
Brexit and Northern Ireland: A Reading List
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
This paper provides a list of journal articles, blog articles, briefing papers and other reading materials relating to the UK’s exit from the EU…
Sources of Funding for the Voluntary and Community Sector
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
This briefing paper provides an overview of the different types of funding available from public, charitable…
Japanese knotweed
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
The following paper considers legislation in Northern Ireland (NI) across GB and the Republic of Ireland (ROI) surrounding Japanese Knotweed…
Background paper on Waste Management in Northern Ireland
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
This paper provides background information to the Committee in relation to NI waste policy…
Recycling in Germany
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
This paper provides an overview of the current state of recycling in Germany and the policy behind the approach used…
Planning, financing and delivering transport infrastructure
Research and Information Service Research Paper
This paper compares the various ways in which transport infrastructure is planned, financed and delivered…
Possible implications of ‘Brexit’ for transport and water policy
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
This paper briefly outlines the influence of the EU on the work of the Department for Infrastructure…
Forms of farm support/subsidy as operated in selected countries and associated conditions
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
This paper looks at the methods of agricultural support that are available to farmers around the world…
Examples of UK environmental legislation which pre–date EU legislation
Research and Information Service Briefing Note
The vast majority of environmental policy and legislation in NI, and the UK as a whole, is governed by the EU…
Aarhus Convention
Research and Information Service Briefing Note
The following note is in response to a Committee request concerning the responsible body or depository of the Aarhus Convention…
Northern Ireland’s environment – background and potential ‘Brexit’ considerations
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
This paper considers some of the areas under environment that may be impacted by leaving the EU…
Legislative and policy response to the risk of coastal erosion and flooding in the UK and Ireland
Research and Information Service Research Paper
Examines policy response of the UK and Irish administrations to the threat of flooding…
River pollution in Northern Ireland: An overview of causes and monitoring systems, with examples of preventative measures
Research and Information Service Research Paper
Examines the potential causes of river pollution…
Sustainable Drainage System provisions within the Water and Sewerage Services Bill
Research and Information Service Bill Paper
There is a range of legislation and policy that promotes SuDS in Northern Ireland. However, there is not…
Environmental Better Regulation Bill
Research and Information Service Bill Paper
This Bill paper gives a brief overview of the Environmental Better Regulation Bill as introduced to the Assembly on the 22 June 2015.
Car free days: A literature review
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
The concept of closing city streets to motorised traffic and opening it up to pedestrians and cyclists first gained popularity in the Colombian city of Bogotá…
Why do people cycle & what benefits does cycling bring?
Research and Information Service Research Paper
This literature review explores current understanding of what makes cycling so attractive…
Cycling for leisure, recreation and tourism
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
It has been a long standing objective of the Department for Regional Development to increase the number of people who use a bicycle to complete everyday…
Report on the Committee’s Inquiry into Wind Energy
This report sets out the key conclusions and recommendations of the Committee for the Environment on its inquiry into wind energy, and the evidence…
Wind Farm Community Benefits
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
The following paper is in relation to a request from the Environment Committee on community benefits from wind farm developments.
Co–operative Wind Farm Schemes in Scotland
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
The following paper is in response to a request from the Environment Committee for information on co–operative wind farm projects in Scotland.
Co–op Wind Farms in Northern Ireland
Research and Information Service Briefing Note
This paper provides information on the Drumlin’s Cooperative which is the first co–operative (co–op) wind farm in Northern Ireland.
Onshore Wind Power in Denmark
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
The following paper is in response to a request from the Environment Committee. It gives background to wind power in Denmark including an overview of the policy…
Background for Study Visit: Resource Efficiency
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of ‘resource efficiency’ promoted by ReNEW…
CAP Reform 2014–20: EU Agreement and Implementation in the UK and in Ireland
Research Paper
This paper sets out the reactions and emerging implementation decisions of the four countries of the UK.
Carrier bags – Environmental Impact
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
This paper is an update to the research paper from 2011 Comparison of Environmental Impact of Plastic, Paper and Cloth Bags.
Renewable Energy Initiatives within the Public Sector
Research and Information Service Research Paper
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of initiatives taken within the public sector…
The Reservoirs Bill
Research and Information Service Bill Paper
This Bill paper provides an overview of the Reservoirs Bill as introduced to the Assembly on the 20th January 2014.
Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme
Written Ministerial Statement
Written Ministerial Statement on Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme
Planning — Preparing for 2015
Written Ministerial Statement
Written Ministerial Statement on Planning – Preparing for 2015
Electricity: security of supply
Research and Information Service Briefing Note
The following paper provides an overview of evidence presented to the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee on the issue of electricity security of supply.
