24 October 2000

SAM FOSTER WELCOMES KEY ROLE FOR ENVIRONMENT IN PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT

Minister of the Environment, Sam Foster, today welcomed the Programme for Government announced in the Assembly by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

He said: "Today's Programme for Government clearly recognises the crucial importance of the environment, not only for its own sake but also for a healthy community and for a competitive economy. This builds on last week's draft Budget allocation, involving a 14.4% funding increase for the DOE, a clear signal that the Executive has recognised the need to deal with the radical under-funding of environment, road safety and local government functions under Direct Rule.

"As the Programme for Government highlights, a good quality environment is of major importance to the personal health of everyone in the future. That is why the Executive has committed itself to preparing Sustainable Development and Biodiversity strategies for Northern Ireland. Working to ensure that the additional £10m allocated in the DOE draft budget for implementing EU Directives will help to improve our air, land and water quality.

"This is also crucial in securing a competitive economy, particularly in promoting tourism and inward investment.

"Moreover a more efficient planning process will make a major contribution, and I have already initiated a review of planning processes within our Planning Service, which will also receive extra resources to deal with its rising workload."

The Minister also welcomed the recognition in the Programme for Government of the crucial importance of Road Safety.

"Early in the year, I announced that I am increasing the number of Road Safety Education Officers and intensifying the Road Safety advertising campaign. The Programme for Government commits the Executive to a new Road Safety Plan which will set out a strategy for further reductions in the totally unacceptable carnage on our roads."

Mr Foster also welcomed the commitment to a review of public administration in the Programme for Government. He pledged that he would play his part to ensure an efficient and effective local government for local ratepayers and that District Councils would be fully consulted.

He added: "I want also to do everything in my power to help District Councils keep District Rates as low as possible. Through the proposed additional funding for DOE, District Rate bills will be lower next year than they would otherwise need to be."

Mr Foster concluded: "The Programme for Government clearly demonstrates how a locally elected Executive can make a real and positive difference. I now look forward to a constructive dialogue with the Assembly and Committees on it."

 

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

For further information please contact Philip Maguire, DOE Press Office,

Tel: 028 9054 0013.