Lough Neagh: NIEA Powers

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs – in the Northern Ireland Assembly am 3:00 pm ar 17 Mehefin 2024.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Andrew Muir Andrew Muir Alliance 3:00, 17 Mehefin 2024

I thank the Member for her question. It is important that enforcement action that we take around environmental crime, particularly in relation to water pollution, is fair and balanced. I am aware of the concerns about Northern Ireland Water and the arrangements that are in place, which are known as "SORPI", between the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and Northern Ireland Water. I made it clear in the documentary that we need to call time on SORPI. I want to engage with the Minister for Infrastructure on the issue, and I have been engaging with my officials on it. The situation in which Northern Ireland Water gets, essentially, a bye-ball for the pollution of our waterways needs to end.