State faces fine over environment failures

THE Government’s action in taking the side of landowners and vested interests in planning legislation could cost the country several million euro in fines, warned An Taisce.

The European Commission announced it is taking the unusual step of taking the country to the European Court for the second time to collect fines because the Government has failed to adequately protect the natural environment and archeological heritage.

The court ruled two years ago that EU environmental legislation the country first signed up to 25 years ago has not been properly introduced into national law.