With your permission, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, I wish to make a statement in compliance with section 52 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 regarding the twenty-fourth North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) environment meeting, which was held in the NSMC joint secretariat offices, Armagh, on Monday 10 June 2024. Junior Minister Aisling Reilly MLA, junior Minister Pam Cameron MLA and I represented the Northern Ireland Executive at the meeting. I thank them for coming along with me. The Irish Government were represented by Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, and Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Minister Ryan TD chaired the meeting. The statement has been agreed with junior Minister Reilly and junior Minister Cameron, and I make it on behalf of us all. It was a very positive meeting, and a lot of progress was made. I will take each paper in the order in which it was discussed.

The NSMC noted that officials from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have reviewed the work programme of the NSMC environment sector. Ministers noted that both jurisdictions place a strong focus on efforts to tackle the challenges surrounding climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution and agreed a revised work programme for the environment sector.

Ministers were invited to welcome the presentation on climate change and biodiversity, entitled 'A Shared Island approach to Climate and Biodiversity Research', which highlights the potential benefits of a collaborative approach to environmental challenges, particularly in respect of climate change and biodiversity, through the themes of shared ambition, shared experience and shared opportunities and challenges.

On research funding opportunities, the NSMC welcomed the ongoing collaboration and continued delivery of environmental priorities such as those through the PEACE PLUS programme 2021-27 and the Shared Island initiative. Ministers noted the shared challenges faced in both jurisdictions and recognised that there are opportunities to work together on research to manage and protect the environment through informed, evidence-based policy development. Ministers welcomed the strong links between research bodies in both jurisdictions in the field of environmental research and agreed that both Administrations will continue to work together to maximise opportunities in environmental research, including those offered by PEACE PLUS, Horizon Europe, Ireland’s North/South research programme and the jointly funded research co-centres.

The NSMC noted that improving air quality is a key priority for both jurisdictions and acknowledged the progress achieved and the challenges faced by both Administrations in improving air quality and, in particular, strategies, initiatives and collaboration to tackle air pollution on a cross-border basis. Ministers also agreed to continue collaboration on the key issues affecting air quality such as solid fuels, communication and policy alignment.

On water quality and waste water management, the Council noted the significant issue of blue-green algae and its impacts on water quality and the safety of water use and the new approaches needed to address its causes and manage monitoring. The current position in relation to the particular challenges surrounding Lough Neagh was highlighted. The NSMC noted that departmental officials and wider stakeholders across both jurisdictions are actively sharing knowledge and expertise on water quality issues including through the North/South water framework directive coordination group.

Ministers welcomed the overall continued high quality of the bathing waters in both jurisdictions and noted the continued engagement between the Department for Infrastructure, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Irish Water and Northern Ireland Water on exploring opportunities for cooperation, including applications to access funding under the EU’s PEACE PLUS programme. The NSMC welcomed the opportunity for cross-jurisdictional collaboration in the pilot catchment work plan to be undertaken in the Newry, Fane, Glyde and Dee catchment.

The Council agreed to hold the next meeting in this sector in autumn 2024. I welcome the re-establishment of formal NSMC meetings and look forward to working with my counterparts in Ireland in all areas of cooperation in the environment sector. I commend the statement to the Assembly and welcome any questions.