Stormont Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has revealed that a review of the newly-formed Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is scheduled for 2011, after the next Assembly elections.

The Minister defended the NIEA - previously known as the Environment and Heritage Service - which many environmental campaigners claim cannot be effective unless it is independent from government.

Mr Wilson told MLAs that time needed to pass for a proper assessment of the agency to take place.

He insisted in the four months since it had been in operation, NIEA had already forged a strong record which stood proud against the performance of independent environmental protection agencies.

Minister Wilson said: "With the creation of NIEA has come a fresh approach to protecting our environment and built heritage.

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"You only have to look at how NIEA has handled challenges such as water pollution to see how the agency has taken on board the criticism levelled at its predecessor, the Environment and Heritage Service and responded to people's demands."

The Minister paid tribute to the staff and management, who he said are experts in their field, and praised them for the way they have embraced change and driven it forward.

"It is all very well for NIEA's critics to cry on the sidelines because they did not get the type of environmental protection agency they wanted. It is also ridiculous for them to declare the agency is not fit for purpose after just four months in existence.

"Time needs to pass for the work of the agency to be properly assessed. That is why my predecessor announced in May that a review would take place in 2011. However it will not take place in the lifetime of this Assembly."

Mr Wilson told MLA's of the 'fresh approach' brought by NIEA.

Changes included all NIEA board meetings were being held in public; independent board members would be appointed soon and also a new chief executive; a total of £2m had been earmarked over the next three years for better regulation; a commitment to create 40 new posts to help Northern Ireland businesses comply with environmental regulations; and an Agency-wide Environmental Crime Unit is being set up to tackle serious offences and persistent offenders.

Mr Wilson called on NIEA's critics to 'face up to the reality' that there was no prospect of the agency being suddenly replaced by an independent environmental protection agency.

(PR/JM)