Vol. 534 No. 4
152 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the adequacy and efficacy of existing legislation in the area of environmental protection, particularly in relation to those provisions which deal with the co-ordination of responsibilities between the Environmental Protection Agency, local authorities and health boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10831/01]
Ireland has a modern and extensive legislative framework for environmental protection. While I am, in general, satisfied with its adequacy and efficacy, there is a continuing need to keep the legislation under review and to bring forward new proposals as appropriate. At present, a Bill to amend the Waste Management Act, 1996, to ensure the completion of waste management planning in compliance with EU obligations, and for other purposes, is before the Oireachtas. I have also signalled my intention to bring forward an Environmental Protection Agency (Amendment) Bill to amend the licensing provisions of both the EPA Act, 1992, and the Waste Management Act, 1996, for the purpose of giving full effect to an EU directive on integrated pollution prevention and control; there is also an extensive programme of secondary legislation to give effect to EU Directives in Ireland.
The Environmental Protection Agency is required by law to keep itself informed of the policies and objectives of public authorities whose functions have, or may have, a bearing on matters with which the agency is concerned. I am not aware that the existing body of environmental protection legislation has given rise to operational difficulties for the EPA, local authorities or the health boards.
