News Release Page Title

28 February 2006

INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE

Environment Minister Jeff Rooker has appointed a panel of independent experts to take forward a review of environmental governance.

The Minister said: "The Secretary of State is committed to putting the environment at the top of the political agenda in Northern Ireland as demonstrated by his decision to create an Environment and Renewable Energy Fund.

"Last July, I announced my intention to set in motion a review of Environmental Governance here. I am confirming the appointment of a panel of independent experts to review the structure, management and resourcing of the publicly funded elements of environmental governance.

"The panel is chaired by Tom Burke, supported by Professor Sharon Turner and Gordon Bell I have asked the panel to make recommendations to improve the performance, responsiveness and accountability of the environmental governance system.

"The review will be participative in approach and the panel will conduct its work in an open and transparent fashion, consulting widely with experts, stakeholders and the general public.

"This is an opportunity for the people of Northern Ireland to have their voices heard and I encourage individuals and organisations to actively engage with the review."

The review will be carried out within 12 months and will present and publish a report of interim findings in summer 2006 for public consultation. It will examine models of environmental protection agencies in other jurisdictions and assess the best possible model for Northern Ireland's unique environment.

The review launched its website today at http://www.regni.info. The website will be regularly updated and all evidence gathered and considered by the review will be posted. It will have full details of how the public and organisations can contact the review panel.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. Tom Burke CBE is an Environmental Policy Advisor to Rio Tinto plc and a Visiting Professor at Imperial College, London.

  2. Professor Sharon Turner is a Chair of Environmental Law at Queen's University, Belfast.

  3. Gordon Bell recently took early retirement from his post as Managing Director of Liberty IT, the Belfast-based subsidiary of US based Liberty Mutual Group (LMG).

  4. In May 2004 the Coalition for Environmental Protection launched a report by Professor Richard Macrory entitled 'Transparency and Trust: Reshaping Environmental Governance in Northern Ireland' for public consultation. In October 2004 the coalition published an analysis of the comments received and indicated that the majority of respondents were in favour of the establishment of an independent environment protection body in Northern Ireland.

  5. The review is commissioned and funded by Government but is independent of Government.

  6. The review's work and conclusions will be underpinned by clear evidence gathered through research, public participation in the process and the experience of environmental governance in other jurisdictions, in these islands and beyond.

  7. The review terms of reference can be found on the website http://www.regni.info

  8. For further information on the Panel to Review of Environmental Governance, contact the Secretary, Evelyn Hoy, 028 9054 4581.

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