The EPA have published their Strategic Plan for 2013 – 2015.  The plan sets out the priority actions that the EPA will take between now and 2015 in its role as environmental regulator, knowledge provider and advocate for the environment. Clean Water, Preventing Environmental Damage, providing Accessible Information and influencing Behavioural Change are four of the nine...

Environmental Liability Directive [ELD] 2004/35/EC came into force across Europe during 2009 where failure to comply with pollution prevention guidelines can result in fines and more significantly reformation / reinstatement costs which can run into many millions of Euro or Dollars. Unlike earlier directives, the EID applies to all businesses large and small alike and...

Everybody has heard of major environmental disasters and the legal, public relation and financial costs to high profile business, right!! Less well known are the easily avoidable environmental issues and simple remedies relating to all types of business, be they SMEs or large Multi-National Companies, which add significant cost to businesses every year. Hands Up...

New rules that entered into force on 13th August 2012 will see EU citizens better informed about major threats posed by industrial plants in their immediate vicinity. The rules are part of an update of the Seveso Directive, a key instrument in industrial risk management. The Directive obliges Member States to draw up emergency plans...

Over the last 20+ years we have developed our understanding of the many rules and regulation governing water quality and how they are implemented in Ireland and which our clients need to both be aware of and comply with, including: Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977-1990 EPA Acts 1990 – 2011 The Water Framework Directive...

Albert Einstein is reported to have said “Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.” In our experience there are a number of more accurate quotations relating to common sense which directly relate to how we work with our clients: Science is nothing, but trained and organized common sense – Thomas Huxley...

Over the years the first thing we have always looked for on projects is the technical data which is required to establish the nature of the issue to be addressed.  This data will provide the basis for addressing the clients requirements including, licence requirements, environmental management and cost-benefit control. Way too often we have found...

The EPA has launched a new iPhone app to encourage people to report environmental pollution. You can download the App now from the iTunes App Store (search iTunes for: ‘See it Say it’) or visit http://goo.gl/gOJMa or scan the QR code here. Then, if you spot  environmental pollution or dumping, simpl open the App, take a...

Revised regulations on decorative paints and solvents were published on January 1st 2013.  Re-sprayers and dry cleaners are required by law to register with their local authority, and have their premises inspected to ensure that they use appropriate products, dispose of waste in an appropriate manner and take measures to protect the environment. The EPA...

On 17 December 2012, the EU’s Environment Ministers adopted conclusions setting out key actions to improve governance by those involved in managing water resources Improving land use Addressing water pollution Increasing water efficiency and resilience. The conclusions are the Council’s first response to the recent Commission communication“A blueprint to safeguard Europe’s water resources” and underline...