The Government has published the Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011. The Bill provides for a registration and inspection system for septic tanks which is required to address a European Court of Justice ruling against Ireland. Indeed, Ireland is facing a potential lump sum fine of €2.6 million as well as daily fines of €26,000 for … Read more
The European Commission is asking Ireland to take urgent action to improve the implementation of legislation that protects peat bog habitats. The Commission is concerned that peat extraction is ongoing in numerous protected Natura 2000 sites, despite letters sent out by the Irish authorities. Scientists have warned that up to 35% of certain priority habitats … Read more
The EU must put extra legislation in place in the lifetime of the current European Commission if it is to meet its commitment to cut domestic carbon emissions by 80-95% by 2050, the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) has warned. The European Commission recently released its ‘Roadmap to a low carbon society’ which outlined the … Read more
The European Commission has launched a web-based consultation to gather input from a wide range of stakeholders on policy options for the European Union’s post-2010 EU biodiversity strategy. Opinions are sought from citizens, stakeholders, public administrations, business and civil society on issues including the shortcomings of the existing biodiversity policy, the new approach that the … Read more
The enactment of new planning laws will see the beginning this summer of a transformation in how we plan our towns, cities and regions, according to Minister of State with responsibility for Planning and Sustainable Development, Ciaran Cuffe, TD. Staff at the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government will begin work this summer … Read more
As the Dail rises today, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan TD has announced that of the 13 Acts that have been passed during this parliamentary session, five emanated from his Department. The five bills from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources that were signed into law are: • Energy … Read more