AQW 12516/22-27

Mr Peter McReynolds
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 24/05/2024
Answered On Date: 11/06/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether his Department has conducted research on a biodiversity net gain scheme.

Answer:

No specific research has been carried out by my department on a ‘Biodiversity Net Gain’ (BNG) scheme, however, I am very keen for environmental protection and biodiversity enhancement to be central in all the activities of my Department.

This is demonstrated by the extent of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) for the A4 Enniskillen Southern Bypass, the changes I have introduced to the Department’s approach to grass cutting along our road network, and the production of a Biodiversity Strategy by Translink, which is an Arm’s Length Body of my Department.