Green Party NI Leader Mal O'Hara said "The environmental policy of these 5 executive parties is like fake grass. It only looks like the real thing from the distance. When you get close, you realise it's actually detrimental to the environment.

Lough Neagh is dying before our eyes, with the responsibility lying at the feet of these 5 parties that pursued industrialised farming on behalf of big agri-food. The Executive plan for recovery is focused on awareness and education rather than fines and enforcement. They have rowed back from the commitment in New Decade New Approach to establish an Independent Environmental Protection Agency in their newest Programme for Government. Northern Ireland emits higher per capita emissions than anywhere else on these islands. Our air is toxic. Our soil quality is deteriorating and none of our rivers, lakes and coastal plains meet a good standard. Northern Ireland is the 12th worst place in the world for species loss. That is the responsibility for those that have been in power for 27 years and have done precious little to address it."

Mal continued 'It is welcome that today the Assembly voted for the creation of a Climate Commissioner, which should hold government to account on its environmental record. This is a key part of the Climate Act that Green MLAs ensured happened in 2022. Let's hope today is a sea change in approach from the Executive parties."