published by DOE and the Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER). This report was based on climate change projections made by the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP).Q. What is NIEA doing in response to climate change?
A. Our statutory functions and objectives are subject to pressures many of which may be affected by climate change. Anticipated climate change impacts in Northern Ireland may impact on our management of water quality, our work to support biodiversity, and in the maintenance of our built heritage. For this reason we are undertaking studies into the vulnerability of our activities to climate change. We also play an active part in the work of the Northern Ireland Climate Change Impacts Partnership (NICCIP). For more information on our work in relation to climate change see our Climate Change pages.
The evidence for climate impact in Northern Ireland has most recently been presented in the 2007 report 'Preparing for Climate Change in Northern Ireland' published by DOE and the Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER). This report was based on climate change projections made by the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP).
Answers to many commonly asked questions on climate change can be found at the UKCIP website:
UKCIP FAQs.
Q. What is the DOEs policy on Enforcement?
A. Northern Ireland Environment Agency's (NIEA) current Enforcement Policy, published in 2002, is based on fair but firm regulation. Details of our Enforcement and Prosecution Policy (.PDF 166Kb) are available on our website.
As part of NIEAs Better Regulation commitment to clear, fair and firm enforcement a review of the policy has now been completed. View details of the Consultation document draft revised enforcement policy(.PDF 235Kb).
Q. Who are our counterparts in the Republic of Ireland and rest of the UK?
A. - In the Republic of Ireland the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has responsibilities for a wide range of licensing, enforcement, monitoring and assessment activities associated with environmental protection.
-The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is Scotland’s environmental regulator. It is responsible for the protection of the natural environment in Scotland and includes air, land, freshwater and marine environments.
- In England and Wales the Environment Agency (EA) is the leading public body for protecting and improving the environment. Their remit includes the protection and regulation of air, land and water.
Q. How do I contact NIEA staff? And where are they based?
A. Contact details are available from our Contact Details section. Our organisational structure is also available.
Q. When was NIEA set up and who does it report to?
A. NIEA was set up in July 2007 by the current DOE Minister Mr Sammy Wilson. The previously named Environment and Heritage Service was established in 1996 as an Executive Agency within the DOE under the Government’s Next Steps Initiative. The press release from Northern Ireland Executive on the launch of NIEA is available from their website.
Q. What is NIEAs mission/aim?
A. This can be found on our About NIEA page.
Q. What properties do the NIEA manage?
A. Check out our Places to Visit section.
Q. What jobs are available in the NIEA and who do I contact regarding applying?
A. There are a wide variety of jobs available in NIEA from administrative to scientific and professional roles as well as a number of different working patterns and options for staff. These include permanent and temporary posts, full time, part time and job share working hours, and summer placements. NIEA recruits through the NICS centralized service HR Connect, and for temporary placements, sometimes through external recruitment agencies.