Latest releases
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40 releases
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McMurray welcomes proposed actions by Minister Muir to address odour concerns in Warrenpoint
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray welcomes proposed actions by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to tackle odour concerns in Warrenpoint, including expanded water quality testing and a multi-agency response led by DAERA. He also asks residents to document issues and send them to a designated address.
Environment and climate Issue: Warrenpoint odour concerns meeting with DAERA Minister Andrew Muir Original release: McMurray welcomes proposed actions by Minister Muir to address odour concerns in Warrenpoint (opens in a new tab)
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Brogan comments on audit office waste report
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan says accurate waste data is crucial to cutting waste and meeting climate targets, citing councils' results in the Audit Office report on waste management. She says NIEA is not required to track landfill capacity and urges the DAERA Minister to set a firm timeline for…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Audit Office report on waste management Original release: Brogan comments on audit office waste report (opens in a new tab)
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McMurray secures meeting with DAERA Minister over Warrenpoint stench.
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray says he has secured a meeting with the DAERA Minister over foul odours affecting residents in Warrenpoint, reported since 2023 and investigated by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. He calls the stenches shocking and pledges to keep working with…
Environment and climate Issue: Warrenpoint foul odours meeting with DAERA Minister Original release: McMurray secures meeting with DAERA Minister over Warrenpoint stench. (opens in a new tab)
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Tackling ammonia levels requires more than just addressing planning application backlog, says Blair
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA says a DUP motion on on-farm investment does not address ammonia emissions, arguing that clearing the backlog of planning applications with insufficient mitigations will not reduce levels enough.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DUP motion on on-farm investment and ammonia emissions Original release: Tackling ammonia levels requires more than just addressing planning application backlog, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Blair commends disposable vape ban on Earth Day 2024
Alliance's environment spokesperson John Blair MLA backs the DAERA Minister's proposed ban on disposable vapes on Earth Day, arguing they add plastic waste that litters streets and harms oceans and wildlife.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA proposed ban on disposable vapes in Northern Ireland Original release: Blair commends disposable vape ban on Earth Day 2024 (opens in a new tab)
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New recycling and waste management proposals are fantastic news for the environment, says Blair
Alliance MLA John Blair welcomes a 12-week DAERA consultation on recycling and waste, saying its 26 proposals could raise household recycling from 51 to 74 per cent. He urges the public to respond.
Environment and climate Issue: Department 12-week recycling and waste management consultation launch Original release: New recycling and waste management proposals are fantastic news for the environment, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Recycling should be an integral part of our everyday lives, says Muir
Alliance Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir MLA calls for recycling to become an everyday activity in homes, workplaces and public settings, as he launches a 12-week consultation on 26 proposals to improve recycling and waste management.
Environment and climate Issue: Department 12-week recycling and waste management consultation launch Original release: Recycling should be an integral part of our everyday lives, says Muir (opens in a new tab)
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Warrenpoint says ‘Enough is Enough’ to Harbour Authority – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard says public patience has run out with Warrenpoint Harbour Authority over recurring foul smells from the Port, after meeting senior management. He welcomes an independent investigation and a forthcoming Environmental Officer, and calls for the report to be published…
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Warrenpoint Port foul smells independent investigation and Environmental Officer Original release: Warrenpoint says ‘Enough is Enough’ to Harbour Authority – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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Blair calls for greater effort in maximising recycling opportunities
Alliance's Agriculture and Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA calls for Northern Ireland to lead on recycling after touring local recycling facilities with Keep Recycling Local. He urges councils to shift away from co-mingled collections toward separation at source, which he says gives better…
Environment and climate Local government Original release: Blair calls for greater effort in maximising recycling opportunities (opens in a new tab)
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Plastic pollution a serious concern for people in Northern Ireland and must be addressed urgently, says Nicholl
Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl, Chair of the All-Party Group on Climate Action, calls for urgent action on plastic pollution after a Tearfund poll found 75% of people in Northern Ireland concerned about global plastic waste. She says she will write to the Environment Secretary to press for a strong…
