Why we need your help identifying good and bad regulation!

Background

QPANI and other Construction Colleagues within the Construction Industry Group have begun discussions with NIEA Officials within the Better Regulation Team on implementing “Better Regulation” initiatives within the wider Construction Industry. Having read the BR programme we are convinced that there is a real opportunity to develop a very useful partnership between the regulatory bodies and the business community. In the main, people are responsible and want to act in a way that does not damage the Environment, they simply want to do the right thing. We have gone on record before stating that industry wishes to see a regulatory process that is fair, that is efficient, is well communicated and rewards organisations who actively identify and manage their risks to the Environment. We also want to see strong enforcement and penalties that create a level playing field and protects legitimate businesses. The Industry view in the past supported the call for an independent Environmental Protection Agency a view that was based on the fact that we did not have the type of Environmental Regulation that the Better Regulation Programme envisages. The industry strongly welcomes the move to have a more pro active and advisory approach to regulation. If we reach the stage of court and prosecution then everyone loses, including the Environment. We strongly support the wish to streamline regulation by creating a permit to operate that will incorporate different forms of existing permits such as IPC, Water Discharge consent etc.  We now look forward to working with the regulatory agencies to create a vibrant and growing economy and at the same time deliver a world class environment that we can hand to our children.

What we need from our members?

For any representative organisation to be effective in its lobbying and ability to change Government policy and legislation it requires accurate and relevant information from its members. As you have read above QPANI believe that there is real potential within the Better Regulation Programme to create more streamlined environmental regulations to deliver real benefits for businesses and the environment. QPANI will work in partnership with others to raise awareness of environmental regulations and good practice, and to improve the link between the regulator and the regulated business community.

The Association would ask that where you have experienced good and bad regulation by officials, from across all public sector bodies, that you document and report your experience to the Association by completing the attached “Better Regulation Report”. The report can be completed online on our website at www.qpani.org and will be treated in the strictest confidence with no specific company names being identified.

Information obtained by this reporting system will be taken by QPANI to the Better Regulation Board, Chaired by the Environment Minister and on which we sit, and to the Construction Industry Group Better Regulation Task Group who will work closely with the NIEA Better Regulation Team.

If you require any further information please contact the Regional Director, Gordon Best, on 02890824078 or mobile 07876 136929 email gbest@qpani.org