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O'Neill brands DUP's climate change vote a 'dereliction of duty'

Jayne McCormack
Political Correspondent
BBC Michelle O'Neill has blonde hair, a beige shirt and back jacket. BBC
Michelle O'Neill spoke to reporters on Tuesday after the NI Assembly motion

A decision by the DUP to vote against a plan for a climate change commissioner has been branded a "dereliction of duty" by First Minister Michelle O'Neill.

MLAs were debating regulations brought by the Executive Office that will provide powers to appoint a commissioner.

The DUP has previously questioned the cost of the office, estimated at £1m a year, with Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly saying she saw "no need" for the specific role.

The role was agreed in the Climate Change Act, passed by the assembly in 2022.

But the legal duty to recruit and appoint someone to the position falls to the first and deputy first ministers.

The commissioner would oversee progress made by executive departments against targets in areas like net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

'Moral duty'

PA Media Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, speaking to media at Parliament Buildings in Stormont, on Thursday April 3, 2025. She has brown hair and a black jacket with a pearl necklace and pearl earrings PA Media
Little-Pengelly has concerns over cost, added value and timing

O'Neill said unionist opposition to the role being created was "illogical" and said the assembly had a "moral duty" to help tackle climate change.

Emma Little-Pengelly distanced herself from some of the first minister's personal remarks.

She said the move was being brought forward by the office of first and deputy first ministers due to a legal requirement however, she personally has concerns over cost, added value and timing.

Penny wise and pound foolish

Ulster Unionist MLA, Robbie Butler said it would be "penny wise and pound foolish" for the DUP to suggest that the estimated cost of the commissioner's office would be spent on other areas.

He said it was not something that could be used as a "trade off".

Reflecting on the current wildfires in the Mourne Mountains, Butler said that because of climate change "the fire loading in those mountains and grassland areas is significant worse than it was 20 years ago - this is not about climate denial".

The chair of the Executive Office (TEO) committee, Paula Bradshaw accused the DUP of opposition at "last moment", she outlined that the plan for a climate change commissioner was discussed at least five times in the TEO committee.

Responding to the DUP's Harry Harvey, Bradshaw said: "You had the opportunity on many occasions to raise these concerns, to ask TEO officials for some guidance and information and you never took that opportunity."

Some 51 MLAs voted in favour of progressing with the role, while the DUP and the TUV voted against it.