Tough targets for carbon emissions should be attached to funding for bonfires and other community festivals, it was claimed today.
Stormont environment committee chairman, Patsy McGlone, was speaking amid health concerns for residents living close to the Ballycraigy pyre, containing thousands of toxic tyres in Antrim.
The debris is the height of two houses and there have been calls for it to be demolished to protect people living nearby.
Bonfires across Northern Ireland are to be lit tonight on the eve of July 12th celebrations of the Battle of the Boyne.
SDLP MLA Mr McGlone said: "It makes a mockery of statutory agencies where these thugs are intimidating the people of their own areas to erect these things close to houses.
"The issue could be looked at in the context of environmental governance in terms of cutting carbon emissions from events sponsored by local councils."
Mr McGlone will play a part in establishing stringent proposals for tackling climate change in Northern Ireland, a matter to be legislated on at the Assembly. It is illegal to burn tyres but the authorities have to receive reports from local people and many are unwilling to come forward.
The problem has diminished in recent years after talks with community representatives.
Mr McGlone said the matter had been discussed at a meeting of Cookstown District Council last night. "Council officials have been commissioned to draw up eco-friendly guidelines for funding and the conditions for funding were to be that they comply with the environmental targets," he added.
The proposals were supported by every party except the Democratic Unionists. Unionist representatives across the North have recognised the dangers of tyres being added to bonfires and are engaged in dialogue to end the practice.
PA