Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
126. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the maximum fine administered for breaches under the Air Pollution Act 1987 (Solid Fuels) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 529 of 2022); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10505/24]
View answer127. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of enforcement notices and prosecutions reported by local authorities in each of the years 2019 to 2023, and to date in 2024, under the updated Solid Fuel Regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10506/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together.
My Department does not compile or maintain statistics in relation to the levels of enforcement actions by Local Authorities under the Solid Fuels Regulations. Local Authorities report this information as part of their enforcement activities under environmental legislation to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on an annual basis.
Details of Local Authority environmental enforcement are available from the series of Local Authority Environmental Performance Assessment reports compiled by the EPA. These reports can be accessed at: Compliance & Enforcement: Public Authorities Publications | Environmental Protection Agency (epa.ie)
Further questions in this regard may be addressed directly to the EPA or to individual Local Authorities.
Prosecutions under the Solid Fuel Regulations are brought in accordance with the Air Pollution Act, 1987 which provides for a range of fines of up to €500,000 on conviction on indictment.
