DAERA Minister seeks agreement on independent watchdog for environmental protection

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has called for agreement to establish an independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Northern Ireland, following the publication of an expert panel report recommending stronger, more accountable environmental governance.

Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Minister Muir outlined plans for the creation of a non-departmental public body (NDPB) under the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

The new body would operate independently, overseen by an independent board led by a non-executive chair, and would have full operational autonomy.

The proposal forms part of commitments made under the Programme for Government and the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement in 2020, which pledged that a restored Executive would establish an independent environmental protection agency.

Minister Muir said:

“I have always firmly believed in an Independent Environmental Protection Agency for Northern Ireland. For too long our environment and nature have suffered from a lack of robust protections and we are all seeing the consequences.

“This short sharp, comprehensive review has provided the foundations upon which to build a brighter future for our environment. We can’t continue to dodge this critical issue. Now is the time for action, the people of Northern Ireland expect and deserve it.”

He stressed that Northern Ireland is currently the only region across the UK and Ireland without an independent environmental agency, a situation he described as “simply not sustainable.”

“The costs of inaction are simply too great,” he added.

“We should look no further than Lough Neagh or the illegal dump at Mobuoy which, as you will know, could cost hundreds of millions of pounds to resolve.

“Restoring trust and confidence in environmental protection is crucial for the economy and for our communities. Better and more accountable regulation will create a fair and level playing field for all.”

The Independent Review of Environmental Governance in Northern Ireland, commissioned by DAERA, has now been published in full. It sets out the case for reforming how environmental oversight and enforcement are carried out, particularly in light of ongoing ecological crises such as pollution in Lough Neagh and long-term waste management failures.

Environmental organisations have welcomed the announcement.

RSPB NI described the Minister’s statement as “an important step forward for environmental governance in Northern Ireland”, highlighting that “the evidence is clear that our current system is failing both nature and people.”

Sharon Thompson, RSPB NI’s Head of Policy & Advocacy, said:

“We welcome the Minister’s proposals, but what nature really needs is action now. The Executive must act urgently to ensure legislation is brought forward that establishes an independent Environmental Protection Agency, as well as bringing into law nature recovery targets that this Agency will need to ensure are delivered. Nature can’t wait.”

The Minister’s full oral statement to the Assembly is available on the DAERA website, along with the full Independent Review of Environmental Governance in NI report.