The body, which will replace the former Environment and Heritage Service, was unveiled by NI environment minister Sammy Wilson on Tuesday (July1), when he pledged it would be better equipped to provide clear guidance to companies and crack down on waste crime.
In particular, the minister said that two £2 million would be invested over the next three years in Better Regulation, 40 new jobs would be created to help business comply with environmental regulation, and that there would be an Environmental Crime Unit to tackle serious environmental offences.
Mr Wilson said: “Through its ‘Better Regulation for a Better Environment' programme, the NIEA will support businesses by providing clearer guidance, better information and a simpler permitting process. These are significant changes to take away the mountains of paperwork and replace them with sensible, streamlined measures such as online application and payments.”
Strengthen
The Environmental Crime Unit will tackle serious offences and persistent offenders, building on the experience and inter-agency partnerships in the specialised team established to tackle waste crime.
Since 2003, that team has investigated 5,779 incidents, secured 299 convictions resulting in over £670,000 in court fines, 13 prison sentences and 4 confiscation orders totalling over £833,000.
Mr Wilson said: “Common sense tells us to protect our environment and the NIEA will help make that common practice. It's not just a new name but a new way of working to make sure we keep the quality of our natural and built heritage and enable companies and communities to thrive.”
Transparency
The Agency also plans to be more transparent than its predecessor by appointing independent board members, holding board meetings in public and producing information leaflets explaining the environmental and economic benefits of the new Agency.
“This open approach symbolises the way in which the new Agency will build on the success of its predecessor by taking away the barriers, bureaucracy and burden. As a better regulator the NIEA will deliver a better environment and better bottom line for business,” added Mr Wilson.
The post of NIEA chief executive is yet to be decided and will be the subject of an open competition which will be advertised over the coming months.
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