AQW 32930/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 07/10/2025
Answered On Date: 17/10/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether his Department intends to review the level of fines and sanctions available for illegal discharges into waterways.

Answer:

My Department is currently undertaking a public consultation on policy proposals aimed at strengthening the protection of the water environment. This consultation, which closes on 6 November 2025, will inform the development of the forthcoming Fisheries and Water Environment Bill.

The proposed policies seek to enhance the enforcement regime by introducing more robust measures to deter non-compliance, improve regulatory control, and strengthen enforcement capabilities.

Through the Bill, I intend to increase existing fines and penalties to bring them into alignment with those in other jurisdictions for a range of offences, such as illegal discharges into waterways. Additionally, the Bill will provide the power to introduce Fixed Penalty Notices and both Fixed and Variable Monetary Penalties for a spectrum of offences impacting the water environment. These measures are designed to provide a more immediate and proportionate deterrent for minor and moderate breaches of environmental legislation.