EU condemns Ireland for breaking nine green laws

IRELAND was condemned by the European Commission yesterday for breaches of nine major EU environment laws.

The European Commissioner for the Environment, Margot Wallstrom, announced legal action will be taken. The Government had a duty to safeguard Ireland’s “stunning” beauty for future generations, she said.

Several of the cases being brought by Brussels relate to “insufficient protection” of the country’s rich biodiversity.

Natural habitats for birds, whales, shellfish, bats and toads were in danger while illegal dumps continue to threaten the countryside.

A commission statement said Ireland had failed to deal adequately with “unlawful, environmentally damaging waste operations” and had not correctly implemented other EU laws designed to provide citizens with a healthy environment.

In two cases Ireland has already been condemned by the European Court of Justice.

It went on: “These cases concern threats to a nature site and a protected bird species due to overgrazing by sheep, and the prevention of pollution of shellfish waters.

“Through its actions, the commission seeks to ensure that Ireland is correctly applying agreed EU law. Failure to do so means that citizens do not get the level of environmental protection they are entitled to.”

The commission said even the bodies responsible for waste management are guilty of illegal dumping while there is no sign of the guilty being punished.

In Cork, the city council oversaw the construction of the Blackpool bypass, co-funded by the EU. But the debris was illegally dumped at Murphy’s Rock even though the council is also responsible for waste management - “a case of particular concern,” the commission said.

Other blackspots included the wetlands at Granny Ferry in Co Kilkenny - where, despite a previous case, waste has not been removed - and Tinnapark in Co Wicklow.

Waste disposal is a recurring problem for Ireland, especially the lack of proper waste management, permits and regular inspections.

Announcing that she is taking action against Ireland, Ms Wallstrom, a frequent visitor to the country, said, “Ireland’s nature is stunningly beautiful. It is important to preserve this richness for future generations, as well as for the tourists that visit Ireland. Full implementation of EU conservation legislation will ensure this.”

Labour MEP Proinsias de Rossa pointed out that in the five years to 2002, Ireland received 85 first warnings over environmental breaches - more than the combined total made against the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, Finland, Luxembourg and Denmark.

“During this period, with just 1% of the EU population, Ireland was responsible for 16% of all first warnings while we received twice as many first warnings as France, a country with over ten times our population,” said Mr de Rossa.

Two years ago the EU Court of Justice condemned Ireland for allowing serious overgrazing by sheep on Nephin Beg mountain in Mayo, threatening the Red Grouse birds’ environment, but nothing has changed.

Even valuable shellfish beds around the coast are in danger because the Government has not implemented proper programmes to reduce pollution.

A spokesperson for the Department of the Environment said they were working with the commission on a number of the issues.