To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an explanation of the delay of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency in responding to planning applications as a statutory consultee.

The primary reason for NIEA delay in responding to planning applications is that the number of complex planning consultations receipted exceeds the capacity that staff in post have to respond. Contributing factors include the number of re-consultations received / the quality of information submitted, and the level of non-statutory work associated with the delivery of our planning role and responsibilities.