AQW 14087/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 04/02/2021
Answered On Date: 12/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (i) when the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) will commence operations in Northern Ireland; and (ii) to detail the scope of the OEP’s work in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

The Environment Bill (“the Bill”) includes a range of provisions relating to Northern Ireland devolved matters including the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP).

The Bill has been subject to delay in its passage through Parliament, largely as a result of the Covid crisis. Most recently the Bill was paused at Report Stage in Westminster on 26th January 2021 to allow it to carry over into the next Parliamentary session, which is expected to commence in May. UK Ministers have said they expect Royal Assent in autumn 2021.

DAERA officials are working with the Chair-designate and Interim Chief Executive of the OEP and with Defra colleagues to undertake as much preparatory work as possible. In the meantime interim arrangements have been put in place. Commencement is, ultimately, subject to Northern Ireland Assembly approval.

Detail on the scope of the OEP’s functions can be found in Schedule 3 to the Bill. In short, the OEP will provide independent scrutiny and advice on the development and implementation of environmental law and policy; investigate environmental complaints from members of the public; and oversee the delivery of environmental law by public authorities, taking steps to bring about compliance where necessary.

DAERA launched a discussion document on Environmental Plans, Principles and Governance for Northern Ireland on 10 December 2020, part of which seeks the views of the public and stakeholder groups on the proposed operational arrangements and functions of the OEP. The discussion document closes on 26 February.