Electricity prices: European comparisons
Research and Information Service Research Paper
This paper compares domestic and industrial electricity prices across 32 European countries. The allocation of component costs on a per kilowatt charge basis…
Statutory Bodies in Community Planning: Scotland
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
This paper is in response to a request from the Environment Committee on the contribution of statutory bodies to community planning in Scotland.
General Power of Competence in England
Research and Information Service Briefing Note
The following paper considers the General Power of Competence under the Localism Act 2011.
Approved Wind Farm Applications and Buffer Zones
Research and Information Service Briefing Note
The following paper was requested by the Environment Committee during its consideration of a wind inquiry.
Report on the Committee’s Review into Electricity Policy
Enterprise, Trade & Investment Committee Report
Security of electricity supply is about keeping the lights on during peaks and troughs in electricity demand…
Creation of a Network of Marine Protected Areas 18/11/2013
Written Ministerial Statement
Written Ministerial Statement on the creation of a Network of Marine Protected Areas.
Climate Change Legislation and Targets
Research and Information Service Research Paper
This paper is in response to a request from the Environment Committee and gives an overview of legislation containing climate change targets…
Energy Security
Research Paper
This background briefing paper is presented to inform Members of the North/South Inter–Parliamentary Association (N/SI–PA) on the topic of energy security…
Wind Turbines: Planning and Separation Distances
Research and Information Service Research Paper
The following paper is in response to a request from the Environment Committee. It gives a summary of the planning process for wind development…
Local Government Bill
Research and Information Service Bill Paper
The following Bill paper gives a brief overview of the Local Government Bill as introduced to the Assembly on the 23rd of September 2013.
Community Planning
Research and Information Service Research Paper
The following paper is in response to a request from the Environment Committee in relation to community planning and examples.
Potential opportunities for and threats to the local sea fishing industry
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
This paper provides a brief overview of some of the potential threats and opportunities facing the sea…
High–volume Hydraulic Fracturing 16/07/13
Written Ministerial Statement
Written Ministerial Statement on High–volume Hydraulic Fracturing.
Review of Operation of PPS21 16/07/13
Written Ministerial Statement
Written Ministerial Statement on the Review of the Operation of PPS 21: Sustainable Development in the Countryside.
Waste Crime 16/7/2013
Written Ministerial Statement
Written Ministerial Statement on Waste Crime: The Threat of Criminality and Organised Crime.
Comparison of the planning systems in the four UK countries
Research Paper
This paper describes and compares the current land use planning systems operating in the four UK countries.
EU freshwater policy
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
This paper provides an overview of EU water policy since the adoption of the Water Framework Policy in 2000.
Carrier Bags Bill (2013)
Research and Information Service Bill Paper
The following paper gives an overview of the Carrier Bags Bill as introduced to the Assembly on the 3rd June 2013. It considers the steps used to increase the…
Overview of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) and the proposed European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
This paper provides an overview of European Fisheries…
Public sector renewable generation uptake
Research and Information Service Briefing Note
The following paper uses data from Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS)…
Overview of the sea fishing sector in Northern Ireland – Spring 2013
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
This paper provides a brief overview of the current state of the sea fishing sector within Northern Ireland…
Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy– Spring 2013 update
Research and Information Service Briefing Note
This paper provides a brief update on Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.
Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy – Spring 2013 update
Research and Information Service Briefing Note
This paper provides a brief update on Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.
Bovine TB and vaccination update – Spring 2013
Research and Information Service Briefing Note
This paper gives a brief update on vaccinating cattle against Bovine TB.
Census 2011: Key Statistics at Assembly Area level
Research and Information Service Research Paper
This paper contains an analysis of Key Statistics from Census 2011 for Assembly Areas under the following…
Anaerobic Digestion across the UK and Europe
Research and Information Service Research Paper
The following paper considers the use of anaerobic digestion in the UK and Europe. It explores the legislative framework in Europe and NI…
Government Support for Public Transport in Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
This paper compares the types and levels of transport subsidy paid in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Access and Liability Briefing
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
The following paper is the briefing given to the Environment Committee on Access and Liability legislation in Northern Ireland.
A Public Transport Authority for Northern Ireland
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
Public Transport Reform has been based around the formation of a transport authority for Northern Ireland. A number of different organisational models…
Planning Bill 2012
Research and Information Service Bill Paper
An overview of the clauses of the 2012 Planning Bill, and will returning to some issues during the consideration of equivalent provisions within the 2011 Act.
’Green’ job estimates: Northern Ireland
Research and Information Service Research Paper
A current estimate of jobs in Northern Ireland’s low carbon and environmental sector.
Access to the countryside in Northern Ireland
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
Prepared in response to a request from the Environment Committee for information regarding occupiers’ liability in terms of access to the countryside.
Local Government Reform Past and Present
Research and Information Service Briefing Paper
This paper considers the past Local Government Reform, before suspension of the reform programme in 2010.