Alliance Leader hails success in Environmental Protection Agency debate

5.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 25th Sep 2007

Alliance Leader David Ford has hailed the progress made towards creating an Environmental Protection Agency following today's Assembly debate on the motion which he proposed.

David Ford said: "Today's unanimous success in the Assembly vote sends out a very strong message. It's time to set up an Environmental Protection Agency to protect our wildlife and surroundings from those who would destroy it.

"I am particularly pleased to have secured assurances from the Minister, Arlene Foster, that she will return to the Assembly with costings before Christmas. This is a significant step forward on the part of the Department.

"Clearly, the establishment of an independent Agency will take time, given the range of responsibilities which currently lie across five different Departments. However, the message has been sent out.

"The motion I proposed was a call for action and we have gained a successful result."