Closest matches to “Action needed on environment more than ever - O'Hara”
From other parties, ranked by how close their text is in meaning. Close in meaning is not the same as agreeing. Include Green Party · Back to the release
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Consequences of failing to act to protect our environment are evident, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA responds to the Northern Ireland Audit Office report on water quality in rivers and lakes, saying Northern Ireland trails the Republic on ecological status. He calls for cross-departmental action and welcomes the DAERA minister's planned…
Environment and climate Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on water quality in rivers and lakes Original release: Consequences of failing to act to protect our environment are evident, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Latest climate change report demonstrates disgraceful lack of meaningful action, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says a latest Climate Change Committee report shows the UK has lost climate leadership and Northern Ireland is behind on climate targets, calling for a Green New Deal and blaming the absence of an Executive for stalled action.
Environment and climate Original release: Latest climate change report demonstrates disgraceful lack of meaningful action, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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RSPB State of Nature 2023 report yet another stark reminder of the danger our natural environment is in, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says the RSPB State of Nature 2023 report shows Northern Ireland's species, habitats and protected areas in serious decline, and calls for DAERA to publish its nature recovery strategy promptly.
Environment and climate Original release: RSPB State of Nature 2023 report yet another stark reminder of the danger our natural environment is in, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Action needed now on environmental and biodiversity crisis – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls for urgent North-South intergovernmental action on Northern Ireland's environmental and biodiversity crisis, citing Lough Neagh pollution and only 63 fines from 4,202 NIEA-recorded water pollution incidents between 2020 and 2024, and demands an independent…
Environment and climate Original release: Action needed now on environmental and biodiversity crisis – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Fall in renewable energy rates in NI extremely disappointing, says Donnelly, following DfE report
Alliance's Danny Donnelly MLA says it is extremely disappointing that renewable energy's share of electricity fell in the last year, citing a Department for the Economy report showing 47.4% renewable consumption. He calls for a functioning Executive and possible reform of Stormont's institutions…
Environment and climate Original release: Fall in renewable energy rates in NI extremely disappointing, says Donnelly, following DfE report (opens in a new tab)
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Rivers Trust report on state of NI waters disappointing but not surprising, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says newly published Rivers Trust data showing no Northern Ireland river stretches at good overall status is disappointing but not surprising. He links the decline to agricultural run-off, sewage, invasive species and underinvestment, and calls for…
Environment and climate Issue: Rivers Trust State of Our Rivers 2024 report on Northern Ireland waters Original release: Rivers Trust report on state of NI waters disappointing but not surprising, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Environmental crisis in NI only being fuelled by lack of Executive, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says Northern Ireland has again failed on its environmental commitments after DAERA missed the deadline for its first Environment Improvement Plan. He blames the lack of a functioning Executive and calls for Assembly scrutiny and a Minister to lead.
Environment and climate Original release: Environmental crisis in NI only being fuelled by lack of Executive, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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We must all do better to reduce plastic waste on our beaches, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says everyone must do better to reduce plastic waste on beaches after the Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful Marine Litter Report found 84% of beach litter is plastic. He commends DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's work on producer responsibility and a…
Environment and climate Issue: Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful Marine Litter Report beach plastic findings Original release: We must all do better to reduce plastic waste on our beaches, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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First Environmental Improvement Plan report shows progress, but political will is vital to save our environment, says Blair
Alliance Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA says political will is vital to protect the environment after Andrew Muir released the first yearly update on the Environmental Improvement Plan, which Blair says shows progress.
Environment and climate Issue: Environmental Improvement Plan first annual progress report Original release: First Environmental Improvement Plan report shows progress, but political will is vital to save our environment, says Blair (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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One year past Environment Improvement Plan deadline despite Minister’s efforts, says Blair
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA says the Environment Improvement Plan is more urgent than ever, welcoming the DAERA Minister's efforts to secure Executive approval after the July 2023 deadline was missed. He urges the Executive to act.
Environment and climate Original release: One year past Environment Improvement Plan deadline despite Minister’s efforts, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Tree Protection Bill
Alliance Party calls for a Tree Protection Bill to strengthen legal protections for single trees, groups of trees and ancient woodland, citing a NIPSO report finding only one of 369 reported tree protection breaches led to enforcement action. The bill would reinforce Tree Preservation Orders…
Environment and climate Issue: Tree Protection Bill consultation and NIPSO tree protection breaches report Original release: Tree Protection Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Outcome of COP15 crucial to secure future for nature, says Nicholl
Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl, Chair of the All Party Group on Climate, argues ahead of COP15 in Montreal that the outcome will be crucial for nature as well as climate. She criticises the Prime Minister's decision not to attend and the Retained EU Law Bill, and says Northern Ireland's absence from…
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: COP15 UN biodiversity conference in Montreal, December 2022 Original release: Outcome of COP15 crucial to secure future for nature, says Nicholl (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 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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It’s time we start recognising the benefits of renewable energy, says Honeyford
Alliance Economy spokesperson David Honeyford MLA says Department for Economy figures showing a decline in renewable electricity use in Northern Ireland are shocking. He calls on the Economy Minister to deliver faster on renewables and meet the 2030 target of 80 percent renewable electricity.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Department for Economy electricity consumption and renewable generation report 2025 Original release: It’s time we start recognising the benefits of renewable energy, says Honeyford (opens in a new tab)
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New Strategy must mark a turning point for nature in Northern Ireland, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the launch of the Nature Recovery Strategy, calling it a chance to turn around decades of decline. He points to 12 per cent of species facing extinction and urges other parties to back the strategy without further delay.
