AQW 9035/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 19/10/2020
Answered On Date: 29/10/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for details on the recruitment process for establishing the Office for Environmental Protection in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

The commencement of the provisions relating to the extension of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) to Northern Ireland is subject to the future approval of the Assembly. Details of the recruitment process for the OEP in NI are still at an early stage of development. However, DAERA officials are engaged in preparatory work with Defra to consider detailed operational arrangements, including recruitment.