Environment « Thurles Information

EPA Welcomes Judgement In Relation To Cessation Of Extraction Of Peat By Harte Peat.

The EPA welcomes the High Court Judgement of Ms Justice Siobhán Phelan today, in the matter of the EPA’s application for injunctive relief for the cessation of the extraction of peat by Harte Peat, from a large area of peatlands in Counties Westmeath, Cavan and Monaghan.

The Judgment also concerned Harte Peat’s judicial review challenging the EPA’s decision not to consider a licence application.

The High Court granted the injunctive relief sought by the EPA, in respect of certain areas from which Harte Peat is extracting peat. The Court held that the public interest in ensuring that peat extraction is carried out in compliance with both domestic and EU environmental law is the single most significant factor warranting the granting of the Order sought by the EPA.

The Court also indicated that it proposed to grant Harte Peat declaratory relief in respect of inadequate reasons provided by the EPA in its decision on the licence application.

However, the Court held that the decision of the EPA not to consider the licence application was correct.

The EPA is currently considering the implications of this Judgment, including its implications for the EPA’s enforcement of other unauthorised peat extraction activities.

The Judgement in this case can be found HERE.

Citizen Scientists Measure Pollution From Traffic.

The “Clear Air Together Citizen Science Project”, led by the EPA and the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce, has worked with 1000 Dublin citizen scientists, to measure air pollution from traffic in their local areas.
The results clearly show that higher nitrogen dioxide levels are linked with higher traffic volumes.
The results will be used by the EPA to to support air quality modelling in Dublin and will be used by Dublin local authorities to support air quality management.
None of the results indicate a breach of EU air quality limit (40 µg/m3).
Clean Air Together is moving to Cork in late 2022.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and An Taisce’s Environmental Education Unit, this evening hosted a webinar with the citizen scientists of the Clean Air Together project, to present the results of the study.

During October 2021, these citizen scientists measured levels of the harmful air pollutant, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). The information gathered by them will now be used by the EPA to assist with air quality modelling and forecasting.

Commenting on the project, Mr Andy Fanning, Programme Manager in EPA, said: “Clean Air Together is a real success story for Citizen Science, with almost one thousand residents in Dublin measuring the levels of air pollution in their local areas. While the EPA has fixed air pollution monitoring sites in Dublin, this project has given us data about many areas that we are currently unable to monitor. This is the first time such a study has been run in Ireland and we are thrilled to see the level of interest. Unfortunately, we had to turn some people away and very much hope we can find ways to work with them again in the future. We simply couldn’t have completed this project without Dublin’s citizen scientists”.

Results showed that, while NO2 levels across Dublin city and county were generally good, higher levels were found near busy roads. This is not unexpected, as NO2 comes mainly from traffic. None of the levels reported in this project exceeded the EU annual average limit (40 µg/m3), but it should be noted that lower levels of NO2, are better for everyone’s health. All results are available on the Clean Air Together project site, HERE.

Ms Sabrina Moore, Clean Air Together project manager An Taisce’s Environmental Education Unit added: “The level of interest in this project shows people’s growing awareness of the importance of good air quality in their city, and a genuine interest in helping to protect their environment. So, what can we all do for our air quality? Where possible we should try to limit our personal car use by using public transport more often, or by walking or cycling. Continued investments in these infrastructures will make these choices easier. By shifting our behaviour we can make a difference and ensure that air quality is healthier across the city”.

For further information contact: Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office 053-9170770 (24 hours) or media@epa.ie

Flying Car Confirmed Fit To Fly, Following European Certification.

Before rushing out to buy your electric car or vehicle fitted with self-driving car technology, first take note that a flying car has at last completed over 70 hours of meticulous testing to receive an official certificate of airworthiness.

The vehicle, which received the certificate from the Transport Authority of Slovakia, in central Europe, has completed more than 200 take-offs and landings, deeming it fit to fly.

Questions Being Asked Locally Here In Thurles.

Is this the reason Mr Jackie Cahill TD and Mr Michael Lowry TD, never bothered, over the last 25 year period, to ask the governments to support and implement the Thurles Ring-Road?
Will this address the issue of local elected councillors failing to fill potholes in our streets?
Will we have to pay Air Tax as well as Road Tax?
Will Ryan Air and Aer Lingus now become redundant?
Will fuel tanks be big enough to get us to Lanzarote for the weekend?
Are passports, Covid certificates and Passenger locator forms now obsolete?
How will public private partnerships collect [through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII], their motorway tolls?
What new carbon taxes will the Green Party introduce to halt diesel engine exhaust contaminants/emissions?
Will Gardaí now be given fighter planes instead of squad cars, to intercept drunken and drug addicted drivers?

It took some 8 specialists over 100,000 hours to metamorphose the final mathematical specs into a fully functioning prototype.

The AirCar’s recent accreditation means it is now one step closer to becoming mass produced across Europe.

