Debate contribution: Environmental Protection Agency
Debate contribution by Mr Andrew Muir on .
- MLA
- Mr Andrew Muir
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 28 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5762309
Read the official Assembly record
Text
The establishment of an independent environmental protection agency is a matter that must be considered and agreed by the Executive. It is a necessary step in order to secure resources from the Office of the Legislative Counsel for the development and introduction of primary legislation. That step cannot be taken by my acting alone, and there is no alternative lawful mechanism that would allow the necessary legislation to be introduced. The reason that I have not been able to draft the legislation is that one party has decided not to allow it to go on the Executive agenda for decision. That is wrong, and that is why I have reached out to the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach. I have written to them to make the case for the reform of the institutions in order to end the cycle of crisis and collapse and also that of stand-off and stalemate, whereby matters are not progressed.
155 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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