The line-up of Northern Ireland's new devolved Government is beginning to take shape, with the parties announcing nominations for the ministerial portfolios. Following March's election and the historic deal to share power between the Democratic Unionist Part (DUP) and Sinn Fein, local politicians will take power on 8 May 2007. The power sharing executive will have four DUP ministers, three from Sinn Fein, two from the Ulster Unionist Part (UUP) and one from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). In addition, DUP leader Reverend Ian Paisley becomes first minister, with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness as his deputy.
Other notable appointments include Michael McGimpsey as the new health minister, Conor Cooper will be minister for regional development, Michelle Gildernew is in charge of agriculture and Arlene Foster will be the environment minister. Foster has already moved to assure campaign groups that she has an "open mind" on whether Northern Ireland should have an independent green watchdog. She plans to meet environmental groups pressing for the change at an early stage and hopes to meet the chairman of the Review of Environmental Governance, which is the Government panel currently examining the subject.
Their report is expected to recommend some form of new environmental protection agency (EPA), which would involve the transfer of part of the functions of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland (DoE NI) to a body that is publicly funded, but operates out of central government control. Its likely roles could include acting as a general champion for the environment, as well as enforcing anti-pollution and nature protection Regulations. Other parts of the UK and the Republic have had an EPA for a number of years, a point that is being made by green campaigners.
