The integrated licensing system established under Part V of the Waste Management Act, 1996, is intended to ensure that high environmental standards apply in relation to the establishment, management, operation, closure and aftercare of licensable waste facilities.
Implementation of the licensing system, including detailed assessment of the potential environmental impact of licensable activities, is a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency.
A waste licence may not be granted by the agency unless it is satisfied that:
any emission from the activity concerned will comply with any relevant standard or emission limit value, the activity concerned will not cause environmental pollution, the best available technology not entailing excessive costs will be used to minimise emissions, the applicant (if he or she is not a local authority) is a fit and proper person to hold a waste licence, and the applicant can discharge all financial commitments and liabilities likely to arise from the licensed activity.
The agency must provide for public access to all relevant documentation and information, consult widely regarding licence applications and proposed licensing decisions, and have regard to any third party submissions or objections.