Debate contribution: Independent Environmental Protection Agency: Establishment

Debate contribution by Mr Declan Kearney on 10 November 2025.

MLA: Mr Declan Kearney
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 10 November 2025
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Opposition Business
Heading: Independent Environmental Protection Agency: Establishment
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5225288

Text

We are living through one of the worst ecological and diversity declines in Europe, so our party supports the urgent establishment of an independent environmental protection agency. That is an unfulfilled commitment from 'New Decade, New Approach' in 2020. The delay is not good enough. We need to be seized with an urgency to deal with our environmental and biodiversity crisis. Therefore, we welcome the motion from the SDLP. I also welcome the Minister's engagement on the issues thus far. The most shocking example of the dilemma — the existential crisis — that we face is the ecological catastrophe in Lough Neagh. I regret the dismissive approach that the SDLP Member who spoke took in relation to the centrality of the lough. That flies in the face —.
Yes.
If I said "SDLP", that was a misspeak
My remarks were directed towards the intervention from the Member of the DUP who spoke.
Thank you, Deputy Speaker, and thank you, Matthew. Those dismissive remarks detract from the centrality of the lough to this important conversation. They fly in the face of the views of local stakeholders — those who live and work around the lough shore — who want to see the establishment of an independent environmental agency. Just transition principles, Lough Neagh and the need to lift the issue above politics must be our shared and collective focus. The environment and how we challenge that issue in the Assembly should be above party politics. It is a national emergency that requires a North/South intergovernmental response. It demands concerted and joint political action from the Assembly, the Executive and the Irish Government. The pollution in Lough Neagh has deep and complex repercussions for the lough shore community. It jeopardises the commercial fishing industry and the entire biodiversity of the lough itself. It endangers our sustainable access to safe drinking water. It damages tourism and other economic opportunities and the rich historical heritage that is associated with Lough Neagh. The total collapse of eel fishing in the 2025 season illustrates how the environmental crisis is devastating livelihoods and economic activity along the lough shore. Research from the Office for Environmental Protection reports that the North has lost approximately 50% of its diversity during the past 50 years. Many of our fresh waterways, rivers and lakes are failing to meet healthy ecological standards. A recent report from Friends of the Earth reveals that, between 2020 and 2024, 4,202 water pollution incidents were reported by NIEA. Incredibly, from that total, only 63 fines were imposed on the polluters. Such an inadequate and ineffective response will never deter the polluters. Pollution will continue unchecked in the absence of an appropriate agency that is equipped with the capacity and remit to properly sanction those responsible for polluting our land, waterways and air. The commitment made five years ago to establish an independent and properly resourced environmental protection agency must be delivered without further delay. Inaction will lead to the greater devastation of our environment and natural habitat. Time is running out. We need to act now.

510 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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