Environment Minister Edwin Poots has announced the appointment of Malcolm Beatty OBE as a Northern Ireland Non-Executive Member of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP).

The appointment to the OEP is effective for a five year term from 1 April 2022.

Confirming the new appointment, Minister Edwin Poots said: "Approval for the OEP to operate in Northern Ireland was recently sought and obtained from the NI Assembly. The OEP extended its remit to function here on 28 February and I have taken steps to ensure a NI member was in place as soon as was practicable.

"I want to welcome Malcolm into this new role. He brings a depth of knowledge, skills and experience, not only in matters relating to the environment and the countryside, but also in governance, leadership and decision making. Malcolm will bring extensive knowledge and insight on NI matters to the OEP board."

Dame Glenys Stacey, Chair of the OEP, said: "I very much look forward to welcoming Malcolm to the OEP Board. I know that he brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience and that he will make a valuable contribution to our work to protect and improve the environment.

"We are now focused on putting everything in place to enable us to act on our welcome new responsibilities in Northern Ireland and this appointment is another significant step forward."

The functions of the OEP will be to: provide independent scrutiny and advice on environmental law and policy; investigate environmental complaints; and, if necessary, take enforcement action against public authorities who breach environmental law.