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On Monday, we showed you our interview with Environment Minister Lisel Alamilla, about the BTIA's accusation that the National Environmental Appraisal Committee and the Department of the Environment acted irresponsibly when they gave the environmental green light to Norwegian Cruise Line's Harvest Caye Project. As has been widely reported, the company wants to build a cruise port in the south.

But, their complaint was against NCL itself, claiming that the company's Environmental Impact Appraisal was inadequate, failed to meet environmental standards, and basically done only because they wanted the project to get to the next stage.

That's a major allegation to make against an international company, which depends heavily on its reputation of environmental friendliness to do business abroad. So, when we got the opportunity today, we asked one of its senior executives to make a comment. Here's how Collin Murphy, the Vice President of Destinations and Strategic Development responded:

Colin Murphy - V.P. of Destination and Strategic Development, NCL
"My understanding is that the BTIA has concerns over the development. I seem to recall that they first registered their concerns more than a year ago, before really, they knew what the project was. So really, they were against it before they had much in the way of information. My understanding is that they've written a letter to the Department of Environment expressing their concerns in the EIA and in the process. That does not involve us, so we have to kind of rely on DOE, which will respond appropriately, I'm sure. But certainly, we're very confident in our science; we're very confident in our EIA, and we'll let that situation play out."

Daniel Ortiz
"The decision to approve the EIA, they're saying that they may institute judicial review proceedings, which is a court case. So, at what point, does it become too expensive or does it become too onerous on the company to push through this development? When is it not beneficial to NCL?"

Colin Murphy
"I don't think that we will reach that point. We not involved in the dispute with DOE or their complaint to DOE. We will probably not be involved if there is judicial proceeding. We don't think - again, we're very confident in our science. We think that science is on our side, and we think that we'll be moving forward quickly with our project

Daniel Ortiz
"I know that you say that you're not directly involved, but you are the subject of their complaint. They're saying that your project is not environmentally sound. So, then is there a point at which your company would say, 'You know what-'"

Colin Murphy
"That we would walk away, No."

Daniel Ortiz
"There will be no point like that."

Colin Murphy
"No. This is going to happen; we understand that they're not happy, and they've registered their complaint. Obviously, they're entitled to their opinion. They're entitled to take whatever action they think is necessary. We don't agree with them; we think they're wrong, and we will persevere. So this is - as the Prime Minister said in the House, this is going to happen, get used to it, and it is going to happen, and we believe that."

Daniel Ortiz
"Now, sir, we've just gone through an entire tour in which your company shows that it is very environmentally responsible when it's on its ship, but there is this perception in Belize that things happen here that wouldn't happen if it were in another country. So, how do you allay the fears of those in the Belizean public that you will respect our laws as if they were in another country?"

Colin Murphy
"Not only will we respect the laws, but in the same way as this ship operates under international regulations; we regularly exceed those, in terms of our performance. Our performance is often higher than those required by international law. So, number 1, of course we will respect the laws of Belize. It's very likely that the operating standards that we use will be far higher than those are used by other businesses and other stakeholders in Belize. We have an international reputation to protect, as we consider ourselves to be stewards of the ocean. We take this extremely seriously, and it would be very foolish of us to ignore; we should ignore that at our peril. Our passengers are very conscious; our passengers come to Belize and more and more now they are educated and know what Belize is and they understand the fact that the environment is fragile. So, of course, we are going to respect the laws of Belize, we are going to exceed their expectations in terms of the environment and we will always do that no matter where we are. And we operate in some of the most sensitive areas of the world, as you know." 

According to Murphy, the DOE is now working on an environmental compliance plan (ECP) for the Harvest Caye Project.