Tag Archives: Environmental Protection Agency

THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has “reservations” with the method statement for phase two of the clean-up operation of asbestos pipes at a disused reservoir near a Kilkee man’s home, it has been claimed. PJ Linnane said unless residents living close to the dump sites are provided with a full method statement by Clare County Council, they will stop contractors from starting phase two of the clean-up work on Monday (tomorrow). “I met with some of the locals over the weekend and a decision was taken that if the council does not provide us with the documents, the only option open to us is to bar the site on Monday and lock and chain the access to the contractors,” he said. Clare County Council said in a statement that a medical report received by the local authority and made publicly available states there is “no evidence of risk” to the public, arising from the current state of the sites in …

Real-time air quality results for Clare are available on the Environmental Protection Agency website. Results are updated hourly on the website,ww.airquality.epa.ie and Clare residents can log on at any time to check whether the current air quality in their locality is good, fair or poor. In reminding the public of this resource, the EPA is urging Clare householders to consider air quality when making choices about home heating and transport, as both of these activities can negatively impact air quality in Clare. The appeal comes as the EPA has released their most recent air quality report, Air Quality in Ireland 2013 – Key Indicators of Ambient Air Quality. The report indicates that while Ireland’s air quality is currently among the best in Europe, air quality remains at risk from emissions generated from driving, particularly in larger urban areas, and from the burning of domestic solid fuel for home heating, particularly in small towns and villages not covered by smoky coal …

The Enviormental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned that sites where hazardous waste was disposed of in the past should be identified, assessed and, where necessary, remediated. It is one of the matters addressed in the National Hazardous Waste Management Plan for the years 2014-2020, unveiled this week. The plan sets out the priorities to be pursued over the next six years and beyond to improve the management of Ireland’s hazardous waste. Dr Jonathan Derham, EPA programme manager said society has an important role to play to reduce the risks posed by hazardous waste to human health and the environment. “We need improved collection and treatment of hazardous wastes from households and small businesses. In addition, product manufacturers and distributers of products that are hazardous when discarded need to take a greater role in the life-cycle management of these wastes, including prevention,” he said. The plan makes 27 recommendations, including the one in respect of remediation of sites where hazardous waste has been …

By Owen Ryan THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was the subject of stinging criticism as a foul smell plagued Shannon in 2013 and the organisation has now been berated in the Seanad as “another example of the watchdog falling asleep at the wheel”. Senator John Whelan made the claim as he spoke about the Enva plant in Portlaoise, which, he claimed, is causing serious pollution there. There have been complaints of odours at the Portlaoise plant. Enva also has a plant in Shannon. Speaking in the Seanad under privilege, Senator Whelan said, “I have documentary proof that the harmful and hazardous emissions, some of which are carcinogens, from the Enva Ireland plant in Portlaoise measure up to 32 times and in some instances up to 1,000 times more than the accepted levels as set down by the Environmental Protection Agency and other authorities.” He also claimed, “the EPA is colluding with the company in what is a cover up of …