A series of public consultations are open to the public on a major strategic plan for the future development and management of marine-related industry and tourism along Ireland’s largest estuary, the Shannon Estuary. The Draft Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary has been commissioned by a multi-agency steering group comprising Clare County Council...

The Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, announced on 17 December 2012 that he is increasing the grant for Group Sewerage Schemes to €6,500 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser. The current rate of grant available for group sewerage schemes is €2,031.58 per house or 75% of...

The European Investment Fund and Microfinance Ireland have signed a guarantee agreement aimed at supporting micro-enterprises and self-employed entrepreneurs in Ireland. The guarantee is given under Progress Microfinance, which is managed by the European Investment Fund on behalf of the European Commission and the European Investment Bank. Microfinance Ireland can provide loans of less than...

Ireland has named securing agreement with MEPs on Europe’s seventh environmental action plan (7EAP) as the top environmental priority of its EU six-month presidency term. The Irish presidency also aims to ask for council conclusions on a new EU climate adaptation strategy, which the European Commission is likely to bring forward soon following on from...

The Drinking Water Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption was implemented in Ireland by S.I. No. 278/2007  – European Communities (Drinking Water) (No. 2) Regulations 2007 These Regulations prescribe quality standards to be applied, and related supervision and enforcement procedures in relation to supplies of drinking water, including requirements as to sampling frequency,...

As part of the Action Plans for Jobs 2012 Forfás has reviewed 159 licences for key sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, food and drink, retail, hospitality and leisure, waste management, road haulage and construction. The key findings from the review include the relevant licensing authorities to: Proceed towards development of integrated licensing systems for retail,...

All businesses have legal and corporate requirements relating to water and wastewater. Businesses can save time and money and minimize potential environmental liability by ensuring that they understand: Legal & corporate requirements Their duties & obligations Why they is important Who is responsible What to recognize What actions to take What and How to report...

Litter survey: illegal graffiti was a major concern during 2012 for Limerick city, which ranked 38th in the  Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) litter survey The cleanliness of our towns and cities has improved since measuring started in 2002, when only two in the country were better than ‘moderately littered’. Now all but seven are...

Dangerous goods are substances and articles which have been identified as hazardous for transport and present a risk to people, property and the environment. The ADR Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road A Guide For Business has been arranged to provide a comprehensive summary of the legal provisions of the ADR (European Agreement Concerning the International...

New information sheets, entitled “Storage of Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories” and“Storage of Hazardous Chemicals in Warehouses & Drumstores” have been developed to provide guidance on the safe management of stored chemicals with hazardous properties such as toxic, flammable, corrosive, etc. The information sheets Advise on how such chemicals should be appropriately segregated according to hazard...