Tag Archives: Environmental Protection Agency

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 …