Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020
97. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will respond to the OECD review of the Environmental Protection Agency; his views on whether the current legislative framework for licensing pollution is fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17043/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to respond to the OECD review of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ensure that our legislative framework for licensing pollution is fit for purpose.
The report on the Review was recently completed and is available on the OECD website. I understand that the EPA has already implemented some of the recommendations and that plans are well advanced in relation to others. The remainder will be considered as part of the new EPA corporate strategy currently being developed.
I plan to engage with the EPA in the near future to discuss the OECD Review in the context of Programme for Government commitment, the progress to date in implementing the Review's recommendation, and any implications of the Review for the wider legislative framework for licensing pollution.
