Year: 2023
EPA submission in response to the public consultation by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation on the European Research and Innovation (R&I) Framework Programmes 2014-2027 and the Strategic Plan of Horizon Europe (2025-2027). The EPA has been funding environmental research since 1994. In our response, we strongly advocate for continued and strengthened importance being placed on research for policy and knowledge transfer to support the development and implementation of robust policy. We also summarise key areas where the EPA has been active within the European R&I Framework Programmes and the development of the European Research Area (ERA).
Year: 2023
EPA submission in response to the consultation by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications on the Bioeconomy Action Plan Consultation and Discussion Document. Submissions will help inform the final content of the Bioeconomy Action Plan 2023 – 2025 and longer-term policy development in relation to the bioeconomy.
Year: 2023
EPA submission in response to the Public Strategy Consultation by the National Parks and Wildlife Service on its Draft Strategy Statement 2023-2025. In the submission the EPA recognises the need for an appropriately resourced and focused NPWS, with clearly defined strategic priorities and objectives, in the context of the urgent biodiversity and climate crises. The NPWS is an important stakeholder of the EPA’s. We cooperate and coordinate on several common work areas in the interest of protecting Ireland’s environment. Points raised in the submission include those on collaboration, implementation and enforcement of legislation, the Natura 2000 network and regulatory processes. Further observations are included in an Appendix.
Year: 2023
EPA submission relating to the draft Arterial Drainage Maintenance Activities 2022-2027 and associated SEA environmental report. Published 23rd Jan 2023.
Year: 2023
EPA submission in response to the initial consultation by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media on a Sustainable Tourism Policy. In its submission, the EPA welcomes the opportunity for Ireland, through the Policy, to continue to move towards a more environmentally sustainable tourism sector. It emphasises the importance of the new Policy aligning with and supporting the delivery of Ireland’s existing national commitments regarding environmental protection, as set out in plans and programmes such as the National Planning Framework and the Climate Action Plan 2021. The EPA states that it is important to ensure that environmental protection is prioritised in all aspects of the development of this new tourism policy. The provision of adequate critical infrastructure, promotion of a circular economy and support towards achieving the 2050 Climate Neutrality goal should all be central to the development of the new policy.
Year: 2023
EPA submission in response to the public consultation by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan. The submission includes some general points for consideration as well as more specific observations on the Draft Plan.
Year: 2022
EPA submission in response to the public consultation by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the development of a national Horticulture Strategy. General observations are set out in the submission letter, while specific comments on the “Opportunities for the Irish Horticultural Sector” report are included in the Appendix.
Year: 2022
EPA submission on the Draft Ireland’s Forest Strategy Implementation Plan and associated SEA Environmental Report.
Year: 2022
EPA input to the early stage of strategy development by the Shared Vision, Forest Strategy and Forestry Programme.
Year: 2022
EPA submission on the Draft National Roads 2040 Strategy and associated SEA Environmental Report. Published 06th October 2022.
Year: 2022
EPA submission on the Draft National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development 2030 and SEA Environmental Report published 04th October 2022.
Year: 2022
EPA submission in response to the public consultation by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on sourcing science advice in Ireland. The EPA’s main points on sourcing science advice are set out in the submission and expanded upon in the Appendix, in answer to the specific questions in the consultation paper.
Year: 2022
EPA submission on the Draft Seafood Development Programme 2021-2027 and SEA Environmental Report published 8th September 2022.
Year: 2022
EPA submission in response to the public consultation by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. In its submission, the EPA welcomes the prioritisation of the development of an integrated hydrogen strategy for Ireland in line with Ireland’s Climate Action Plan. It also welcomes the prioritisation of green hydrogen production, sustainably produced from renewable sources.
Year: 2022
EPA submission in response to the consultation from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications regarding the Review of the National Adaptation Framework.
Year: 2022
EPA submission in response to the consultation on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine regarding the implementation of the Food Safety and Food Authenticity Strategy and the proposed ‘To-Be’ Report on a Reform Programme for the Better Regulation of Food in Ireland.
Year: 2022
EPA submission in response to the public consultation by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Marine Strategy Part 3: Programme of Measures. This response focuses mainly on highlighting relevant assessments in the EPA’s recent State of Environment report and includes specific comments on Descriptors 8 and 9.
Year: 2022
EPA submission on the Draft National Cycle Network Plan and SEA Environmental Report, published 2nd June 2022.
Year: 2022
EPA submission in response to the public consultation by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC). In its submission, the EPA notes that air pollution presents the biggest environmental health risk and is a global threat leading to large impacts on ecosystems in Ireland and right across Europe. The EPA considers these points as critical to the success of the draft Strategy: 1) World Health Organisation Guidelines 2021 2) Consistent and increased enforcement and 3) Implementation.
Year: 2022
EPA submission to public consultation by Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the draft River Basin Management Plan 2022-2027 and associated SEA environmental report.
