Miller and Carmichael urge Assembly to combat pollution

The UUP duo added that the “dire threat” posed by pollution to both the environment and people’s health affected everyone in the community.

The issue of air quality was one which crossed all religious, social, age, political and class barriers, he said.

“With legislative powers now devolved once more to our Assembly, Northern Ireland now has its own environment department run by a locally accountable minister which can tackle the pollution problems head on.

“The long-term effects of global warming of the polar ice caps, the destruction of the tropical rain forests and the condition of the earth’s ozone layer can no longer be dismissed as merely the subject matter of television documentaries.

“The Assembly now needs to construct and successfully implement a realistic environmental policy which will be of benefit to all the citizens of not just East Londonderry, but right across the whole Province, well into this third millennium, and this should especially involve a detailed survey into the air quality of our hamlets, villages, towns and cities in Northern Ireland.”

The East Londonderry UUP duo emphasised the environment would have to be “pushed up the agenda as one of major decision-making areas of the legislative Assembly”.

Mr Miller and Mr Carmichael added: “In terms of improving air quality, we especially commend the valuable contribution of one of this region’s most successful firms, Wrightbus of Ballymena, for leading by example and being at the forefront of technology designed to reduce pollution from buses.

“Indeed, the whole area of fuel types and exhaust emissions from vehicles are issues which must be examined by the Stormont Environment Minister. Likewise, the Minister’s department will have to devise an effective policy on waste management.

“We cannot allow a situation to emerge whereby Northern Ireland becomes host to a plague of so-called super dumps. The last thing East Londonderry needs is to face the menace of becoming a location for any future super dump.

“We also call for the Assembly to provide substantial grants for the installation of solar water heaters and photovoltac electric generating panels. Both these measures need very little maintenance after installation.

“We also suggest that any surplus electric should be sold to the grid, thereby generating more income which can be used to plug shortfalls in health and education budgets, for example.”

A key component in the battle to protect Northern Ireland’s environment would be the contribution made by the schools, so it was vital there was “efficient communication and co-operation” between the environment and education departments and their respective ministers, Mr Miller and Mr Carmichael added.

“A Province-wide strategy on effective waste management and recycling will only be successful if our young people are constantly educated concerning the care of their world.

“Similarly, in terms of the implementation of a workable blueprint for the environment, there needs to be a close partnership between the Assembly and the Province’s local councils.

“Such a joint approach could help develop a level of environmental protection for future generations,” said Mr Miller and Mr Carmichael.