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Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a statutory
body responsible for protecting the environment in
Ireland. We regulate and police activities that might
otherwise cause pollution. We ensure there is solid
information on environmental trends so that necessary
actions are taken. Our priorities are protecting the Irish
environment and ensuring that development is
sustainable.
The EPA is an independent public body established in
July 1993 under the Environmental Protection Agency
Act, 1992. Its sponsor in Government is the Department
of the Environment, Community and Local Government.
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
LICENSING
We license the following to ensure that their emissions do
not endanger human health or harm the environment:
• waste facilities (e.g., landfills, incinerators, waste
transfer stations);
• large scale industrial activities (e.g., pharmaceutical
manufacturing, cement manufacturing, power plants);
• intensive agriculture;
• the contained use and controlled release of
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs);
• large petrol storage facilities;
• waste water discharges.
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT
• Conducting over 2,000 audits and inspections
of EPA licensed facilities every year.
• Overseeing local authorities’ environmental
protection responsibilities in the areas of – air,
noise, waste, waste-water and water quality.
• Working with local authorities and the Gardaí to
stamp out illegal waste activity by co-ordinating a
national enforcement network, targeting offenders,
conducting investigations and overseeing remediation.
• Prosecuting those who flout environmental law and
damage the environment as a result of their actions.
MONITORING, ANALYSING AND REPORTING ON THE
ENVIRONMENT
• Monitoring air quality and the quality of rivers, lakes,
tidal waters and ground waters; measuring water
levels and river flows.
• Independent reporting to inform decision making
by national and local government.
REGULATING IRELAND’S GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
• Quantifying Ireland’s emissions of greenhouse
gases in the context of our Kyoto commitments.
• Implementing the Emissions Trading Directive,
involving over 100 companies who are major
generators of carbon dioxide in Ireland.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
• Co-ordinating research on environmental issues
(including air and water quality, climate change,
biodiversity, environmental technologies).
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
• Assessing the impact of plans and programmes on
the Irish environment (such as waste management
and development plans).
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE
• Providing guidance to the public and to industry
on various environmental topics (including licence
applications, waste prevention and environmental
regulations).
• Generating greater environmental awareness
(through environmental television programmes
and primary and secondary schools’ resource packs).
PROACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
• Promoting waste prevention and minimisation
projects through the co-ordination of the National
Waste Prevention Programme, including input into the
implementation of Producer Responsibility Initiatives.
• Enforcing Regulations such as Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Restriction of
Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and substances that
deplete the ozone layer.
• Developing a National Hazardous Waste Management
Plan to prevent and manage hazardous waste.
MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE OF THE EPA
The organisation is managed by a full time Board,
consisting of a Director General and four Directors.
The work of the EPA is carried out across four offices:
• Office of Climate, Licensing and Resource Use
• Office of Environmental Enforcement
• Office of Environmental Assessment
• Office of Communications and Corporate Services
The EPA is assisted by an Advisory Committee of twelve
members who meet several times a year to discuss issues
of concern and offer advice to the Board.