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: Tearfund poll on public concern about plastic waste Original release: Plastic pollution a serious concern for people in Northern Ireland and must be addressed urgently, says Nicholl (opens in a new tab)
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Blair calls for greater cooperation to prevent further environmental damage
Alliance Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA calls for greater inter-agency cooperation to address threats to Northern Ireland's environment, rivers and oceans, citing plastic pollution on UN World Environment Day. He says the absence of a local minister and Executive has delayed progress and…
Environment and climate Local government Original release: Blair calls for greater cooperation to prevent further environmental damage (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney seeking meeting with Department for Infrastructure following Hightown incinerator court ruling
South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney says he is disappointed that the Hightown incinerator, after a High Court ruling, is expected to return to the Department for Infrastructure for a fresh decision. He says he will seek a meeting with senior officials to clarify the department's position.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Hightown incinerator High Court ruling and Department for Infrastructure reconsideration Original release: Kearney seeking meeting with Department for Infrastructure following Hightown incinerator court ruling (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Deposit Return Scheme effectiveness depends on cross-border cooperation
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has written to DAERA and Irish Minister Ossian Smyth asking for an all-island approach to the planned Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers, which DAERA says will launch in Northern Ireland in 2025. He argues cross-border working would deter fraud and bring economies…
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA confirmation of 2025 Deposit Return Scheme launch in Northern Ireland Original release: Durkan: Deposit Return Scheme effectiveness depends on cross-border cooperation (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan urges action on single-use plastics ban
SDLP Climate Change Spokesperson Mark H Durkan urges the North to move forward with a ban on single-use plastics after England announced one would proceed before year's end. He points to Scotland's ban, Wales' plans and the New Decade, New Approach pledge on plastic pollution.
Environment and climate Issue: England single-use plastics ban announcement January 2023 Original release: Durkan urges action on single-use plastics ban (opens in a new tab)
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High air pollution demonstrates need for urgent and consistent action on air quality, says Alliance MLAs
Alliance MLAs John Blair and Paula Bradshaw say high air pollution warnings in parts of the north west show air quality needs urgent action from the incoming Executive. Blair blames the outgoing minister for refusing extra monitoring sites and says the Clean Air Strategy has not been delivered.
Environment and climate Health Issue: North west Northern Ireland high air pollution warnings December 2022 Original release: High air pollution demonstrates need for urgent and consistent action on air quality, says Alliance MLAs (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter calls for progress on single-use plastics ban
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter urges action on banning single-use plastics in the North, noting Scotland introduced such a ban last week. She says the New Decade, New Approach pledge to end plastic pollution has seen little progress and blames the lack of a functioning Stormont.
Environment and climate Issue: Scotland single-use plastics ban introduction Original release: Hunter calls for progress on single-use plastics ban (opens in a new tab)
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McKee calls for plan to finally end plastic pollution this Marine Week
Green Party councillor Barry McKee calls on DAERA Minister Edwin Poots to produce a plan to end plastic pollution during Marine Week, noting no plan has followed a 2021 call for evidence. He also points to Ards and North Down council's single-use plastic ban and refill scheme and urges a shift to…
Environment and climate Local government Original release: McKee calls for plan to finally end plastic pollution this Marine Week (opens in a new tab)
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McKeown: Action needed now to tackle "mountains of waste"
SDLP Councillor Gary McKeown calls for firm action on fly-tipping in south Belfast, citing residents in Stranmillis, the Holylands and lower Lisburn Road. He has written to the council Chief Executive seeking a meeting on targeted investigation, enforcement and prosecution.
Environment and climate Local government Original release: McKeown: Action needed now to tackle "mountains of waste" (opens in a new tab)
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Dereliction of Exec Duty on Clean Air, Says Green Party Deputy Leader
Green Party Deputy Leader Cllr Malachai O'Hara accuses the Executive parties of neglecting air quality by not producing a Clean Air Strategy, as Clean Air Day passes. He calls for the adoption of WHO air pollution limits, a ban on polluting fuels, and enabling legislation for clean air zones.
Environment and climate Health Original release: Dereliction of Exec Duty on Clean Air, Says Green Party Deputy Leader (opens in a new tab)
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Dereliction of Duty on Clean Air, Says Green Party Deputy
Green Party Deputy Leader Mal O'Hara accuses the Executive parties of neglecting their responsibilities by not producing a Clean Air Strategy for Northern Ireland, and calls for one that bans polluting fuels, enables clean air zones and adopts WHO pollution limits.
Environment and climate Health Issue: Clean Air Day and absence of a Northern Ireland Clean Air Strategy Original release: Dereliction of Duty on Clean Air, Says Green Party Deputy (opens in a new tab)