To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail (i) why the Environmental Improvement Plan has not been published; and (ii) how the plan will address pollution incidents in our waterways and seas.

(i) I am in the process of seeking Executive approval for the draft Environment Strategy and its adoption as Northern Ireland’s first Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP). I continue to work with my Executive colleagues to address any issues raised and it remains my wish that the EIP is published as soon as is practicable.

(ii) The Environmental Improvement Plan contains a range of measures designed to reduce both point source and diffuse water pollution, including, for example: a review of River Basin Management plans to incorporate revised consideration of the Lough Neagh blue-green algae issues; the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme, which will provide soil analysis, risk maps and nutrient management training to farmers to reduce excess run-off of nutrients to watercourses; and, ecological modelling frameworks intended to integrate catchment management with coastal water quality.

Whilst the EIP will take a strategic approach to the challenges facing our environment, collective action will be required across government, private and public sector and in the community to tackle these issues.