I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 317 together.
Under the Environmental Protection Agency Acts 1992 and 2003, activities that have potential for significant environmental pollution are regulated by means of integrated licensing by the EPA. Responsibility for the regulation of industry within the framework of the legislation lies with the agency. The Minister is statutorily precluded from exercising any power or control on the performance, in particular circumstances, by the agency of a function assigned to it under the Act.
Accordingly, it is a matter for the agency to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place for compliance monitoring in respect of relevant activities. Enforcement of licence conditions and the allocation of resources, including personnel, to the tasks arising is also a matter for the agency. The recent establishment of the Office of Environmental Enforcement as a distinct and dedicated unit of the agency will bring an enhanced focus to licence enforcement generally.