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Patsy McGlone 18th November 2010

McGlone challenges minister further on DOE inefficiencies

SDLP Stormont Environment Committee Deputy Chair Patsy McGlone challenged the Environment Minister and his senior officials further over inefficiency in the Department of Environment (DOE) that is holding back important legislation.

Mr McGlone was speaking after Environment Minister Edwin Poots was called before the committee on Thursday:

“I put it to the minister that the current backlog in the department is unacceptable and would not be tolerated in the private sector and should not be tolerated in the public sector.

“A quick look at the DOE’s works’ programme shows a worrying list of inefficiency. It’s the committee’s job to scrutinise the minister and his department.

“However, that process is currently stagnating because legislation is not even reaching the committee, thereby blocking that scrutiny mechanism and putting huge delay in passing legislation.

“The most recent research shows that from 70 pieces of legislation currently with the minister awaiting process, 30 are overdue with a further nine due to be before the committee by December. At current rate, over half of these will not make their December deadline.

“The department has previously presided over the ePIC IT system debacle; four years late with a £7m overspend. Road Freight Operator Licensing system legislation is two years late. Other areas affected by this inefficiency include reforms to local government, climate and waste, planning and natural resources, road safety, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, the Driver and Vehicle Agency and the Planning Service.

“In light of these serious management deficiencies it’s for the minister and senior officials at the department to restore confidence in its ability to deliver for community at a time when it needs it most. Is it little wonder it has earned the nickname the ‘Department for reasons why not to, dither and delay’?”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Area

Legislation/Amendment/Consultation

Dept aim

Status

Local Government

General Grant Amendment

Oct-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Pension Scheme Amendment

Oct-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Consult - LG Cllr Payments

Oct-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Consult - Cllrs Remuneration Panel

Oct-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Consult - LG Capital Finance

Oct-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Consult - LG Rates Support Grant

Oct-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Consult - LG Investment & Capitalisation

Oct-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

Climate & Waste

Producer Responsibilty Regulations

Nov-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Landfill Regulations

Sep-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Synopsis Consult restriction waste in landfill

Nov-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

Planning &

Control of Regulations - SL1

Sep-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

Natural Resources

Water Framework Directive - SL1

Oct-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Consult - Control of pollution, oil storage

Sep-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Review of Identified Bathing Waters

Nov-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Transposition of Waste Framework Dir

Nov-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Biodiversity Duty Guidance

Sep-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

Road Safety Division

Road Traffic Fixed Penalty Regulations

Oct-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Road Traffic Fixed Penalty Regulations

Oct-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Road Traffic Order

Oct-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Motor Vehicles Regulations

Nov-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Amend Motor Vehicles Regulations SL1

Nov-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Consult Reform of L & R Driver Scheme

Sep-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Consult Bus & Coach Contruction regulations

Sep-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Consult Interim Taxi Operator Licensing

Sep-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

consult Taxi meter

Sep-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Consult Extension of DVA Powers

Oct-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

NIEA

Consult NIEA Enforcement Policy

Sep-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

DVA

Amendments motor vehicles Regs SL1

Oct-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

 

Fee review

Oct-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

Planning Service

Consult Planning Regulations

Nov-10

Not Forwarded to Committee Yet

       
       

31 done, 30 not done yet

    

Plus 9 more due to be with Committee by Dec 2010