In development since 2017 and boasting a 1.6L BMW engine, the certified model is now officially in line with the standards of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Sure as my Granny, Eliza Jane, used to say; “You don’t need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute if you intend to skydive twice.”

EPA Enforcement Efforts Targeted Unauthorised Peat Extraction, Waste Management & Water Quality.

The EPA carried out 1,295 inspections at EPA licensed sites during the year, a 19% increase, compared with 2020.
The EPA carried out a number of targeted enforcement campaigns in 2021.
48 inspections at unauthorised peat extraction sites.
41 inspections at waste licensed sites, with a focus on improving fire risk management.
The removal of 14 sites from the EPA’s Water Framework Directive Significant Pressure list.
Eleven sites were identified as National Priority Sites in 2021, a decrease from the twelve sites in 2020. Eight of these 11 National Priority Sites were from the Food & Drink and Intensive Agriculture sectors.

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its annual summary report on the enforcement activities carried out in 2021, along with the list of sites which were designated a National Priority Site during the year.

**The full list of National Priority Sites for 2021**.

This report shows that, despite the ongoing significant challenges and impact of Covid-19, the EPA increased their enforcement activities at industrial and waste licences at the 840 licenced installations throughout Ireland.

The report published today highlights the main issues at licensed activities during 2021 and outlines what actions the EPA took to enforce environmental conditions at these activities.

Individuals or companies who operate either without an EPA licence or breach that licence, were targeted by the EPA for enforcement.
The role of the public in reporting non-compliant or illegal operations to the EPA is a vital tool in helping us to address the environmental issues that may result and we encourage the public to report any concerns to the EPA.

Commenting on the publication of the annual summary report, Dr. Tom Ryan, Director, EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement said:
“The EPA focused its enforcement efforts in 2021 on tackling unauthorised extraction of peat, improving water quality downstream of licenced sites and the safe and appropriate management of waste.
Our enforcement activities are risk based and are targeted at sites that are not complying with their EPA licence requirements. We carried out almost 1,300 inspections of industrial and waste licensed activities and a further 55 inspections of unauthorised activities which require a licence or must cease operation.”

The EPA has also published the latest National Priority Sites List for 2021. The number of National Priority Sites in 2021 (11) was down slightly when compared with 2020 (12).
The EPA will continue to focus its resources where they are most needed and to ensure compliance at all sites.

Commenting on the publication, Mr. Darragh Page, Programme Manager, EPA Office of Environmental Enforcement said:
“The eleven sites on the National Priority Sites List in 2021 were the subject of targeted enforcement action. This represents around one per cent of the total sites licensed by the EPA. Sites from the food and drink and intensive agriculture sector made up almost three quarters of the sites on the National Priority Sites List during 2021.
These sectors must improve if Ireland is to support its green image of sustainable food and drink production.
Our enforcement objective is to ensure these sites resolve the environmental issues and for the sites to return to compliance.”

The report ‘Industrial and Waste Licence Enforcement Summary 2021’ is now available on the EPA HERE.

EPA Statement On IPCC Working Group 2 Report.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) statement on the publication of the IPCC Working Group 2 report – Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability.

This IPCC Report highlights the interlinked threat posed by climate change for human health ecosystems and biodiversity.
The roles and benefits of planned adaptation in reducing climate exposure and vulnerability are highlighted in the report, as well as the need to avoid short term adaptation responses which could – in the longer term – amplify climate risks.
Globally, many pathways remain to achieve climate resilience and a sustainable future, and the report outlines the enabling factors and decision making needed.
The report emphasises the need for Ireland and the EU to achieve its policy objectives of climate neutrality and climate resilience by 2050.
The timeframe for action is getting shorter and there are limits to what we can do through adaptation alone.

The EPA welcomes the publication of the Working Group II report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability, as part of its 6th Assessment Report.

The report shows the unequivocal evidence of climate change impacts around the world. These impacts are evident in human and natural systems. It recognises that delaying action on adaptation and mitigation will miss a brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all.
Ms Laura Burke, (EPA Director General), said: “This report shows us what we have to do in adapting to the current and future impacts of climate change and ensuring that we are resilient to its impacts. Ireland is also facing the impacts of a changing climate as detailed in The Status of Ireland’s Climate report which was published in 2021 by the Environmental Protection Agency, Met Eireann and Marine Institute.
The EPA has, with other funding bodies, supported the development of climate projections so that we can enable planned adaptation. This information is available to support the sustainable and planned adaptation measures that are highlighted as necessary in the IPCC report.”

Commenting on the report Mr Frank McGovern, (EPA Chief Climate Scientist), said: “This report highlights the need for the integration of climate change adaptation into decision making on planning and development across all sectors of the economy and society and across all regions. This can be enabled under the Climate Action Plan 2021 and National Adaptation Framework.”

The EPA leads in the development and co-ordination of national climate change research in Ireland. It works with other agencies and research bodies in the development of key climate related observations, including observations of greenhouse gases, aerosols, river flows and freshwater levels.