The Department of the Environment has published draft guidelines for planning authorities on carrying out environmental impact assessment. The purpose of the guidelines is to provide practical guidance to planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála and result in greater consistency in the methodology adopted by consent authorities. The public consultation period runs until Friday 14...

Directive 2006/11/EC on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment of the Community defines Standards for Phosphorus in waters.  Known as the Dangerous Substances Directive it replaces Directive 76/464/EEC. The directive is implemented in Ireland by S.I.684/2007 Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007

The prior assessment of Plans and Projects is regarded as a key step in the move towards sustainable development within the European Union.  The Amsterdam Treaty of 1997 confirmed sustainable development as an objective of the EU and required that environmental protection be integrated into all EU policies.  The SEA Directive, adopted in June 2001,...

Revised directives on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and major accident hazards (Seveso III) have been published following final approval by EU ministers. The recast WEEE directive applies tougher national collection targets The existing collection target – at least four kilograms per person from private households – will remain in place until the end...

The Water Pollution Act (1977) defined a ‘trade effluent’ as an effluent, “which is discharged from premises used for carrying on any trade or industry (including mining) but does not include domestic sewage or storm water”. All ‘trade effluents’ must be licensed. Discharges of domestic-type wastewater (sewage) from commercial and industrial premises to municipal sewers...

The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) is a law which aims to protect and improve the quality of all waters throughout the European Union. The key objectives of the Directive are to: protect and enhance the status of aquatic ecosystems promote sustainable use of water provide for sufficient supply of good quality water provide enhanced protection and...

The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012  requires water services authorities to maintain a register of domestic waste water treatment systems in their functional areas. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) has developed a central on-line registration system and will manage the system on a shared-service basis for the water services authorities. Under the Act, owners...

Clare County Council is increasing its monitoring of illegal waste activity such as fly-tipping, backyard burning of waste and illegal waste. Enforcement work is carried out regularly and in conjunction with other local authorities, the Gardaí and other state agencies, while the Council also is utilising CCTV surveillance to detect illegal waste activity. Clare County Council...

Tourism is a resource-intensive industry that leaves a big footprint on the environment.  More and more European hotels are thus adopting environmental management schemes which add value regarding: Legal compliance with environmental legislation; The measurement and evaluation of environmental performance against objectives and targets; Continuous improvement of that environmental performance; Strong employee involvement; Environmental core indicators facilitating...

The WATER SERVICES (AMENDMENT) ACT 2012 has been published wherein provision has been made to require households to register their septic tanks by February 1 2013. Registration can be completed online at www.protectourwater.ie The act incorporates new rules on septic tanks which will oblige homeowners to make sure they are working properly and not polluting...