Ireland fined €3.5m for failing to comply with environmental law

Ireland has been fined €3.5m by the European Court of Justice for failing to comply with environmental law. In two judgements the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Ireland has to pay financial penalties for failure to comply with earlier Court judgments that established a breach of EU environmental law. This is...

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Urban Wastewater Directive: Parameters and Quality Values

Directive 98/15/EC replaces directive 91/271/EEC and provides standards for treatment for urban waste water. The directive is implemented in Ireland by S.I. 254/2001 Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 2001 and S.I. 440/2004 Urban Waste Water Treatment (Amendment) Regulations, 2004 Parameter & Quality Values ECOS Environmental Consultants Limited

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Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Statement

The obligations under Irish law in respect of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) are derived from obligations incurred as a result of membership of the European Community within the terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act and Regulations. An EIA is to be conducted before consent is given for projects likely...

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Environmental Legislation documents and weblinks

Environmental related legislation documents and weblinks are available on from Envirocentre including: Water Pollution Control as it affects Industry Waste Legislation Environmental Impact Assessment Strategic Environmental Assessment Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Ambient Air Quality Legislation Control of Noise Emissions Control of Major Accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances Regulations (CoMAH) Energy using Products Directive Planning...

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REACH – Prior approval system to use chemicals starts February 2013

The use and marketing of certain dangerous chemicals will (for the first time) be subject to the first elements of a prior approval system as early as February 2013. This system known as Authorisation under REACH requires companies using listed chemicals to apply to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in order to continue to use...

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Priority Substances Directive – Surface Waters

2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy, amending and subsequently repealing Council Directives 82/176/EEC, 83/513/EEC, 84/156/EEC, 84/491/EEC, 86/280/EEC and amending Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council The directive is implemented by S.I. No. 272/2009 – European Communities Environmental...

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Integrated Pollution Control Licence (IPC Licence – Formerly IPPC Licence)

What is an IPC Licence The EPA Act 1992 (as amended) sets out the activities for which an Integrated Pollution Control or IPC Licence is required. An IPC Licence is a singular licence granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  An IPC licence addresses all activities undertaken on site which may impact on the environment...

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The National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTSs) – A Proposed Approach

Domestic waste water disposal accounts for approximately one-third of residences in Ireland.  There are an estimated 497,000 (CSO, 2012) DWWTSs in Ireland treating waste water from single houses not connected to a public sewer system. The Environmental Protection Agency will implement the  The National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems and will incorporate...

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Guidelines on Water Pollution Licencing Legislation

In Ireland, in cases where Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) is not applicable, the control of water pollution is exercised through the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977-1990. City and County councils are the licensing authorities A discharge of wastewater (effluent) to waters (river, stream, lake, estuary etc. and groundwater) or to a municipal sewer...

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Waste Directive: Waste Water Treatment Prevention of Odours and Noise

Directive 91/156/EEC replaces Directive 75/442/EEC on waste and provides for prevention of odour and noise emissions from wastewater treatment facilities. The directive is implemented in Ireland by S.I. 787/2005 European Communities (Waste Water Treatment) (Prevention Of Odours And Noise) Regulations 2005

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