EU criticises NI Environment Department

The Northern Ireland Department of Environment could soon be in breach of European law because of its failure to identify special conservation areas in Northern Ireland.

The European Commission (EC) has criticised the DoE for failing to draw up a `satisfactory’ list of special conservation areas for protection and could soon be in breach of European law.

Paramilitaries are cheating the exchequer out of £1bn (€1.55bn) every year through illegal fuel smuggling.

A report by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee blames paramilitary organisations for smuggling illegal fuel, which is allegedly being sold at half of Northern Ireland’s filling stations.