To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, in relation to trees being ripped down and used to light fires nearby, to outline actions his Department is taking to stop the destruction of woodland in the vicinity of Helen’s Bay beach.

My Officials have been made aware of a relatively small number of branches that have been affected in the local area, however staff are not aware of any particular incidence of actual trees being ripped down or actual areas of woodland being destroyed in order to fuel fires on Helen’s Bay beach.

The fires on Helen’s Bay beach are pre-dominantly being fuelled by members of the public bringing kiln dried logs and kindling to the site, this has been verified by the extensive evidence and packaging which has been removed from the beach areas by site staff on a regular basis.

Where NIEA staff become aware of individuals destroying woodland this would be reported to the PSNI for appropriate action as potential criminal damage, and should any members of the public observe any such activity, I would hope that they would also report this to the PSNI accordingly.

NIEA staff will continue to monitor the area for any such activity.