Northern Ireland remains the only part of the United Kingdom without an independent environmental watchdog, despite repeated government promises to establish one, according to alarming new revelations.
Broken Promises and Environmental Concerns
Campaigners from Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland have expressed outrage after discovering that work on creating an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been completely halted. The organisation has obtained documents showing the initiative has been shelved indefinitely.
Rebecca Black, reporting for the PA news agency, uncovered that the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) confirmed the EPA proposal is "not currently being progressed" despite being a key commitment in the 2020 New Decade, New Approach deal that restored power-sharing.
What This Means for Northern Ireland's Environment
The absence of an independent environmental regulator creates several critical problems:
- No dedicated body to hold government and polluters accountable
- Weakened enforcement of environmental regulations
- Reduced protection for Northern Ireland's unique ecosystems
- Potential threats to public health from pollution incidents
Campaigners Voice Their Anger
James Orr, director of Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland, didn't mince words: "The Government's decision to halt work on an Environmental Protection Agency is an act of environmental vandalism and a betrayal of public trust."
He emphasised the severity of the situation, noting that "Northern Ireland is now the only part of these islands that does not have an independent environmental watchdog." This leaves the region vulnerable to environmental degradation without proper oversight.
Government Response and Next Steps
While DAERA maintains it remains committed to "enhancing environmental governance," the department has provided no timeline for when—or if—the EPA establishment will resume. This ambiguity has further frustrated environmental advocates who see the delay as part of a pattern of neglected environmental commitments.
The situation raises serious questions about Northern Ireland's ability to meet its climate targets and protect its natural heritage without the independent scrutiny that other UK nations benefit from.
