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The Department of the Environment (DOE, Irish: An Roinn Comhshaoil[1]) is a devolved Northern Ireland government department in the Northern Ireland Executive. The minister with overall responsibility for the department is the Minister for the Environment.
Contents |
About
The Department's aim is to improve the quality of life for everyone in Northern Ireland through:
- the promotion of sustainable development principles in all the activities of government and wider society
- in particular, their application in DOE's responsibilities for land use, air and water quality, waste management and the natural and built environments
- the reduction of road traffic casualties; and
- the promotion of efficient and effective local government.
The Department's objectives are:
- To protect, conserve and enhance the natural environment and built heritage.
- To improve the quality of life of the people of Northern Ireland by planning and managing development in ways which are sustainable and which contribute to creating a better environment.
- To reduce road casualties.
- To support a system of Local Government which meets the needs of residents and ratepayers.
The incumbent Minister is Edwin Poots (Democratic Unionist Party).
Responsibilities
"The main responsibilities of the Department are: -
- To protect, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment for the benefit of present and future generations
- To provide land use planning which balances the development needs of the region with the protection of the environment
- To improve and promote road safety and ensure the proper regulation of drivers, vehicles and operators
- To support a system of local government which meets the needs of citizens and ratepayers."[2]
History
Following a referendum on the Belfast Agreement on 23 May 1998 and the granting of Royal Assent to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 on November 19, 1998; a Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive were established by the Labour government of Prime Minister Tony Blair. The process was known as devolution and was set up to give Northern Ireland devolved legislative powers. DOE is one of 11 devolved Northern Ireland Departments created in December 1999 by the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and The Departments (Northern Ireland) Order 1999.
Between 12th February 2000 [3] and 30th May 2000[4], and 15th October 2002[5] and 8th May 2007[6], however, devolution was suspended, and the Department became under the responsibility of Direct Rule ministers of the Northern Ireland Office. There were also two "technical" 24-hour periods of suspension on 11th August 2001 and 22nd September 2001.[7][8][9][10][11]
Ministers of the Environment
| Minister | Party | Took office | Left office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Foster | Ulster Unionist | 2 December 1999 | 11 February 2000 | |
| Office suspended | ||||
| Sam Foster | Ulster Unionist | 30 May 2000 | 20 February 2002[12] | |
| Dermot Nesbitt | Ulster Unionist | 20 February 2002 | 14 October 2002 | |
| Office suspended | ||||
| Arlene Foster | Democratic Unionist | 8 May 2007 | 9 June 2008 | |
| Sammy Wilson | Democratic Unionist | 9 June 2008 | 1 July 2009 | |
| Edwin Poots | Democratic Unionist | 1 July 2009 | ||
Direct rule ministers
During the periods of suspension, the following ministers of the Northern Ireland Office were responsible for the department:
- George Howarth (2000)
- Angela Smith (2002-05)
- Lord Rooker (2005-06)
- David Cairns (2006-07)
References
- ^ "Annual Report 2003" (in Irish). North/South Ministerial Council. http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/nsmc_annual_report_-_irish_version_(pdf_3.06mb).pdf. Retrieved on 2009-03-03. (page 30)
- ^ http://www.doeni.gov.uk/index/about_us.htm DOE
- ^ Article 2, Northern Ireland Act 2000 (Commencement) Order 2000
- ^ Article 2, Northern Ireland Act 2000 (Restoration of Devolved Government) Order 2000
- ^ Article 1, Northern Ireland Act 2000 (Suspension of Devolved Government) Order 2002
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6634373.stm
- ^ Entries under 10 August and 21 September 2001, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/2933947.stm
- ^ Article 1, Northern Ireland Act 2000 (Suspension of Devolved Government) Order 2001
- ^ Article 2, Northern Ireland Act 2000 (Restoration of Devolved Government) Order 2001
- ^ Article 1, Northern Ireland Act 2000 (Suspension of Devolved Government) (No.2) Order 2001
- ^ Article 2, Northern Ireland Act 2000 (Restoration of Devolved Government) (No.2) Order 2001
- ^ Office suspended for 24 hours on 11 August 2001 and 22 September 2001
See also
External links
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