The Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 serves as the pivotal legislative framework for Northern Ireland and governs the protection of the aquatic environment. The order also provides powers to take enforcement action against uncontrolled discharges that are a risk of pollution to the aquatic environment. A person guilty of an offence under article 7 of the order is liable on conviction:

"to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to a fine not exceeding £20,000 or to both."

Whilst the Northern Ireland Environment Agency proactively regulates and enforces current regulations to protect our environment, I recognise that we need to do more.

That is why I have allocated resources from my departmental budget to strengthen regulation and enforcement, particularly in relation to water quality. That will enable the establishment of an enforcement team dedicated to tackling the problems of Lough Neagh and its catchment, together with a commitment to see radical changes to the regulatory approach currently set out in the statement of regulatory principles and intent, otherwise known as "SORPI", relating to NI Water discharges. Enforcement action is taken against non-compliance in line with DAERA's enforcement policy. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency undertakes a range of enforcement actions from warning letters to the issuing of statutory notices and prosecutions.