During today’s
Question
Time Environment Minister, Mark Durkan, revealed the changes he is making
to the Environmental Crime Unit as a result of the recent Criminal Justice Inspection
review of the Unit. The review recommended that the Department develops a more
rigorous approach to dealing with environmental crime offenders. A new temporary
Head of the environmental crime unit has been appointed with a view to ensuring
the vital role is filled on a permanent basis. Guidelines have been developed
for levels of enforcement and how to prioritise investigations. Officials are
also investigating how to advance the mechanism for reporting environmental
incidents with the view that “the easier it is to let us know, the more likely
it will be that people will tell us about environmental offending and allow us
to take action.” The Minister added that “it is clear that the impact of
environmental crime on daily life here should not be underestimated. As I have
said here before, it is not a victimless crime.”
During the
topical question period Mr Durkan discussed the plans
to increase tractor speed limits. The Minister explained that the vast
majority of accidents in which speed and tractors were in involved occurred as
a result of the tractor travelling too slowly. A consultation document has
recently been released proposing that the speed limit for tractors is increased
from 20mph to 25 mph. The document also addresses the issue of tractors towing
large trailers and the possibility of increasing the maximum combined weight.
The closing date of the consultation is 7 July 2015 and the Minister was eager
to encourage replies, not just from individual stakeholders, but from the
parties in the Chamber as well.
During
Question Time the Minister also answered questions on maintenance of the Roe
Valley Country Park, wind turbine planning applications, the Local Government
Staff Commission and the burning of tyres on bonfires.