Environment and climate Issue: Launch of Nature Recovery Strategy Original release: New Strategy must mark a turning point for nature in Northern Ireland, says Blair (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA says a Audit Office report confirms concerns that the Department for Economy's energy strategy is falling short, and calls for a revision of Northern Ireland's 2030 climate targets, citing grid connection delays, planning delays and the lack of a storage strategy.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Audit Office report on Department for the Economy green energy strategy Original release: Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets (opens in a new tab)
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“The Days of Dumping and Disappearing Must End” – Butler Demands Urgent Action on Waste Crime Crisis
UUP MLA Robbie Butler calls for immediate action after a Northern Ireland Audit Office report on waste crime, citing about £34 million in annual costs and only £1 million in court fines since 2019. He urges tougher penalties, asset seizure, cross-border enforcement and a Ministerial Statement from…
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on waste crime Original release: “The Days of Dumping and Disappearing Must End” – Butler Demands Urgent Action on Waste Crime Crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Time is running out for Environment Improvement Plan publication, says Blair
John Blair, Alliance’s Agriculture and Environment spokesperson and MLA, says the Department’s decision to postpone the Environment Improvement Plan until December, caused by Stormont’s collapse, threatens urgent action on flooding, algal blooms and biodiversity loss, and urges immediate restoration
Environment and climate Original release: Time is running out for Environment Improvement Plan publication, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Net Zero targets must be met to protect our environment – Kearney
SDLP... no, Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says Net Zero targets must be met during a Stormont debate, pointing to Lough Neagh's ecological decline, threats to eel fishing livelihoods and calls for investment in green energy such as offshore wind.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Original release: Net Zero targets must be met to protect our environment – Kearney (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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Urgent action vital to conserve and restore wetlands, says Blair
Alliance environment spokesperson John Blair MLA, marking World Wetlands Day, says action is needed now to protect and rebuild NI's wetland ecosystems. He welcomes progress on peatland restoration but says the region trails other jurisdictions and is badly underfunded.
Environment and climate Original release: Urgent action vital to conserve and restore wetlands, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Blue-green algae at Martray Lough dismaying, says Roofe
Alliance's Cllr Eddie Roofe expresses dismay at blue-green algae found at Martray Lough near Ballygawley. He urges other parties to back DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's water quality measures, including action on NI Water and farm nutrient runoff, and accuses some councillors and MLAs of opposing them.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Blue-green algae appearance at Martray Lough near Ballygawley Original release: Blue-green algae at Martray Lough dismaying, says Roofe (opens in a new tab)
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Bold and decisive action needed in 2024 to restore our natural environment, says Blair
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA calls for 2024 to bring significant progress on restoring the natural environment, citing an RSPB report on threatened species and pressing DAERA on marine strategies, Lough Neagh and the Waste Management Strategy.
Environment and climate Original release: Bold and decisive action needed in 2024 to restore our natural environment, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: Action, not more reviews needed to protect environment
SDLP AERA spokesperson and Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone says the Environment Minister Andrew Muir should deliver action, not another review of environmental governance, and prioritise an Independent Environmental Protection Agency. He cites Lough Neagh and Mobuoy as evidence.
Environment and climate Issue: Minister Andrew Muir review of environmental governance announcement Original release: McGlone: Action, not more reviews needed to protect environment (opens in a new tab)
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Marine Protected Areas Strategy crucial for healthier habitats, says Blair, following publication
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair welcomes the launch of Northern Ireland’s Marine Protected Areas Strategy by Minister Andrew Muir, calling it a vital step to restore marine and freshwater habitats, boost biodiversity and use carbon‑absorbing seagrass and kelp to aid climate action.
Environment and climate Issue: Launch of Northern Ireland Marine Protected Areas Strategy Original release: Marine Protected Areas Strategy crucial for healthier habitats, says Blair, following publication (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan to bring forward legislation to protect environment
Environment and climate Original release: Durkan to bring forward legislation to protect environment (opens in a new tab)
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Council far behind goal of planting one million trees by 2035, says Maghie
Alliance Ormiston Councillor Jenna Maghie says Belfast City Council is around 220,000 trees behind schedule on its One Million Trees initiative, which aims to plant one million native trees by 2035. She calls for the project to be reinvigorated and back on track, pointing to the Belfast Tree…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Belfast City Council One Million Trees initiative progress concerns Original release: Council far behind goal of planting one million trees by 2035, says Maghie (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna expresses concerns around removal of environment and public health protections
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna warns that the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, due for its Commons second reading, could strip environmental and nature protections in Northern Ireland. She has tabled an Early Day Motion asking ministers to halt the removal of these laws.
Environment and climate Issue: Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill second reading Original release: Hanna expresses concerns around removal of environment and public health protections (opens in a new tab)
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Environment and Nature Restoration Bill Consultation Responses
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says his Private Member's Bill would set binding environmental targets for air, water, soil and biodiversity, and calls for DAERA to set long-term and interim targets that public authorities must meet. He cites high air pollution levels.
Environment and climate Issue: Environment and Nature Restoration Bill public consultation responses Original release: Environment and Nature Restoration Bill Consultation Responses (opens in a new tab)