How to make an Objection?

When the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues a proposed decision on a permit application, anyone can make an objection to it in the form of written comments or observations. 

A valid objection must:

  • be made in writing;
  • state the name and address of the objector;
  • the reference number of the permit application; and
  • the grounds for the objection and the reasons, consideration and arguments on which they are based.

An objection must be accompanied by:

  • Any documents you consider necessary and relevant; and 
  • The appropriate fee.

Once an objection has been made, you cannot elaborate further on it in later correspondance.

Who can make an objection?

Any person or body (including the applicant) can object to our proposed decision (PD). 

If you make an objection you may also request an oral hearing of their objection. The request must be made in writing and be accompanied by an oral hearing request fee in addition to the objection fee.

When and how can an objection be made?

You can lodge and objection with us within the one month of our giving notice of our proposed decision.  Note that the period 24 December to 1 January inclusive is disregarded when calculating this period.

An objection must be made by either:

  • Sending it by prepaid post to the our headquarters or
  • Giving it to an EPA employee at our HQ at Johnstown Castle Estate, County Wexford, during office hours, 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

We have no discretionary power to accept objections received outside the set period.

How will I know what the EPA's Decision is?

Anyone who makes a valid objection is copied with our decision. We are required to publish a notice of our decision in a newspaper within seven days of the issue of our decision.

What about an Oral Hearing?

If you make a valid objection you can request an Oral Hearing.

What are the Fees?

The fees  for objections and oral hearing are:

Applicant/Licensee/Third Party €253

Oral Hearing Requests €126

Learn More:

Find out more about how to request an Oral Hearing

For further information contact our Environmental Licensing Programme at:

Office of Climate, Licensing & Resource Use
PO Box 3000
Johnstown Castle Estate
County Wexford
Telephone Locall 1890 33 55 99 or 053 91 60600
Email licensing@epa.ie