The Green Party says the new Minister for the Environment will be a very busy man if he is to tidy up the mess left by his predecessor Sammy Wilson but his recognition of climate change and proposals regarding a plastic bag levy prove how wrong the DUP’s environmental policy has been to date.

Green Party environmental spokesperson Steven Agnew said: “It’s good to see that Minister Poots and the DUP have learned a few lessons after two years of failure on environmental matters.  Minister Poots, by adopting Green Party policy rather than challenging it, has affectively admitted the DUP’s mistakes in the area of environmental politics to date.  A plastic bag levy should have been introduced in Northern Ireland several years ago, the fact that Minister Poots is considering its introduction now, is a clear indication that both Sammy and Arlene got it wrong on this issue in the past.”

Regarding the Minister’s admittance that human activity is having an adverse influence on climate change Mr. Agnew said: “Minister Poots may become known as the u-turn Minister.  He needs to re-examine his Party’s refusal to set up an independent Environment Protection Agency.  He also needs to introduce targets for reducing carbon emissions, he must announce an independent inquiry into runway extention plans Belfast City Airport and he needs to refuse permission for an incinerator on the shores of Lough Neagh. A plastic bag levy is a good start but these other issues must be addressed.  I will be interested to hear the Minister’s views in the forthcoming weeks and months.”