Enforcement of pollution laws lacking in Ireland because of costs involved in taking action, judge warns

The Climate Bar Association last year proposed a new one-stop environmental court to deal with everyday issues like wildlife crime, illegal hedge cutting, and air and water pollution

A Supreme Court judge has warned environmental law enforcement is lacking in Ireland because of a lack of resources and significant costs associated with taking action.

Environmental litigation brought by everyday people should have an important role to play but is “all too brief”, Mr Justice Maurice Collins told the Climate Bar Association’s law conference in Cork.