AQW 34826/11-15

Mr Steven Agnew
Green Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 26/06/2014
Answered On Date: 11/07/2014
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to AQW 33401/11-15, (i) how many times in previous years the issue of unregulated sand extraction from Lough Neagh Special Protection Area has been raised with his Department; (ii) who raised the matter; (iii) for what reasons did his Department not pursue enforcement action; and (iv) who is responsible for taking the decisions not to pursue enforcement action.

Answer:

The Department’s records indicate that the matter was discussed during the production of the Lough Neagh Development Study Report in 1991.

It is unclear from the Department’s records what decisions were made concerning the pursuit of any potential enforcement action and who was responsible for taking decisions concerning this.

You will be aware that I am now engaged with officials to regulate this development.