EU demands Ireland fined over water pollution
The European Commission is taking Ireland back to the court to demand the state is fined for what the EU believes is systemic and prolonged water pollution. The European Commission…
Environmentalists criticise EU nitrates derogation
Environmentalists have criticised a decision to give Ireland another derogation from strict rules in the EU’s nitrates directive. The European Environment Bureau (EEB) which works in Brussels on behalf of…
Ireland gets nitrate derogation but stricter limits apply
The EU’s Nitrates Committee has approved Ireland’s request for a further three-year derogation to EU water pollution law. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD said Ireland…
Government pledges faster wind farm approval process
The government has pledged to speed up the approval of major infrastructure projects after criticism from the European Union. A report by the former Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Draghi,…
Environment Agency calls for better port and airport air pollution monitoring
Air pollution remains Europe’s largest environmental health risk despite a big fall in the number of deaths across Europe, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned. A new analysis by…
EU to propose three-year extension to Ireland’s nitrates derogation
The European Commission has prepared the legal text to renew Ireland’s nitrates derogation. It is understood that the EU will propose an extension for another three years. The document has…
Households producing too much waste
Households across Ireland and the EU are producing too much waste and reusing and recycling too little, the EU’s independent auditors have warned. Ireland produces amongst the most waste per…
EU agency warns of bird flu ‘surge’
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued an advisory for enhanced surveillance and stricter biosecurity measures to try to counter a “surge” in bird flu cases across Europe. Between…
Court rules Ireland has failed to fulfil EU water law
The European Court of Justice has ruled that Ireland has failed to fulfil its obligations towards clean ground and surface water as required under EU law. The European Commission has…
Rising levels of prostate and testicular cancers ‘linked to chemical pollution’
Rising levels of cancers in men could be linked to chemical pollution, that’s according to the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL). Across Europe, cases of prostate and testicular cancers appear…