The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland (DoE) has been urged this month to take a tougher approach towards hardcore offenders. Illegal dumpers and problems with foreign-registered vehicles were among the issues highlighted by the Criminal Justice Inspectorate (CJI) in a new report. It has made 15 recommendations on how the DoE and its agencies interact with the criminal justice system. Such agencies include the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), who assumed responsibility for waste management enforcement in late 2003 and investigate around 1,400 illegal waste incidents every year.
Kit Chivers of the CJI said more must be done to enhance the good enforcement work already underway. "The DoE should develop a clear statement of intent on enforcement in relation to breaches or offences of environmental, planning and road traffic law. Those who break the law gain an unfair advantage, and inequality is also created when private industry is prosecuted for environmental and planning offences, yet Government bodies are exempt from prosecution."
Environment Minister Arlene Foster welcomed the report on her department's work, and said it reaffirms that enforcement is an integral part of the DoE's pursuit of polluters. "Since the beginning of 2006, the DoE has initiated more that 29,000 enforcement actions and prosecutions. While my department is always prepared to help, advise and give guidance on any regulations concerning vehicle licensing, environmental or planning issues, it will not hesitate to prosecute or to invoke any sanctions against those who flout the law or disregard regulations."
