Addressing the Assembly on Tuesday morning, the Environment Minister ruled out an independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Northern Ireland.

The minister's own party - the DUP - were opposed to such a move. The other Executive parties all suuported the idea in principle.

Ms Foster's main reason for rejecting calls for an independent body was the associated cost. The minister estimated it would need a commitment of £2.5m and would take four years to formally establish.

Speaking in the Assembly, the minister said: "I and my party take the role of environmental governance too seriously to externalise the organisation into an outside agency.

"The return of devolution resulted in the appointment of local ministers to make decisions.

"I am opposed to the setting up of yet more quangos where unelected people take decisions on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland."

Environmentalists, anglers, business leaders and many senior politicians believe that the current Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) which is under the control of the DoE, cannot adequately protect the environment.

Ms Foster has promised to use better regulation methods and work more closely with the business sector to hamper polluters.

The minister announced from July 1, the EHS will be re-branded as the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). She also revealed two independent board members will be appointed to the body.

The issue of an EPA will be re-visited in 2011 when an independent audit would be carried out, Ms Foster added.



Foster set to reject EPA plan

Friends of the Earth director John Woods argues there is broad consensus on the need for an EPA

Ulster Farmers' Union president Graham Furey argues an independent EPA would be a waste of taxpayers' money