The Retained EU Law (Revocation & Reform) (REUL) Bill has come under criticism for the potential impact to environmental protection across Northern Ireland.

Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd met with a number of environmental organisations including the RSPB, Ulster Wildlife and Friends of the Earth. He heard the concerns around the possible reversal and diminution of vital environmental protections and rights across NI that the introduction of this REUL Bill will have.

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Minister O'Dowd added: "Our conversation today centred on the essential protections that are currently in place for the natural environment and public health and the importance of maintaining these protections as well as the impact this Bill may have on the services provided by my own Department. 

"I am also deeply concerned that the Bill cuts across the devolution settlement and Sewel Convention and that any interaction between the Bill and the Protocol is not fully understood."