§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the establishment of an environmental protection agency in Northern Ireland. [27169]
§ Mr. MossA prior options study completed earlier this year concluded that a next steps agency should be set up, within the Department, from 1 April 1996, responsible for the implementation of environmental policies in Northern Ireland. It rejected the concept of an independent environmental protection agency. Work is now on schedule to set up the new agency.