EPA - Ireland's Environment, An Integrated Assessment - 2020

Ireland’s Environment – An Integrated Assessment 2020 Only 2 out of the 20 sites that were National Priority Sites during 2017 were on the list at the end of the fourth quarter of 2019. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the system in driving compliance and reflects significant environmental improvements in compliance at 18 sites. Figure 10.13  National Priority Sites summary details in 2019 and 2020 National Priority Sites 12 Sites were an National Priority Site in 2020 28% of all non-compliances recorded for all licensed sites to end of Q3 2020 were for National Priority Sites 3 Sites were National Priority Sites for the first three quarters in 2020 52% of all complaints received in 2020 were in relation to National Priority Sites; odour and noise were the key issues for the public 11 The Food and Drink Sector (4) and the Waste Sector (3) had the most National Priority Sites during 2019 The food and drink (agri-food) sector continues to face challenges in maintaining environmental compliance as the industry adapts to increased agricultural production and intensification under the Harvest 2020 and Foodwise 2025 strategies. Although this sector again had the poorest compliance record in 2018 and 2019, it should be noted that there are many operators within this sector that operate in compliance and manage their facilities in an environmentally sound manner. Financial Provisions for the Remediation and Proper Closure of Industrial Sites The prevention and remediation of environmental damage from the closure of authorised activities are strategic priorities for the EPA. In recent years, the EPA has made significant progress in ensuring licensees make financial provision to cover environmental liabilities at licensed sites. Financial provision is required to pay for site remediation, aftercare and any potential clean-up that may be required, for example following an incident. Having adequate financial provision in place is essential to manage environmental risks and to minimise the exposure of the state to the cost of remediating environmental damage if operators fail to do so. The total costs agreed for the environmental liabilities of EPA licenced sites were €912 million by the end of August 2020 and the amount of financial provisions in place was €792 million (Figure 10.14). Figure 10.14  Financial provision in place November 2014 to August 2020 (Source: EPA) Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Aug 20 Year Liability costings agreed & FP secured for EPA licensed sites Liability costings agreed €0 M €100 M €200 M €300 M €400 M €500 M €600 M €700 M €800 M €900 M Financial Provision 272