPA were “illogical” and held by those who don’t care about the environment.

A recommendation for an independent EPA was made in a recent review of environmental governance.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK and Ireland that does not have its own independent environmental protection agency.

However, the DUP has raised concerns over how a body would be funded and how it would interact with existing regulatory bodies.

During ministerial question time on Tuesday, Mr Muir said he was seeking Executive support for the establishment of an EPA, but pointed out that DUP MLAs had voted against a motion in support of establishing the body at the Assembly on Monday night.

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said there was growing frustration at the “snail’s pace” movement over establishing an EPA and asked for a guarantee that the minister would bring forward legislation before the end of the current Assembly mandate.

Mr Muir said: “I would like to see that legislated for within this mandate.

“But I must say I am extremely disappointed at the outcome of the vote last night, where some of my DUP Executive colleagues voted against the motion which was in front of the House to set up an independent environmental protection agency.”

Alliance Party MLA Danny Donnelly said deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly was among those who voted against the motion.

Mr Muir said: “The environmental challenges we have in Northern Ireland, the situation in relation to waste crime, in relation to Mobuoy, Lough Neagh, the list continues.

“The case for an independent environmental protection agency is clear and it does really, really frustrate me and disappoint me that the DUP are taking the approach that they are.

“Their lack of care for the environment and the consideration of the need for us to take further action to protect it for future generations is deeply disappointing.”

SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan asked if the minister could fix the “mess” in the environment given the “fractious relationships within this disastrous Executive”.

Mr Muir said: “I believe in powersharing, I believe in working together with people, that is what these institutions are based upon, I will continue to do that and I will continue to push for an independent environmental protection agency, despite the illogical objections from others.”

He added: “The opposition to this sits with the DUP and that is why I believe in reform of these institutions.

“The majority of people in this Assembly have voted and said they want an independent environment protection agency.

“That is why we need to have these institutions reformed, so we can take decisions, but also so we can end the cycle of stop-go government, which has really damaged our environment and it is something we want to fix to ensure that when one party leaves, the show continues.

“There is no rhyme nor reason to the objections to an independent environment protection agency, apart from you don’t care about the environment.”