NI Environment Agency taking up to 515 days to respond to planning consultations – The Irish News

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency is taking up to 515 days to respond to planning consultations. Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir was questioned about the situation by MLAs who described a “frustration that unites the chamber”, during questions for his department on Monday. Mr Muir said the shortest and longest response times…

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Muir to seek support to end NI Water protection from environmental penalties

Executive agreement is to be sought to end protection for Northern Ireland Water from pollution penalties. The body has operated under the special arrangement, Statement of Regulatory Principles and Intent (SoRPI), since its formation in 2007 as an acknowledgement of the antiquated wastewater infrastructure. Stormont Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir previously consulted…

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‘A very good environment for risk assets or an utterly terrible one’: Why the oil shock might have more in store for stocks

Strategists from Ninety One, Charles Stanley and J. Safra Sarasin examine why markets are so buoyant at time of heightened risk. Markets are pricing in both accelerating AI optimism and a potentially serious energy shock, according to investment strategists, creating a growing disconnect between buoyant stocks and an increasingly fragile economic backdrop. Sahil Mahtani, a…

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Epigenetic research links genetics and environment to mental disorders

Mental disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and bipolar disorder, can strongly affect daily life. They are usually caused by a mix of genetic risk and environmental factors like stress or adverse life events. But understanding how these influences work together has been a major challenge. Epigenetics helps explain this link. It refers to chemical…

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Homes England backs Homes for Nature initiative to help drive sector-wide impact for environmental sustainability

Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, has signed up to the Homes for Nature commitment, which aims to support wildlife and tackle environmental and climate challenges. Scheme members, which includes almost 30 house builders, have committed to installing a bird-nesting brick or box for every new home built, and a hedgehog highway in…

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