Green Party ties reform of EPA to coalition deals
The call came as the party handed over a petition to Environment Minister Dick Roche, containing 5,000 signatures, calling for reform of the EPA.
Laying out EPA reform as a core issue for the Greens, Finance spokesman Dan Boyle noted that none of the agency's board of directors has "ever been a person with an environmental background in an NGO".
In particular, Mr Boyle focused on the board's appointment of Laura Burke 18 months ago. Ms Burke was Indaver's project manager for both the Ringaskiddy and Carranstown incinerator projects a position the Greens believe is a conflict of interest.
"She was an employee of Indaver Ireland and was responsible for putting together their application for incinerators in both Cork and Meath and was subsequently appointed to the EPA while those applications remain ongoing. Both applications are still within the courts system," he said.
Mr Boyle, who was primarily responsible for collecting the 5,000 petition signatures, mostly in Cork, said the issue would have to be addressed by any potential coalition partner.
"Our participation in Government will be dependent on the type of changes that will happen in the EPA," he said.
